Horse-riding trio takes round-the-island trip

A round-the-island bike trip is a common rite of passage for young Taiwanese. Far less common is attempting the tour on horseback. Earlier this month, three members of an equestrian club in New Taipei set off on a monthlong trip around Taiwan on their horses. Clad in cowboy clothes, the trio has turned heads all over the island. Three riders on top of three horses strut on the streets. Onlookers of this peculiar sight whip out their phones to snap pictures.In early February, the three riders left Bali in New Taipei to embark on a one-month round-the-island horseback journey. Before setting off, they trained the horses not to jump at things that could startle them.Yu Mao-jungEnvironmental company operatorIt was to get them used to cars, firecrackers, and the sounds of whistles and ambulances.Liu Te-chenVeterinarianThe horses are extremely healthy. There have been no accidents and no injuries. There is no maltreatment. During the trip, the horses have been getting 10 minutes of rest every 50 minutes and one day of rest every four days to keep the pace relaxed. As a means of transport, horses too have to follow traffic rules while on the road.Peng Yen-kaiNew Taipei Police DepartmentIf they obstruct traffic, they would be breaching Article 84 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. It states that in the event of poultry, livestock or pets running on roadways and impeding traffic, the owner or persons responsible will be fined between NT$300 and NT$600.Round-the-island cyclists don’t turn heads. But circumnavigating horseback riders still bring out oohs and aahs.