Camels..has anyone else ridden one?

I rode one briefly while serving in Kuwait. Very different than a horse. Felt like I was sitting ten feet in the air, which I practically was. It's also weird having no neck in front of you, there's a two foot drop from the saddle to its back then another few feet to their neck since it's a U shape. Comfortable ambling paces though. Had a herd of them come to the gate we were working and none spit. Some had hot brands on their necks. They do smell oddly, but they enjoyed a ice scratch and sharing some of the Kuwaiti soldiers bread.
 
Tai.Ni.Po.Ni said:
TrasaM- sorry can't quote on my phone, I was based out in Dubai. Was an amazing oppertunity working with the camels.
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Hi..thanks for getting back to me. I visit Abu dhabi a lot as hubby is based there. I've syruggled to get a good riding school (horses) as they all the facilities but people wise it's very hit and miss. Quite an experience though .different world.
 
We went on a camel ride in the Sahara in Tunisia when I was little. My dad's and brother's camel got up front legs first and they both fell off the back. Very funny. Still tell the family story now. I remember quite liking the experience!!
 
crazybootlady said:
I rode one briefly while serving in Kuwait. Very different than a horse. Felt like I was sitting ten feet in the air, which I practically was. It's also weird having no neck in front of you, there's a two foot drop from the saddle to its back then another few feet to their neck since it's a U shape. Comfortable ambling paces though. Had a herd of them come to the gate we were working and none spit. Some had hot brands on their necks. They do smell oddly, but they enjoyed a ice scratch and sharing some of the Kuwaiti soldiers bread.
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Great view though :D
 
There was a camel race at a show I was at a few years ago. They appeared to have no breaks or steering and shot back into their holding pen when they had had enough. It looked great fun, I laughed until I cried. I got a lovely photo of them all between races, lying down in a pile!
 
I went on a camel trek into the Gobi desert when we went to China 4 years ago. Rode one for a good couple of hours to get to our campsite and then the 'saddles' that we were sitting on were taken off along with the blankets underneath and these became our beds for the night....smelt very odd and I have to admit to not sleeping very well if I'm honest! The camels were let loose in the desert while we set up camp - they seemed to disappear which was worrying, but they all came ambling back at sunset and were tethered overnight. then we trekked back for a few hours the next day - altogether an amazing experience!

It's a very longway up and down and mounting is fine as long as they stay down until you are settled - one decided to get up before the rider was ready and they were catapulted out of the saddle! Going over steep dunes was very exciting.

I have to say though that I can only say I've ridden a camel in the same way that you can say you've ridden a horse if you've been on a pony trek on holiday. All the camels were following each other and had handlers - I was never in control.

But I did get the whole Lawrence of Arabia fantasy thing - even though it was China rather than Arabia........! LOL!
 
Silvermiyazawa said:
There was a camel race at a show I was at a few years ago. They appeared to have no breaks or steering and shot back into their holding pen when they had had enough. It looked great fun, I laughed until I cried. I got a lovely photo of them all between races, lying down in a pile!
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I know. They are really funny when they race. I was laid up with a virus when in Abu dhabi and ended up watching camel racing on tv! The commentator was very excited! A lot safer now that they use robot jockeys and not little boys. Must try get to see the real thing at some point. :)
 
TrasaM said:
Hi..thanks for getting back to me. I visit Abu dhabi a lot as hubby is based there. I've syruggled to get a good riding school (horses) as they all the facilities but people wise it's very hit and miss. Quite an experience though .different world.
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I worked here http://www.jebelali-international.com/properties/AlSahraDesertResort/EquestrianCenter/Overview.aspx

Absolutely loved it. Very different to anywhere else in that region. All the people were very down to earth and not snobby at all unlike most places. If you're ever there I would recommend a sunset desert ride :)
 
Tai.Ni.Po.Ni said:
I worked here http://www.jebelali-international.com/properties/AlSahraDesertResort/EquestrianCenter/Overview.aspx

Absolutely loved it. Very different to anywhere else in that region. All the people were very down to earth and not snobby at all unlike most places. If you're ever there I would recommend a sunset desert ride :)
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I know the place :) I've not been there yet as I lack a riding partner but I've a cunning plan! I'm taking a friend with me next time and we are planning to do it..when it's cooler. Have heard good things about it. Happily I found a lovely instructor in AD at the royal stables and the horses are well cared for and well trained. it's women only and the staff are all friendly.
 
I rode one in Tunisia earlier this year, he was HUGE, but very lovely, Made some cracking grumbling noises which I can understand people thinking he is nasty.
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My boyfriends was a bit put out that he was given the smaller of the two lol :D
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Also got the opportunity to gallop along the beach which was amazing...
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Overall, great experience, and would do both again!
 
TrasaM said:
I know the place :) I've not been there yet as I lack a riding partner but I've a cunning plan! I'm taking a friend with me next time and we are planning to do it..when it's cooler. Have heard good things about it. Happily I found a lovely instructor in AD at the royal stables and the horses are well cared for and well trained. it's women only and the staff are all friendly.
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would be interesting hear what you have heard about the place. when i started there about 8 months ago the place had been taken over by new management as a kind of rescue thing. when i got there the horses were in such a state it was sickening. the woman that ran it before was a parelli enthusiast and a sandwhich short of a picnic if u ask me and let the horses deteriorate. however over the six months i was there all the horses made a full recover and are all happy and healthy now.
 
Tai.Ni.Po.Ni said:
would be interesting hear what you have heard about the place. when i started there about 8 months ago the place had been taken over by new management as a kind of rescue thing. when i got there the horses were in such a state it was sickening. the woman that ran it before was a parelli enthusiast and a sandwhich short of a picnic if u ask me and let the horses deteriorate. however over the six months i was there all the horses made a full recover and are all happy and healthy now.
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I think you've just explained something to me here. I have a friend based in AD and she told me she used to help out at a rescue centre at jebalali. She said it was an English woman who took in Arabs (horses that is ) from homes where they'd been mistreated. might be same although I did not connect the two at the time.

Love picture 3 . It looks like you're about to be given a big camel kiss: :cool:
 
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