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It is a multi-horse race, modelled after the postal route established by Genghis Khan in 1224. [3] It was the world's first long-distance postal system, based on a network of horse stations. [4] The Mongol Derby similarly incorporates 25 horse stations and rest stops along a length of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) through the Mongolian steppe.
The Mongol Derby is a 1,000 km (621 mi) endurance horse race across the Mongolian wilderness. The horses and riders race across the wide-open steppe, cross over steep mountains, trudge through flood plains and semi-arid deserts, trek over sand dunes, and tackle numerous river crossings.
Unlike Western horse racing, which consists of short sprints generally not much longer than 2 km, Mongolian horse racing as featured in Naadam is a cross-country event, with races 15–30 km long. The length of each race is determined by age class. For example, two-year-old horses race for 16 km (10 mi) and seven-year-olds for 27 km (17 mi).
Mounted Mongol nomads holding horse lassos. Mongolian nomads have long been considered to be some of the best horsemen in the world. During the time of Genghis Khan, Mongol horse archers were capable of feats such as sliding down the side of their horse to shield their body from enemy arrows, while simultaneously holding their bow under the horse's chin and returning fire, all at full gallop.
Mongolian horses have great stamina; although they have small bodies, they can gallop for 10 km without a break. When pulling a cart, a team of four Mongol horses can draw a load of 4400 lbs for 50–60 km a day. Because the horses are allowed to live much the same as wild horses, they require little in the way of hoof care.
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Most of the Mongol people were herders and moved constantly from southern regions in the winter months to the northern steppes in summer as well as moving periodically to fresh pastures. The yurts' size and the felt walls made them relatively cool in the summers and warm in the winters allowing the Mongols to live in the same dwelling year-round.