Horse bow, photo shoot building and advice

[hedgeapple]

I am a photographer and love building bows.  So last summer I started combining these two passions in a Primitive Archry series for potential gallery exhibits.  So, I need help and advice on building a horse bow and how to pose the model for the shoot.

I plan to use osage, I know it's not very authentic, but it's bendable properties will probably give me the best chance of success.  This only needs to be a 20 or 25 pound bow.  Otherwise, the model will not be able to draw it.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have searched horse bows. This is what I've come up with so far.  Short 48" or so. Reset handle, r/d design.  The belly looks to be rounded.

Photo style techniques. Shot from the chest with a pinch string draw.  Bow canted quite a bit.  Shor draw less than 24"

[Parnell]

Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers - Volume 2.  Allely & Hamm.

Good luck and have fun.

[hedgeapple]

Thanks Parnell.  I'll try to find it.

[Carson (CMB)]

There are lots of variations on horse bows out there.  Plains Indians of NA, or asiatic style would be the two main groups, I would think.  Are you thinking of osage with sinew?  horn belly?  I would say the light target weight will help you succeed.  Good luck!

[hedgeapple]

CMB, I am looking for Plains Indian, not horn bow, but osage.  I'll really like to finish this up in the next 2 to 3 weeks  So sinew is not the best option do to lack of curing time.  I could put it in the hot box, though.  Take in mind the model will probably only be drawing the bow 18 to 22 inches.

[LivingElemental]

Get a model who has some muscle tone. Elbow tendons like steel cables, pulling a 40# recurve while on horseback. I would beat puppies for such a woman, and I loves me some puppies.

[MWirwicki]

If you're crunched on time, the bit of time it takes to cure sinew may hinder your deadline.  If you do an all wood (osage) bow and since you mentioned 48" draw, I would make it a bend-in-the-handle design.  It doesn't necessarily have to be a r/d design. 

At 48, you should be able to draw it 24", if properly tillered.  A 24" drawlength is plenty for a horse bow.  If you're only seeking 20-25 lbs, start out about an inch wide and after about mid-limb, taper out to the tips as narrow as you are comfortable with.  Good Luck!