For the first time, Mongolia will hold a large-scale celebration of the World Horse Day, which will take place from July 11 to 13, 2026, in the Khui Doloon Khudag area, located on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. It is expected that around 10,000 riders from 56 countries will participate in the event.
The organizers are currently working on creating a rich program that will include five thematic zones. These zones will be dedicated to various aspects of horseback riding, including entertainment, equine therapy, traditional healing methods, cultural programs, and heritage from all 21 aimags of Mongolia.
In 2013, an event was held in Khui Doloon Khudag that was recorded in the Guinness World Records, featuring races with 3,000 horses and a parade of 10,000 riders in traditional clothing with full gear.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, as of 2023, there are 60.8 million horses in the world. In Mongolia, the horse population significantly exceeds the number of people: by the end of 2023, their number reached 4.8 million out of a total livestock count of 64.7 million. Horses play a key role in the nomadic lifestyle of the Mongols. They are actively used for riding and transportation, and they occupy a central place in the culture of the country, including traditional races, the production of airag (fermented mare's milk), and related rituals, folk games, and festivals.
