Globetrotting — and cantering and galloping — in Mongolia, India, Africa
The cobras in India were less of a threat than the water buffalo, the elephants commanded as much respect as the lions in Botswana, and mad dogs were the biggest danger in Mongolia.
In other words, trekking on horseback in developing countries means you are not riding in Kansas anymore . . . or the Cotswolds, Canada, or the Camargue. The horses and gear are different, the way the animals are treated is different, and the landscapes, language, and customs are unlike anything you may have encountered before. You will be treated differently too, because you are closer to nature and to local populations than you could ever be looking out from the protective shell of a tour bus.
My first true adventure travel on horseback was to Mongolia, where tour buses would have a hard time anyway. Here there is almost no train or bus service, no taxis or rental cars, and almost no roads in the countryside, so the horse is the key mode of transportation. Besides, it makes sense to visit this country on horseback: the history of Mongolia and its horses are closely intertwined. Mongolia conquered more of the world than any other nation in history through its equestrian prowess.
