If you’ve been following my travels for a while, you know that in the past I couldn't resist exploring a new landscape from the back of a horse

I’ve written before about horse riding on vacation, previously, I was trekking through the rugged Atlas Mountains in Morocco (check out that post here), as well trying to avoid anaconda snakes in Brazil, here, and each experience brings something totally unique to the table

This time, my travels brought me back to the heart of South America, horse riding in Argentina

With this trip I had the incredible opportunity to ride alongside the legends of the grasslands: the Gauchos

For those who haven't met them yet, Gauchos (pronounced "gow-chows") are the iconic cowboys of the Argentine Pampas

Historically nomadic, they are world-class horsemen and cattle ranchers who are as much a part of the landscape as the grass itself

The Gear: Going Native

When you head out for a ride here, most estancias (ranches) will offer you a standard Western saddle, assuming that’s what you’re most comfortable with

But I’m a firm believer in the "when in Rome" philosophy of travel

If I’m riding with Gauchos, I want to ride like a Gaucho

I turned down the Western gear and opted for the traditional South American setup

In this part of the world, you’ll find the Argentine recado criollo and various Brazilian gaucho-style saddles

The Feel of the Recado Criollo

If you’re used to the rigid structure of an English or Western saddle, the recado is a revelation

Unlike our traditional saddles, these typically feature a basic, tree-less, or very light-treed frame

The focus here isn't on a hard seat, but on layers

They use sheepskins and woven rugs to create a seat that is incredibly soft

It’s designed for long, grueling days in the saddle, focusing on maximum comfort for both the horse and the rider

It feels less like sitting on a piece of equipment and more like being part of the horse

Trotting (which is about as fast as I can go) across the vast, open Pampas with the wind in my face and a recado beneath me, it was easy to see why the Gauchos have such a deep bond with their animals

It’s a slower, more intentional way of traveling that connects you to the history of the land in a way a car window never could

Have you ever ditched the familiar gear to try something local on your travels? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks to Pieces of Argentia for the photo