Two teenagers revive a dangerous Mongolian winter horse herding tradition

Two young horse herders are reviving a centuries-old winter ritual in the Tsakhir Valley of Mongolia to preserve their community's heritage.

Village elders pledged to bring back the tradition after environmental pressures forced the community to abandon the practice in 2019. The ritual requires brave young men to protect a vast herd of horses against extreme winter storms. By placing this responsibility on two teenage friends, the community aims to ensure that this rite of passage survives for future generations.

The boys spent several months battling blizzards and exhaustion to safeguard the animals during what the region considers its deadliest winter on record. The experience forced the teenagers to confront physical limits while maintaining the ancient way of life. The documentary film by Kasimir Burgess follows their journey to keep the tradition alive in the face of harsh environmental conditions.