Mongolia is a great land for the horse, spacious, with
very few paved roads, and with no barriers. Especially, the
horse remains a cultural mean of interaction still used
by local people and a local transport. A mean of
transport that does not pollute, which is not necessarily
easy (we get nothing for free) but gives you a feeling of
freedom and true autonomy.
Thus, I made a list of elements that will be regularly
updated in light of my experience in the field. It will
be helpful for you to make an idea of what it is to
embark on a such adventure, which of course, remains
accessible to many people.
Itinerary:
From Ulaanbaatar, the simplest directions are the east,
the north and the west; the south remains more
problematic because of the scarcity of pasture and water.
The Mongolians live sparsely over their great country,
but it is possible to cross regularly on your way yurts-
encampments of nomads. A yurt means that there are water
(source, river, well...), pasture and shelter
available!
Maps that we can find in Ulaanbaatar, are precise enough
and suit to this kind of adventures. GPS will be useful
to find out your exact location and especially to get an
idea of the distance that remains to your destination,
and also it gives the direction to the city, village or
another place... It is of course necessary to collect or
calculate GPS points before.
Climate:
In general, you can enjoy the horseback journey from
early June to late September. Temperatures and
atmospheric conditions outside will be bearable with no
much difficulty. The rain is unpredictable and depends on
the year and regions. Anyway, as Mongolia has a
continental climate, it rains much less than in Europe.
Horses:
Smaller than in Europe, they look less impressive, they
match more our size. They are patient and can run six to
seven hours in one day, even more ... 30 to 50 km on
average in one day (record via GPS).
They are not shod, but Mongolian horses are perfectly
adapted to the country, their pasture and to the life
outside. They accept easily the rider-leader. Riding
rules are very basic: left, right, stop, but this is
sufficient for the trip.
My advice is to take a pack horse for two people
obviously. Despite the fears of some sort ( a horse more
to manage, we are not used to pack an animal ; it costs
more .... ! ) But the pack horse learns quickly
enough, and allows more comfortable autonomy for
travelers.
The essential equipment:
Think obviously of functional, solid, light, efficient and not
bulky.
The local materials that you will need for this kind of
journey, you will find at the "Central Narantuul Zakh" in
the southern part of Ulaanbaatar.
Saddle:
There are saddles of about + / - $ 50, the quality is
quite average, and repairs or adjustments will be
required. They are not comfortable for rider neither for
the
horse:
It comes with a single seat belt. I advise to use another
belts. The seat is better to be held with two belly
straps. You can use Mongolian animal hair-made
cords, which are used for traditional mongolian saddles..
Think out, in Europe, you may find the first price
saddles which are not much expensive, with a comfort and
better quality.
The Mongolian harness is rustic but there is no need to
have anything better.
Pack saddle:
The best is to find a Cossack Russian saddle, and remove
the seat bag !
Horse care:
At night your horse will need to eat and it would be
better to find it the next morning ...
Few trees to attach your mount. The best solution will be
the use of hooks and fetter.
Choose a metal peg of 20 cm max. with 10 to 15 m of rope.
Leather shackle softens under the rain and becomes hard on
the sun ! For the short term it works, a
hampered horse comes easily to 200 m in the night.
Shackle made with synthetic strings would be excellent.
Gaiters:
Essential for your ankles and allow to ride in sandals or
walking shoes.
Stirrups:
The saddle you purchase Mongolia, will be equipped with
stirrups of European style. My advice is to change them
and buy mongolian staff which is round and wide. It is
less painful, more stable and more comfortable for
your feet.
Saddle bags:
To store water bottle and some personal
effects!
Attention, fabric bags are generally not solid - I prefer
those made with leather.
Raincoat:
We need something solid that does not tear, if possible,
a coat which does not make noises and covers a maximum of
things. Here, there is something really effective and
used by most Mongol horsemen. It is a garment of the
Russian army which fits the above description.
Stove:
Better option is gasoline, must be type MSN. You may not
found gas cartridges in the steppe. The firewood is
scarce and there is always the risk of fire. You reserve a liter of
gasoline in a bottle of Coca-Cola and it makes perfectly. A liter of gasoline makes, with two hot meals
per day - in mornings and evenings, for two persons 5-7
days of autonomy.
Tent:
A tent that is resistant to the wind – essential.
The vestibule is interesting to stock the staff when it is
raining.
