Mongolian Steppe Riders

Horse is the most important animal in the cultural history of Mongolia. The vast landscape of 1,564,000 square km , inhabited by population about more than two million people, making it as one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world. Therefore, no surprise that most of the free spaces occupied with horses for more than two and half million population.

From the context of socio-ecology, the relationship between man and horse has shaped an entity that is quite incomparable anywhere else in the world. No Mongolian nomads are happy going on foot. They are horse rider. It is a normal situation between the nomads in the steppe to witness small children sat on the horseback before they can even walk. They were born from a woman, but they surely live with horses for the rest of their life.

In the steppe, we can easily find saddled horses tied to the rope or left to graze unsupervised next to the ger. This animals are so dear in the heart of the Mongols, that it has always have a name and people share the story about their horses among acquaintance. This is particularly true for the Mongols, for whom the horse is still a fundamental part of life, a symbol of status, and a trusted friend.

As I could remember from my experience, riding on the vast steppe in the birth land of Genghis Khan. The wildflowers vary in yellow, white, and purple haze as I galloped my horse through the field. Beside me, the fourteen years old Torchka rode his horse faster than me. We did it in Mongolia style, stand up with feet on the stirrups and feel the speed passed by my face. The horse were no longer separate from us. I involuntary joined the stomp rhythm  of my horse. That was when I finally felt the excitement, as the steppe riders in Mongolia.