The Horses of the Mongolian Steppe

The Mongolian horse is unlike any other breed in the world. Small but extraordinarily hardy, these animals have shaped the course of history — carrying Genghis Khan’s armies across continents, sustaining nomadic families across millennia, and defining the culture of one of Earth’s most remarkable landscapes.

Built for the Steppe

Standing just 12-14 hands high, the Mongolian horse might seem modest compared to Western breeds. But these animals are phenomenally tough. They survive Mongolia’s brutal winters by scraping through ice and snow to reach the grass beneath. They can travel extraordinary distances without supplemental feed or water.

In Mongolia, horses are not pets — they are working animals, essential to nomadic life. A family’s wealth is often measured by the size of their herd. Horses provide transport, racing entertainment at Naadam, and even food (koumiss, or fermented mare’s milk, is a Mongolian staple).

The Horse in Mongolian Culture

Mongolians say that a man without a horse is like a bird without wings. Children learn to ride before they can walk — or so the saying goes. By age five or six, children are often racing horses in local competitions.

At Naadam, Mongolia’s biggest annual festival, the horse race is one of three “manly games” alongside wrestling and archery. Child jockeys aged 5-13 race for distances of 15-30 kilometers across open steppe — a breathtaking spectacle of speed and skill.

Riding the Mongolian Steppe

For travelers, riding a Mongolian horse across the open steppe is an experience of pure freedom. These horses are responsive and sure-footed, comfortable with riders of varying experience levels. Many of our tours include horseback riding as a core activity.

Whether you’re galloping across a sun-drenched meadow or picking your way carefully down a mountain trail, riding in Mongolia connects you to centuries of history and to the landscape in a way that no vehicle ever could.