Kodaikanal, 'Switzerland of the East', Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu

This is a favorite tourist activity in Kodaikanal and other hill stations in India. Most of the animals are small ponies which gallantly bear some enormous passengers and put up with much shouting and screaming. There are set routes and distances they cover and soon become programmed as it were to turn back after a certain point. Horse-riding is done around the lake and there are two main points where the horse-wallahs wait for business: one near Bryant Park, another below Carlton Hotel. Much haggling goes on when it comes to the price, though there are set prices mentioned on a road side board; a trot around the lake costs Rs. 40 to Rs. 60. The horse-attendant will run, or cycle, along with you. At the bicycle hire area by the lake you'll be accosted by guides renting horses for high prices. The rate is around Rs. 130 per hour unaccompanied or Rs. 200 with a guide but you can take a short ride for Rs. 25.

Apart from these robot-like ponies, there are now several good horses for hire, some if them ex-race horses from Madras and Bangalore. If you are trained rider and resent being towed-along by a man on a cycle, take off on your own; Sterling has some good soft riding tracks right next to it, that lead up to the lake