96 ACROSS MONGOLIAN PLAINS 



hind quarters, trussed him tightly, and swung him into 

 the shafts. When the pony was properly harnessed, he 

 fastened the bridle to the rear of the other cart and drove 

 slowly ahead. At first the horse tried to kick and 

 plunge, but the hobbles held him fast and in fifteen min- 

 utes he settled to the work. Then the Mongol removed 

 the hobbles from the hind legs, and later left the pony 

 entirely free. He walked beside the animal for a long 

 time, and did not attempt to drive him from the cart 

 for at least an hour. 



Although Mongols seem unnecessarily rough and al- 

 most brutal, I do not believe that any people in the world 

 can handle horses more expertly. From earliest child- 

 hood their real home is the back of a pony. Every year, 

 in the spring, a children's race is held at Urga. Boys 

 and girls from four to six years old are tied on horses 

 and ride at full speed over a mile-long course. If a 

 child falls off it receives but scant sympathy and is 

 strapped on again more tightly than before. A Mon- 

 gol has no respect whatever for a man or woman who 

 cannot ride, and nothing will win his regard as rapidly 

 as expert horsemanship. Strangely enough the Mon- 

 gols seldom show affection for their ponies, nor do they 

 caress them in any way; consequently, the animals do 

 not enjoy being petted and are prone to kick and bite. 

 My pony, Kublai Khan, was an extraordinary exception 

 to this rule and was as affectionate and gentle as a kit- 

 ten — ^but there are few animals like Kublai Khan in 

 Mongolia! 



The ponies are small, of course, but they are strong 



