Mongolian Cutting Horse
Eastern Mongolia 2014
It was a cold, gray day. Dust, churned up from the hooves of the animals, filled the air. The man ran his horse back and forth, gathering the herd, and moving them this way and then that way. The horse’s flanks were dripping with sweat but he never flagged.
The man carries a thin pole with a noose on the end of it. It’s the Mongolian version of a lasso and a shepherd’s crook combined. I didn’t see him lasso any animals. I wasn’t really sure of what he was doing but it worked out great for us photographers. We had plenty of chances to get a shot of the real Mongolia.
I don’t think I ever saw a Mongolian rider beat his horse or use his whip to get his horse’s attention. They took good care of their animals. They were well fed and well muscled. They did use the thin snaffle bit rather harshly. I didn’t notice at the time, but I see in my photos that often the horse’s head is raised and his mouth open in an attempt to get some relief from a punishing grip on the reins.