As for riders, only children aged between 4-12 are allowed to be jockeys. The lightweight riders make it easier for horse to run. Often, to lighten the burden further, saddles are not used. Children in rural areas learn to ride horses as early as three and by the age of seven they become experienced jockeys with many able even to break a horse. The racing takes place not on a special track but across a rugged terrain.
Young riders wear light, mostly silk clothes and a cloak with symbolic ornaments.
Racing horses circle the finish area three times singing Ghiingoo song, a special Buddhist mantra helping the riders to concentrate and gain confidence. As the song ends, racing horses walk slowly to the starting line some 30 kilometers away. After lining up at the start, riders eagerly wait for the signal. A thick cloud of dust comes over as hundreds of sweat covered horses turn around to line up at the start, an unforgettable, powerful sight. Surenjav about his first impressions from the Nadaam Festival some half a century ago.