You’ve always wanted to ride a horse across the Mongolian steppe. But since you’ve never ridden before, the thought feels a little scary.
Many visitors arrive at Horse Camp feeling exactly this way.
I’m Chika, a horseback riding instructor at Horse Camp Mongolia.
First, There’s Something I Want You to Know: Horses Are Watching Us, Too
I grew up in a nomadic family, so horses have been a part of my life since childhood.
But for visitors coming from Japan, seeing a horse up close can feel more intimidating than they expected. Horses are much bigger than many people imagine.
When standing face-to-face with a horse, some people feel nervous before they feel excited. And that’s completely normal.
Horses are sensitive to our movements, voices, and body language, including signs of nervousness. That’s why we don’t rush straight into riding. First, I explain how to approach a horse, where to stand safely, and how to touch it gently.
As visitors place a hand on the horse and feel its breathing and warmth, I often see their expressions gradually soften.
Check the Riding Equipment and Learn How to Mount
Next, I’ll introduce the riding equipment, including the saddle and reins, and explain how to use them.
At Horse Camp Mongolia, we use Western saddles. Each saddle has a horn at the front that you can hold onto when mounting or dismounting, and as you get used to the horse’s movements for the first time.
We provide helmets, body protectors, and chaps at the camp. Before you mount, our staff will check that all your equipment is fitted correctly.
I’ll also guide you step by step on where to place your feet and hands when mounting. If anything is unclear, please don’t hesitate to ask as many times as you need.
最初はスタッフが馬を引いて歩きます
初めて馬に乗ると、馬が一歩動いただけでも体が大きく揺れたように感じます。
そのため、最初はスタッフが馬を引いて歩く「引き馬」で、馬の動きに慣れていただきます。
この時間に確認するのは、速く走る方法ではありません。
- 鞍の上で姿勢を保つ
- 視線を下げすぎない
- 足や肩に力を入れすぎない
- 馬が歩くリズムを感じる
まずは落ち着いて馬の動きに慣れることが大切です。
休憩後に基本操作を練習します
引き馬で馬の動きに慣れたら、いったん休憩を取ります。その後、再び馬に乗り、自分で基本操作を行う練習へ進みます。
練習するのは、主に次の操作です。
- 馬を前へ進める
- 馬を止める
- 右へ曲がる
- 左へ曲がる
最初から全部をうまくできなくても大丈夫です。
At First, a Staff Member Will Lead Your Horse
When you ride a horse for the first time, even a single step can make your body feel as though it’s swaying more than you expected.
That’s why we begin with a guided walk, during which a staff member leads your horse while you gradually get used to its movements.
At this stage, the goal isn’t to learn how to ride fast. Instead, we focus on the following basics:
- Maintaining your posture in the saddle
- Keeping your eyes up rather than looking down too much
- Avoiding unnecessary tension in your legs and shoulders
- Feeling the natural rhythm of the horse’s walk
The most important thing is to stay relaxed and become comfortable with the horse’s movements at your own pace.
After a Break, You’ll Practice Basic Riding Techniques
Once you feel more comfortable with the horse’s movements during the guided walk, we’ll take a short break. Afterward, you’ll get back on the horse and begin practicing basic riding techniques on your own.
You’ll mainly practice how to:
- Ask the horse to move forward
- Stop the horse
- Turn right
- Turn left
Don’t worry if you can’t do everything perfectly from the beginning.
What matters most is learning how to communicate your instructions to the horse and control its movements safely. Our staff will stay nearby, keeping an eye on your progress and offering guidance as needed.
We’ll Assess Your Safety Before Deciding Whether to Ride Out onto the Steppe
After practicing the basic riding techniques, you’ll head out onto the steppe only if your instructor determines that it’s safe for you to do so.
Riding on the steppe generally begins at a slow walking pace, known as a walk in horseback riding terminology.
Depending on the weather, trail conditions, the horse’s condition, and each participant’s physical condition and riding ability, we may adjust the riding duration or route.
Trotting and cantering are not guaranteed for every participant. On our day tour, the main goal is to understand the basic riding techniques and enjoy riding across the steppe under the guidance and supervision of our staff.
If you’d like more time to practice, we also offer 1-night, 2-day and 2-night, 3-day programs. With a longer stay, you’ll have more opportunities to review and practice the skills you learned the previous day.
When “I’m Scared” Gradually Becomes “This Is Fun”
For someone who has never ridden a horse before, approaching a horse, learning to control it independently, and riding out onto the steppe can feel like a big challenge.
That’s why it makes me happy to see guests who were nervous at first gradually become more comfortable with the horse’s movements.
At Horse Camp Mongolia, we believe the experience should be about more than simply riding a horse and taking photos.
We want you to learn about horses, practice riding safely, and experience the moment when a horse begins to walk in response to your own cues. All of these moments are part of the joy of horseback riding in Mongolia.
Even if you have no riding experience, if you’ve ever wanted to ride a horse across the Mongolian steppe, we encourage you to give it a try.
We’ll be there to guide you every step of the way, starting with the basics.
