Akhal-Teke History
(pronounced Ah-cull Tek-y)
Akhal-Teke Origin and History
The Akhal-Teke evolved about three thousand years ago in southern Turkmenistan where they are the national emblem. They are named after the nomadic tribe that bred them and are found mostly in Turkmenistan and Russia. These beautiful horses adapt to severe, climatic conditions and remain to be one of the oldest and purest breed of horse still living today. They are thought to be the predecessors of the Arabian and English thoroughbred breeds. Due to their endless stamina and the ability to withstand great extremes of temperature they were originally bred as war mounts and later for racing. Today the Akhal-Teke is used in all competitive equine sports including endurance, dressage, jumping, and eventing. The blood of the Akhal-Teke horse carries an ancient Oriental legacy laced with the endurance born of centuries of survival in the unforgiving Turkmenian deserts.
The Akhal-Teke is the only remaining pure strain of ancient Turkmen horse. In the native language of Turkmenistan the breed name consists of two words: "Akhal," the long oasis nestled in the foothills of the Kopet Dag Mountains (once a part of the kingdom of ancient Persia, now present-day Turkmenistan) and "Teke," after the Turkmen tribe, the dominant nomadic people who inhabited the oasis and for centuries raised the Turkmen horse.
Breed Characteristics
The physical characteristics of the Akhal-Teke are very different from other breeds. Their fine head is carried high with a flexible poll and long, thin neck. The eyes are expressive, almond-shaped, and hooded for protection from the desert sand. Always alert, the ears are long and shapely. Often the mane and tail is sparse. The forelock is also sparse and at times no forelock exists. The Akhal-Teke possesses a sloping shoulder and thin skin. Their bodies are thin with a thin ribcage (compared to that of a greyhound) but the chest is deep with huge lungs. The Akhal-Teke has high prominent withers that slope into a long back with sizes ranging from 14.3h to 16h. Coats come in all solid colors from perlino to black. Their hair structure refracts sunlight which creates a unique metallic sheen and shimmers like molten gold in sunlight.
The versatility of the Akhal-Teke is in a class of its own as they are highly regarded for their speed, stamina, comfortable gaits, intelligence, and trainability. Their action is magnificent with free-flowing moves and a soft gliding, elastic stride. The Akhal-Teke shows natural collection at slow gaits, floating above the ground at the trot. Their conformation makes them an extremely comfortable ride without being gaited.
Although quiet and affectionate in temperament, they are easily aroused and respond best to sensitive training which wins over their remarkable heart. Akhal-Teke horses bond with their owners and have a loyalty that is akin to that normally associated with a dog. Many are friendly to everyone, but some retain an ancestral awareness of strangers. To his regular rider the Akhal-Teke is eager to please and ready to be part of a team. These horses excel at any event requiring endurance and agility including endurance riding, eventing, and dressage. They are an excellent companion to their owner and make excellent all-around horses.
Performance of the Century
In 1935, the Akhal-Teke was tested as perhaps no other horse has ever been. Its purity was being threatened by the introduction of Thoroughbred stallions in an effort to improve racing speed. Then, an epic ride was designed to test the strength and stamina of the Turkmen breed and their suitability as army remounts.
A group of 28 Turkmen riders mounted on Akhal-Teke stallions set off from Ashkhabad to Moscow. In only 84 days, they covered 2,700 miles, passing through some of the most varied topographical and climatic regions in the Soviet Union. At one point they crossed 225 miles of desert in three days, virtually without water. This feat convinced the authorities that the Akhal-Teke should be preserved in its pure form and all out-crossing stopped. The Russians now consider the Akhal-Teke to be a precious genetic wellspring of exceptional value.
The Breed Faces A Major Challenge
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy website shows the status of the Akhal-Teke as threatened. There are approximately 800 to 1,000 of these horses in the United States and approximately 3,500 worldwide. There is a need to import fresh, quality breeding stock from overseas to widen the United States gene pool.
