coped with the constant noise, sights and sound that are characteristic of India. “Rajistan is classed as desert,” she said, “but the land is arable, and there are many small villages and rural workers. Everywhere we went people came rushing out of the fields to see the strangers on horseback.” The ride ended at the Pushkah camel and horse market, the largest of its kind in the world. India is a constant kaleidoscope, but the noise and visual stimulation here were something else. “It was like riding through a sideshow alley, and Tulsi was alert but so sensible, absolutely bombproof. The Mahwari horses have such a great nature…everyone fell in love with their horses,” Sue enthused. The 6 touring riders were split into fast and slow groups. Competent riders had long canters across the fields, and there was lots of walking, as 6 - 8 hours may be spent in the saddle. The saddles are English or Indian military; though some people had brought sheepskins, Sue found hers very comfortable. “The country is flat so the riding is not too difficult, and there’s a long break in the middle of the day. The camps were set up outside villages, with lovely big tents, a bathroom tent and great beds – very civilised and comfortable.” A support vehicle is always there to give someone a lift or provide assistance. “On our trip there were 8 grooms; because of India’s caste system, riders don’t care for their horses, so there was not enough contact with them, really. But what’s great about the trip is that the staff, organiser, doctors, etc are all local, Indian people. Horse riding and camping gives an opportunity to get to know local people – something that rarely happens with conventional travel.” Around 10 grooms care for the horses, which are tethered at night, with a fire for warmth and to deter wild animals. They are shod to minimise stone bruises on the variable ground, and fed sorghum, green grass, barley, lucerne, flour, spices, herbal tonics, and electrolytes. Water is a priority in the hot climate; every opportunity is taken for the horses to drink, and each village happily shares its water. In India there is one dentist for every 90,000 people, and they are mostly in urban areas. In Rajasthan, 25 million people are illiterate, and 21 million – Australia’s population – live below the international poverty line of $1.25 a day. RRI takes dentists, doctors, and valuable education materials to the people. During each expedition around 2,500 people are treated – most for the first time in their lives, and 65 needy families receive goats. Alexander Souri in Northern India. Photo courtesy of RRI