Living With Purpose Making tracks to make a difference! Live with Purpose. Love with purpose. Travel with purpose.

MONGOLIA | Monday, 17 November 2014 | Views [710] | View Smaller Image

In the valley below the sacred Mandal Mountain, the horsemen take moments in the afternoon to sharpen their knives and most used tools. Their days working closely with each other builds a clear sense of comradery where they operate as a family unit. There is rarely down time between caring for the horses and the guest they are accompanying.

Tags: mongolia, horse, horsemen, black and white

In the plains of central Mongolia, the relationship between man and horse is truly symbiotic. Horse and man are integrated in almost every way. A man's wealth and worth comes from the size of their herd, the quality of their breed, and their reputation to train the horses. Here, an experienced horseman is completing a daily morning ritual of harnessing and preparing the needed horses for a day of riding. While Mongolian horses are smaller than other breeds, they are known for their strength and endurance.

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True pride of a horseman comes from his ability to break, train, and ride his horses. Here, one of the younger horsemen, Jaggi, shows off his skills before he rides off in search of a sheep for evening dinner. Jaggi is not only skilled at riding the horses, but he is also in the process of becoming a vet so he can better care for his herd and the animals near his family. He had to put his education on hold for a few years because tuition costs were so great compared to the income he was making as a horseman. However, during this trip, the guest decided to collectively fund a scholarship to get him back to his studies. He will graduate 2016.

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Living With Purpose Making tracks to make a difference! Live with Purpose. Love with purpose. Travel with purpose.

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