Even amid the demands of university life, some students dream of open grasslands beyond the campus gates. Home to 104 members, Korea University's horseback riding club, Horseback, is a place where students not only learn the sport of horseback riding but also develop a deep bond with another living being. During the semester, members build a solid foundation in riding skills, which they later put into practice on outdoor trail rides during breaks in destinations such as Mongolia and Jeju Island. Alongside joint exchange events with horseback riding clubs at Seoul National University and Yonsei University, Korea–Yonsei exchange activities, and therapeutic riding volunteer programs, the club has cultivated a close-knit community. We spoke with several members about the sense of peace and the meaningful friendships they have found in the saddle.

Q. It is great to meet you all! What first drew you into the world of horseback riding?

Min-young: I’m Jin Min-young, and I’m in the Department of Public Administration, Incoming Class of 2023. After serving as the club's Riding Coordinator in 2023 and president in 2024, I am now simply enjoying being a member. I had loved horseback riding since elementary school, but I couldn’t ride while I was preparing for college entrance exams. I promised myself that I would start again once I entered university, so I began looking for a riding club even before enrolling. When I found our club on Instagram, I screamed out of excitement.
  Aurore: I’m Aurore from France. I joined the club as an exchange student in 2022 and have continued as a member ever since, even now as a graduate student.
  Seo-yeon: I serve as the Riding Coordinator, managing members' riding reservations and communicating with the riding center. I briefly learned horseback riding in middle school, and those happy memories stayed with me. When I entered university, I decided to take it up again.
 Hanna: I’m Hanna from Poland, and I have been living in Korea for three years. I rode horses when I was younger but took a long break. Last year, I suddenly realized how much I missed being around horses, so I joined the club to ride regularly again.
  Shahrukh: I’m Shahrukh from New Delhi, India. I worked as a software engineer before beginning my master's program in Artificial Intelligence. Back in university, I used to accompany a friend to a horseback riding club with a 135-year history, though only as a guest. After coming to Korea, I wanted to be more than a spectator, so I sought out Horseback.
  Jake: I’m Jake, an exchange student studying business administration. I wanted to learn a new skill and, above all, meet new friends while studying in Korea, so I joined the horseback riding club.

Q. Do you remember the first time you got on a horse? What left the strongest impression on you?

Min-young: I first learned at a ranch near Las Vegas while attending elementary school in the United States. What impressed me most was not actually riding, but everything that came beforehand: grooming the horse, cleaning its hooves, lifting the heavy saddle, and learning how to fit the bridle. I loved realizing that horseback riding was not just a one-time activity but a process of building a relationship with a friend of another species.
  Shahrukh: Sitting in the saddle for the first time was incredible. It felt less like simply riding a horse and more like an intensive course in equine psychology. I was amazed to discover that horses respond more to your energy than to your commands. I will never forget the sense of freedom I felt when I let go of the reins and gently stroked the horse's back.
  Jake: It was an amazing and enjoyable experience. I was especially grateful that everyone at the riding center was so patient and encouraging with me as a complete beginner.
  Seo-yeon: I remember being surprised by how tall the horse was. It was a little intimidating at first, but before long I felt like the main character in a drama, which was both exciting and unforgettable.
  Aurore: Once, I swam across a lake with a horse wearing nothing but a swimsuit and no riding equipment. That feeling of complete freedom is a memory I will always treasure.
  Hanna: It is difficult to explain to someone who has never ridden a horse, but I felt an incredible sense of inner peace. I tend to worry a lot, yet whenever I am riding, my mind becomes calm and quiet.

Q. Since horses are living creatures, communication must be especially important. How do you build that connection?

Seo-yeon: Horses express their emotions through their ears, so learning to read those signals is essential. They are also easily startled, so I avoid making loud noises and try to sense the subtle messages they send through the reins with my fingertips.
  Hanna: Horses have emotions just like people do. When a horse seems tired or in a bad mood, it is important to acknowledge that by thinking, "You must be having a hard day too," and to have the humility to stop riding when necessary.
  Min-young: Intelligent horses often judge their riders by how stable their posture is and whether they handle the saddle confidently. At first, they may ignore you, but it is important to keep improving until the horse comes to respect you. In the end, patience is essential as you wait for the moment when the horse finally responds to your signals.
  Shahrukh: Before every ride, I gently stroke the horse to build trust. A horse that does not trust you will never truly follow you. During my free time, I also study riding posture and leg aids on YouTube to improve my skills.

Q. What has been your most unforgettable moment?

Min-young: It was a ten-day horseback trekking trip across Mongolia in the summer of 2024 with members of Yonsei University's horseback riding club. Galloping across endless grasslands until we were completely exhausted felt almost unreal. I also lost my phone, which forced me into an unexpected digital detox. Spending time with our ger mates, relaxing in hot springs, enjoying lamb dishes, and becoming as close as family are memories I will never forget.
  Seo-yeon: The first time I galloped at full speed across a vast open plain, I was terrified, but that fear quickly turned into exhilaration. I will always cherish the evenings spent playing board games with friends beneath a sky overflowing with stars.

Q. When new members join the club, what do they learn first? What makes Horseback's culture unique?

Seo-yeon: During their first riding session, beginners learn how to walk a horse and how to perform a rising trot.
  Min-young: Before anything else, new members learn essential safety rules, such as never walking behind a horse and wearing fitted pants, as well as the importance of respecting all living creatures. Horseback also has a strong culture of exchange with other universities, including joint events among the three SKY (Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University) universities and our summer horseback trekking trips in Mongolia. Another great advantage is that our alumni are incredibly supportive, making it easy for current members to enjoy club activities without feeling overwhelmed.

Q. What do you find most appealing about horseback riding?

Jake: One of its greatest appeals is that it allows you to experience firsthand how people traveled in the past and appreciate values that are quite different from those of modern life. Riding also motivated me to adjust my sleep schedule every weekend so I could attend lessons, and it gave me the energy to approach my daily life with much more enthusiasm.
  Min-young: It’s as enjoyable as playing a game, yet it is actually an incredible full-body workout. Since you are working alongside another living creature, it also teaches you humility. I developed the habit of finishing my assignments early so I could spend weekends at the riding center, and horseback riding even helped me overcome the loneliness I experienced while studying abroad as an exchange student.
  Seo-yeon: The greatest appeal is being able to connect with a living animal while getting a full-body workout. Whenever academic stress builds up, riding instantly lifts my spirits and helps me enjoy the rest of the day.
  Aurore: Working with an animal that weighs more than 450 kilograms has strengthened not only my physical fitness but also my perseverance and determination to get back up and try again, even after falling from the horse.
  Hanna: More than anything, horseback riding brings me a sense of inner peace by quieting the constant noise in my mind. After a stressful week, arriving at the riding center allows me to forget all my worries and gives me renewed energy to face everyday life.
  Shahrukh: The sense of accomplishment you feel when guiding such a powerful animal using only your breathing and subtle shifts in body weight is extraordinary. In Rajasthan, India, horses are not only a means of transportation but also an integral part of the region's cultural heritage, including traditional dance performances. The Rajput community, in particular, holds horses in high regard for their intelligence and noble spirit. Coming from that cultural background, horseback riding is a reset button that restores both my physical fitness and mental clarity.

Summer 2024 horseback riding in Mongolia