Every rider likely experienced at least one or more hectic-high-speed- hunts from the frothing, charging, barking wild dogs in Mongolia. These dogs are some sort of black and tan Great Pyrenees resembling mutt mix, usually adorned with dredded coats and slobbery mouths. While big and dopey looking laying about their gers, they sure wole up when they sensed a potential invader riding by. Passing by gers, it’s always best to give a wide birth. But sometimes, due to terrain or mere convenience, I’d find myself quite close along my chosen route. The advantage of saving time often resulted in a grand chase from a dog pack. The wild eyed dogs would come barreling out barking and ready for the chase! And they were not messing around.

Now in this moment the rider has a few options- 1. If the particular horse being ridden was responsive to direction and steering, one could slow their mount down and potentially avoid a chase all together. By defusing the dogs and simply walking by. However this option was generally not an option, and instead what was more available, was to run like hell and try to loose the dogs in an epic escape! I carried pepper spray in my vest pack, which I could reach and grab with my right hand, aim and fire down at the dogs-across my body under my left arm like a bandit with her pistol cocked ready and loaded. It seemed our wild horses knew the drill. They leapt forward with little encouragement when the dogs began their pursuit, bolting quick and agile as ever. The dogs would attempt to nip their heals or leap up to grab hold of their tails or riders leg.

The chase never lasted more than a half mile or so, but boy what a way to reinvigorate the pulse! No dull moments on the Steppe.