Arslan
Mongolian · 9 years · 13.2 hh
Steady · Sure-footed
"Stands quiet while you mount, then covers the steppe."
The herd
Meet the herd.
Local horses, bred for their country. They do the hard work. We make sure they're looked after.
Horses first.
- Local breeds. Mongolian, Kyrgyz, Criollo, Tushetian, Icelandic and Andalusian. The horse that belongs on that land.
- Fit and rested. Horses get rest days on the trail and a season off when the routes close.
- Weight limit. Every route has a rider weight limit. It protects the horse. The published routes sit at 95 kg.
- Tack that fits. Saddles are checked every morning. Sore backs end rides.
- Matched, not assigned. We pair horse and rider on day one and swap if it isn't working.
- Local horsemen. The people who raise the horses ride with us.
Puesto
Criollo · 11 years · 14.2 hh
Steady · Good for nervous riders
"Unbothered by wind."
Jokull
Icelandic · 10 years · 13.3 hh
Sure-footed · Steady
"Sure in river water."
Sol
Andalusian · 12 years · 15.1 hh
Good for nervous riders · Steady
"Soft in the hand on a long rein."
Tseri
Tushetian · 7 years · 14 hh
Forward
"Climbs like the trail is his."
Buran
Kyrgyz · 8 years · 14 hh
Forward · Likes to lead
"Wants the front and knows the passes."
Riding levels
Beginner-friendly
You've ridden a little or not at all. Mostly walking, short trots, gentle ground. Guides teach as you go.
Intermediate
Comfortable at walk and trot, happy cantering on good ground. 4-5 hours a day.
Confident
At ease at all paces in open country, including uneven ground and river crossings. 5-7 hours a day, several days running.
Horseman
Long days, fast paces, rough terrain, little support. You ride regularly and well.
Not sure where you fit? Tell us how you ride and we'll be honest.
How we look after them.
A local vet checks the herd before the season, and again if a horse is not right.
Every morning we look at feet, backs and girths, and we do not ride a sore horse.
They graze when the country allows, and they are fed when the grass is thin.
Rest days sit in every route.
At the end of the season the horses go home with the families who bred them, and a horse that is done working stays there.