So I got back from the research trip on Wednesday, and then on Saturday I went out with a big group of Fulbrighters and friends to Stepperiders, a horse riding ger camp about an hour outside of UB. We split into two groups (there were 12 of us total) and went for a sort of countryside trail ride. Trail riding with Mongolian horses means that the horses more or less end up choosing the path, speed, and duration of the trip. I was lucky and got one of the horses who was more inclined to cooperate with his rider. He was a really good horse actually. Pleasant, eager to please, responsive and athletic... When we got off the steep mountainous part and made it to the gently rolling steppe, he pricked his ears up and cheerfully trotted at the head of the group. We stopped for a break at a well to water the horses and then mounted up again to head back. The horses were all a lot more excited about this part of the trip, the part where we went home.
My horse, who I named 'Toast', wanted nothing more than to gleefully gallop his heart out straight back to the camp. He plunged down into the dips in the landscape and then surged up the hills, snorting happily. At one point we were calmly cantering until Joe's horse broke into a gallop, and with a little squeeze of my heels Toast accepted the challenge. He lowered his head and threw himself forward, quickly catching up with Joe's horse until he was sailing past. Racing across the steppe on the back of a half-wild horse was wonderful and exhilirating!
The next morning we went for a hike around the area. I found some circular piles of stones which I think are ancient grave sites (they look similar to others I've seen in Mongolia), and saw some giant vultures, and even a showdown between a crow and a vulture in the sky! (the crow drove off the vulture). Overall it was another great trip to the countryside: good company, beautiful landscapes, and fun activities.
The group of us
View from the top of the mountain
Me and Toast! and everyone!
Stopping for water
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