45yo male planning to ride across Mongolia (ie lp blazing saddles). Say 1mth late Mongolian spring to summer seeking local experience and see the lot but keen to survive.
Ozzie, good horseman, bushman, professional. Prefer to travel in small group (2-4) but not seeking the pony clubbers.
What's the chance of organising like minded mad bastards. Welcome your advice.
Have a look at stepperiders.com you can do a few days with them, by the look of it they will help you organise buying a horse, equipment etc. and you will hopefully be able to meet other people doing the same thing
Go to the auto station on the east side of train station. Get into one of the van and head to one of the aimags. Get to the animal market of that aimag and buy your horse. All you need along the way is an interpreter. A good interpreter can be found via his blog: http://dorj-mysincerethoughts.blogspot.com
Hi, you should contact someone who can help you to buy a horse, because it's better when you know the family. I have bought horses myselfe3 in Mongolia and I went always with my husband. Where do you want to buy the horses?
Thankyou, they look like a good contact.
Do you have any personal experience with long treks? I am particularly interested in finding some other people to travel with but want people that are good riders.
In Australia we have good free moving horses and use supplementry feeding so the horses have can keep up to the physical work. I understand the Mongolian horses are more like donkeys.
Do they hobble the horses at night or tether one of them?
Regards
Hi. About Mongolian Horses. They are bigger than Donkeys bit smaller than European Horses but they are very strong and good running animal.(Have you heard about Perjivalski Horse that is what they are same blood with) About your idea that you want to buy horse and ride through Mongolia is possible.(You know nothing is impossible) As same poeple said : you need a good interpreter and good horse. Maybe I can arrange things for you.
nirons - horses are generally hobbled at night. There is no horse feed available outside the Ulaanbaatar. It is sold in huge flour sacks and if you choose to take it, you will need a big feeding bowl to mix it with water, and an extra pack horse. Contact Stepperiders - they teach all this stuff. Including how to avoid horse thieves - a very real problem for solo riders in Mongolia. Stepperiders might also be able to put you in contact with others who are planning the same type of trip.
Going by yourself randomly into the countryside to buy horses is a crazy idea. First of all you will be very lucky to find anyone who speaks English, and the horse owners definitely will not speak English. And horses are the easy part. You also need to plan your gear, your food, learn some customs, buy equipment (like hobbles and saddles), and plan a route.
Good advice. I agree it would be best not to travel on your own.
What are the chances of finding others that are good riders that want to spend a month riding through Moingolia yet remain fairly independant even if we decide to take a guide?
Hi nirons - actually you might be surprised at the number of inquiries we get at Stepperiders for information about solo riders. I think I have fielded about 10 emails so far this year from people who say they are interested. Almost all of them say they are experienced riders. Of course, saying you are interested and actually following through are two vastly different things. However, I know of one couple who is quite serious about going, and they have been making detailed preparations. If you are interested, contact me and I will try to put you in touch with them. [kimber@stepperiders.com]
Hi. I'm also trying to plan a trek through Mongolia on horseback and am wondering about the basics. Like what time of year is best, and is it possible to ride solo for only 2 weeks--I mean it looks as though I'd have to buy a horse and that seems impractical for such a short period. Any ideas? Thanks.