Akhalteke horse is known as the direct descendant of old Persian horses (also called
Nissian, by the name of the capital of Persian Empire Nissa, which was located nearby to
the present capital of Turkmenistan, Ashkhabad) and is considered to be the oldest
thoroughbred breed of the world.
For its extraordinary beauty, speed and stamina, this horse was highly valued article
since ancient times. The history was formed by Persian king Dareius I. (486 B.C.) or
Alexandr the Great (356-323 B.C). on the back of these horses, the Genghis Khan
(1155-1227 A.C.) didn´t hesitate to set off the war expedition to get some of them.
Also Marco Polo (1254-1324 A.C.) avowed with the admiration to Persian horses in his
travel books.
Contemporary name of the breed is derived from the name of Turkmen tribe Teke, who bred
these horses in oasis named Akhal. The sandy, waterless Turkmenistan, with limited food
base and inhospitable living conditions formed breed with unique characteristics.
The purity of breed was preserved from two main reasons - the first was geographic
isolation of Turkmenistan (from west -the Caspian Sea, from south -mountains,
from north -Kara Kum desert), the second was that there was no reason to cross the
Akhal Teke with other breeds, as they were the best - the fastest, tallest, with great
stamina.
Nowadays, the Akhalteke horse is bred in Turkmenistan (around 40% of population), in Russia
(35%), Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaidzhan and also in Europe and USA. The total number
is around 6.000 horses. At present 18 lines exist within the breed, most of them trace
back to the legendary stallion, 2a Boinou.
The Studbook of Akhalteke horses is managed in Russia, in VNIIK (Institute of Horse
Breeding), in Ryazan region. The Studbook for purebred Akhalteke horses is closed
(to register the offspring, both parents have to be inscribed in the studbook, and
also DNA test confirming the origin is needed). For partbred Akhaltekes is managed
own register with not so strict rules (but DNA test is also obligatory).
Conformation
The head is dry, fine, usually with straight profile, sometimes Roman-nosed, with
wide cheeks and long poll. The eyes are big, expressive, often hooded, similar to eyes
of eagle. The nostrils are wide, thin, ears are nicely shaped, alert. The head joins the
neck at an angle of 45 degrees.
The neck is long, lean, and set very high.
The body is tube-like with narrow breast. The withers are high, long and well-muscled.
The back is long, sometimes with longer weaker loins. Shoulders are long, well muscled.
The legs are long, clean, dry, with long forearm and hard hooves. The fetlocks should not
have any hair. The hind legs are sometimes cow-hocked or sable shaped.
The skin is thin, the coat is very fine and silky. The mane is poor, and not too long,
the forelock is sometimes missed.
Colors
There is variety of colors within the breed - bay, sorrel, black, grey, buckskin, palomino,
cremello and perlino - usually with the typical metallic shine.
Movement
The movement is soft, elastic and impulsive, very comfortable for rider.
Temperament, character
Akhalteke is the horse of very high intelligence and sensitivity, vigorous and
"hot-blooded". Akhalteke is called as "the horse of one-master" for the special bond
he could create with his owner.
Sport
The Akhalteke is the oldest racehorse of the world. Nowadays, it is the second fastest
breed behind English Thoroughbred.
Except racing, akhalteke could be used in any kind of discipline - he can do dressage
on high level, as demonstrated the black stallion Absent, the Olympic winner in 1960
in Rome, he can do jumping well (AT stallion Arslan was several times rated as the
best show-jumper of World Cup Series in Central Asia Region), he is predicted for
endurance riding with his ability of very fast recovering.
Influence of other breeds
The Turkmenian horse was so much superior to other contemporary breeds, that he was
widely used for improving them.
Akhalteke influenced Arab horse (according to lover and breeder of Arab horses, Carl
Raswan, Arabian strain "Muniqi" developed with contribution of Akhalteke), English
Thoroughbred (the Turkmenian roots had the stallions Darcy Yellow Turk, Darcy White Turk,
and probably Byerley Turk), Trakehner (through famous sstallion Turkmen Atti and later
Djeiran), and of course many Russian breeds, as Karabair, Lokai, Kabardin,
Don (in 1839, 800 Akhaltekes were used in breeding of Don) and Orlov horses (through
stallions Gussein-Khan, Ialangush-Khan, Shah, Drakon, according to Prof. V.O.Vitt, the
famous Sultan wasn´t the Arab, but Akhalteke).
Ashkhabad-Moscow Ride
In 1935 Akhalteke and Iomud horses completed the ride from Ashkhabad to Moscow, which
covered the distance of 4.300 km (360 km through the desert, almost without water).
The ride was completed in 84 days. Some of later famous horses participated, e.g.
Arab (sire of Absent, founder of its line), Ak Sakal (founder of its line), Titanik,
Al Sakar, Dor Depel etc.
