SLIDE SHOW: The Land of Milk and Horses
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Photo by Michael Parks
Humans likely first domesticated horses because they are well adapted to cold. In The Horse, the Wheel, and Language , David W. Anthony notes that during the famously harsh 1886 winter that bankrupted many Great Plains cattle ranchers, including Teddy Roosevelt, some cattle survived by grazing in areas mustangs cleared of snow and ice.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
The Przewalski's Horse is the world's only remaining wild horse. Takhi , as the animals are known in Mongolian, went extinct in the wild in the sixties, but have since been reintroduced to Mongolia.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Foals tied up to keep mares nearby for milking.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Dried curds ( aaruul ) and fermented mare's milk ( airag ) in front of the altar in a ger .
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Airag fermenting. According to tradition, airag needs to be stirred 1,000 times a day. Guests are encouraged to help.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
The season of "white foods" inside a ger .
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Bags hanging outside to strain excess liquid from whey. The resulting aarts can be eaten, or further dried and hardened to make aaruul (dried curds).
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Aaruul (dried curds) drying outside.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Headed for the starting line for a Naadam Festival horse race.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Horsemen wait at the finish line for a different race.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
The winner!
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Brushing off sweat after a race.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
A statue of the famous racehorse, Arvaikheer. In the foreground, the skulls of fast horses wrapped in prayer scarves.
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,
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Photo by Michael Parks
Mom and dad in Mongolia. Learn more here .
Michael Parks attends a Naadam Festival horse race in Mongolia,