Here I am, armed and ready to go. Never much of a horseman due to lack of time and inclination I soon felt very comfortable in the saddle of a Mongolian Kazakh horse.
To be fair my hosts usually gave me their best and most calmest mount and I soon began to bond with “my horse”. They are so honest, sure footed and reliable that they give you confidence in those rugged mountains.

They may be small, and some have said to me, “ah well its not so far to fall if you come off”. Well even from this lower height the ground is still as hard and unforgiving.

Having carried an eagle on my left arm for most of my life I was surprised how quickly I adapted to using my right arm. Hooding an eagle with my left hand took more getting use to. It was strange how quickly everything started to feel so natural to me.