This is how people get around right at the top of Timor Leste's mountain districts, where vehicles cannot go. Horses are important here; in fact they played a starring role in the country's independence day celebrations, with their riders, in traditional dress, galloping en masse around the arena in a great spectacle of horsemanship (ponymanship?). There's certainly a niche for a tourism operator to organise pony trekking holidays here - it makes sense, as it's a great way to see Timor Leste's stunning interior at a leisurely pace. There are periodic horse races here - even in Dili. Next time I hear of one coming up, I'll post it. Email me if you have any word on this...
