There are so many amazing horse breeds out there that we all love, everything from athletic warmbloods like the Hanoverian, to powerful coldbloods such as the Clydesdale. Even still, there are some breeds that do not get as much time in the spotlight as they deserve. So, I wanted to start a series of posts on lesser known, or rare, horse breeds to raise awareness about them. First up, the Akhal-Teke,
The Akhal Teke comes from Turkmenistan, specifically the region of the Kara Kum desert, where they had to survive with scarce water and food, as well as extreme cold and heat. Because of this, they developed a close relationship with the nomads they roamed with. It is an ancient breed of horse, and the oldest surviving cultured breed.
The Akhal Teke is the only remaining pure strain of the ancient Turkmene horse, which had its name changed many times until its current name was chosen. "Akhal" is the name of an oasis in the Kopet Dag mountains, and "Teke" is named after the Turkmen tribe, who lived at the oasis and raised the original Turkmene horse. It wasn't until 500 years ago that the Russians were introduced to the breed and saw it's value, when the Turkmene horse was brought there. The first Teke stud was founded in Russia, called Zakaspiisky, and it was there that Bainou, the stallion that sired the most prominent breeding lines for the breed, was born.
The Akhal Teke stands out from other horses because of its fine bone structure and sleek, yet muscular look. It has a thin barrel, deep chest, and flat face with almond shaped eyes. The ears are long and thin, its shoulders are sloped, and the neck long and striking. Notably, the Teke has little to no mane or tail, and may or may not have a forelock. It is a member of the hotblood family of horses, meaning its relatives consist of the Arabian and the Barb. Height can range anywhere from 14.2-16.3 hands, and they come in a variety of colors from bay, to gey, to cremello or palomino, because many of these horses have the cream dilution. Additionally, the breed is known for its shiny, almost metallic coat. It gets its sheen since because the hair shafts of the coat have a translucent, rather than opaque medulla.
The Akhal Teke is extremely athletic, known for speed and endurance. Because of this, they are well suited for many equestrian sports, including dressage, show jumping, long distance racing, and general pleasure riding. Its character is calm, level headed, and watchful, so it is perfect for beginners and veterans alike looking for a new partner. Overall, the breed is elegant, striking, well built, and seems like a dream to ride.
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Akhal Teke with me! Be on the lookout for future posts in this series coming soon! Would you consider owning one? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time,
Bry
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