One of the most coolest experiences of our trip, by far, happened during our drive the day we left the area around Bayan zag. Driving through wide-open gravelly desert, covered with flowering garlic chives, we came across a huge herd of galloping horses. The horses were being chased and herded by a few men on horseback, on foot, and on motorbike.
They were rounding up the foals: every day the foals have to be caught so that the mares can be milked. Even our guide remarked this was the biggest herd he had ever seen in this part of the Gobi. Our driver got out of the van and joined them, never one to stand by and watch when there is work to be done.
It was really incredible: watching and listening to the horses thundering around us, the smell of garlic chives perfuming the air. The foals were fast - really fast - and it was hard work catching them when the entire herd was running together. It was amazing to watch the skill of the riders lassoing them (and then bringing them to a stop and wrestling them to the ground, so they could be secured.) According to our guide, horses are basically wild until they are about two years old, and you could really see - even the adults aren't tame until they have a saddle on them!
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| I really like this photo because there is a horse with awesome hocky hair.. see if you can spot him ;) |
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| Catching a foal |
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| A group of tourists: another van from our tour company stopped. |
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| Some of the horses had unbelievably long manes and tails |
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