How to Experience a Mongolia Horse Riding: Cost & Tips

Horse riding is one of the best ways to explore this incredible country. Mongolia horse riding is also known as horse trekking around the nation. There are picturesque locations to experience this activity and some of the tourists especially visit Mongolia to spend a few days for horse trekking in brilliant locations around the country. Horses are more central to Mongolian culture and they are considered a very integral part of the native people. A very famous proverb is circulated over the horse tradition in Mongolia, ‘A Mongol without a horse is like a bird without wings’.

Mongolian lands have rugged terrain, sealed roads, and other transport limitations, but it does not stop them from taking up horse trekking as their daily routine. You can easily rent a horse for exploring the location or going for a pre-settled horse trekking in some of the beautiful locations. Let us give you some of the important details about Mongolia horse riding before you visit the country.

Best time for Horse riding in Mongolia

The perfect time for Mongolia horse riding would be towards the end of summer, that is in the onset of fall, in June – October. (See Weather in June & October) If you love exploring and taking up challenges, then stepping out of the range might be thrilling for you. If you want to trek outside of those months, then be prepared for cold weather.

Cost of Horse riding in Mongolia

For people who are wondering how expensive these horse riding and horse trekking would be, let us tell you that it is the opposite. Horse riding will not cost you a fortune, in fact, you can easily rent a horse for $20 for a day, and there are guides available who cost you the same amount of money. You can even buy a horse in as less as $300. How cool is that?

Best places to try horse trekking

★ 1. Lake Khuvsgul

Horses run around the biggest and purest lake in Mongolia, Lake Khuvsgul. Khuvsgul Lagoon is the world's second purest lake. Imagine riding a beautiful horse around this paradise-like lake. You might be surprised to know that the water is actually so pure that you can drink straight out of the lake without getting sick.

★2. Mongolian Taiga also called (Tsaatan Reindeer Herders)

You will be lucky to meet the last remaining reindeer herders’ tribe of Mongolia, the Tsaatan people. The follow the occupation of herding reindeers, this unusual culture resides in teepees along the Russian border in Northern Mongolia and survives mainly by herding. This place will be perfect for taking up horse riding and you will be mesmerized to drink in the view these landscapes have to offer.

★ 3. Hustai National Park

This National Park host a few surviving wild horses in Mongolia. The Takhi, Hustai National Park in Mongolia's refuge of biodiversity and endangered animals. What is a better way to explore the country than ride the last remaining wild horses of the country? Mongolia horse riding will be incomplete without visiting this location if you are keen about riding horses.

★ 4. Terelji National Park

The best part about this horse riding location is that it is located close to the capital. Just 70 kilometers (43 mi) from Ulaanbaatar, the Terelj National Park is the perfect location for travelers looking to get started on horseback trekking in Mongolia without any long journeys. This place is a brilliant mix of pine forest, mountain peaks, grasslands, and rock formations. Just perfect for a horse trek!

★ 5. Khan Khenti Protected area

The Khan Khenti Protected Area consists of over 1.2 million hectares of land and is a rugged reserve home to a large range of species, including the Mongolian brown bear, which is considered endangered now. Khan Khenti Protected Area has banned hunting in the area and is still practically uninhabited by humans, which makes this place easier for wildlife survival. Also it is one of the best places to try horse trekking, with perfect view, and brilliant trek trails.

Do you think you can handle a Mongolian Horse?

That is a very good question though; remember one thing before you are overconfident about horse riding, your horse lives free as a bird 10 out of 12 months in the steppe and you are going to hop on and start riding as you own it, then there is a problem. You have to keep the sentiments of the horse in mind. Don’t smile, we are serious!

There are different riding techniques and preparations that will help you in horse riding and you might just maintain a good relationship with these beautiful creatures. Mongolia horse riding can be one of the best memories of your visit to this country if only you follow these guidelines. Just give it a read and keep in mind to be careful.

• You must approach your horse with great care, never surprise the horse. This advice extends to all horses but even especially to the Mongolian horse that only depends on itself to live for much of the year.

• If you are riding, don't make abrupt moves, stay calm and remind the party to stop and get down to dress or undress.

• You must not lean forward while riding the horse because they often do abrupt head movement due to flies and other insects frequently getting in their nostrils.

• Must Keep your reins in one hand.

• Keep your legs still while riding the horse, you can direct them by saying ‘Chou’ meaning go or ‘Whoosh’ means to slow down.

You must also avoid wearing any loose clothing while going for Mongolia horse riding. It is definitely once in a lifetime opportunity, the place is so mesmerizing already and horse riding will enhance that experience even better.

Why horse riding is necessary to try in Mongolia?

Imagine visiting a country that has as many horses as people, where children become a jokey at age 7-8, Isn’t that astonishing? Mongolia population is around 3 million people and as mentioned earlier, the country has equal number of horses. Coming to Mongolia means you must take up horse riding as a part of your trip because the country tour will be incomplete without it. The population of the country is divided among the two major occupants. Around 1.5 million reside in the capital city and the rest are known to live a nomadic life, and their life primarily depends upon hunting, farming, herding, transportation business, horse racing, etc.

If you are worried about riding, then relax because you will be safe. There is no better place in the world than Mongolia for horse riding. Ride along!