Akhal-Teke horse: use and breeding features. Akhal-Teke horse breed, breed description Akhal-Teke horse breed is one of the best breeds
1. On the edge of the Karakum, where the Kopet-Dag range rises from the midday side, the Akhal oasis stretches in a narrow strip from Bakharden to Artyk at its foot. This is the birthplace of one of the most amazing, oldest among the cultivated Akhal-Teke horse breeds.
Her genealogy goes back to the hoary antiquity of the Central Asian oases, the former greatness of Nisa and Merv, to the "heavenly" horses of Ferghana. The legendary kings and heroes have sunk into oblivion, formidable fortresses and rich cities have been turned into ruins by merciless time, but it turned out to be powerless over the amazing living monument of the glorious past, the Akhal-Teke horse.
The exterior of the Akhal-Teke horse is so exotic that it seems to completely contradict the generally accepted concepts of how a horse should look, and at the same time strikes with some extraordinary, unearthly beauty: after all, these refined, noble forms have been polished for thousands of years. Tall, dry and lean, with a narrow but relatively deep chest, with a high, clearly defined withers, because of which the long back looks slightly inclined forward, with a strong croup, long thin legs, the Akhal-Teke resembles a greyhound dog in its forms. His light dry head, according to K. Gorelov, "is attached to the neck at such an acute angle that no other breed has." And his neck has a peculiar backward curved shape; it is long, thin, flexible and slightly Adam's apple.
The Akhal-Teke horse has a refined, graceful front part of the head, long, thin ears. The forehead is often slightly convex and tapers slightly towards the ears, so that the distance between the ears seems to be quite large; supraorbital cavities are clearly visible. Akhal-Teke eyes are very special: large, expressive, they are deeply set, and protruding superciliary arches give them a characteristic elongated shape.
Akhal-Teke horses are very frisky and on the racetrack they are second only to thoroughbred riding horses, and their sprinting qualities are more developed than those of thoroughbreds. At the same time, in long-distance runs, the fragile-looking Akhal-Teke shows extraordinary endurance, easily endures thirst. In the past, day trips of 150-200 km or more for 712 days in a row were common for Turkmens: this is how they traveled through the desert from well to well.
During the legendary run of 1935, the Turkmen collective farmers covered the distance between Ashgabat and Moscow in 84 days, and they covered the waterless Karakum in three days. The movements of the Akhal-Teke, accustomed to free-flowing sands, are flexible like a cat, a flat gallop, as if gliding above the ground. His temperament is very ardent, he is very energetic, but agile, soft-bridled and easily obeys the rider.
However, the Akhal-Teke is a horse with a developed sense of self-worth, he is very sensitive to inattention, heartlessness on the part of a person. It should not be treated as just sports equipment, but the one who manages to become his friend, the Akhal-Teke will repay a hundredfold.
The suits of the Akhal-Teke horses are varied and very beautiful: not only the usual bay, black, red, gray, but also buckskin of various shades, nightingale, the rarest isabella, which shimmers like mother-of-pearl in the sun. But even the usual suit for the Akhal-Teke often changes, acquiring a bright golden hue, which has been characteristic of the ancestors of this breed since ancient times.
Even Herodotus wrote: "Nisa has yellow horses of all", and the ancient fortress of Bactria Balkh was called Zariaspa, or Golden Horse. The hair of the Akhal-Teke is so silky and delicate, which you will not find on any other horse: it is like a thin satin and gives the suit a special metallic sheen. The tail and mane are thin and sparse; it happens that the mane and bangs are almost completely absent.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the most common suit among Akhal-Teke horses was gray. Gray Tekins often have a silver fringe and a darker mane and tail. The horse of the hero of the Turkmen folk epic Gerogly was called Gara Gyr, which means dark gray. The gray (white) Akhal-Teke horse is also depicted on the modern coat of arms of Turkmenistan.
In 1928 gray horses in the breed was more than 36%, followed by bay color (about 21%), after it - black (14%), red (13.7%), buckskin (10.6%), nightingale (together with Isabella 2.2 %). Now this ratio has changed: the first place is taken by the bay color (40%), the second is the buckskin (more than 20%), then the black (12%), red (11%), gray (8%), nightingale (5%) and isabella (2.5%).
Akhal-Teke horses, with all the specificity of the exterior, have great individual differences. Three types are distinguished in the breed: the main (most common) - tall horses of long lines; the average of its representatives is somewhat shorter, shorter format and shorter lines; massive - very large and relatively massive and broad-bodied horses. Various types existed in the breed in the past: many travelers testify to this.
2. At the origins of the breed. The history of the Akhal-Teke takes us to almost mythical times. As an Arab poet said, "The West was still in the ice, but in the East they were already making music." It was in the East that man created the first specialized types of horses.
On ancient Egyptian papyri and Assyrian bas-reliefs, we already see light-footed and slender horses, which cannot be called simple and outbred.
The technique of raising and training a war horse reached a very high level among the Hittites, Assyrians, Egyptians: this is evidenced by the "Records of the Mittanian Kikkuli", dating from about the 14th century BC. e. However, at the dawn of their development, these great civilizations of antiquity were "horseless".
The horse appeared to them in the II millennium BC; she was a stranger from the east. An analysis of all historical data indicates that Central Asia should be considered the oldest center of cultural horse breeding.
The ancient Iranians who inhabited it from time immemorial had an abundance of horses. The horse played a very important role in the life of these peoples: it was a cult animal, and white horses were sacrificed to the sun god. It was these peoples who stood at the origins of the horse breeding culture, which then spread throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It was from here that the horse penetrated into the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, and it was already a light and frisky war horse for chariots ennobled by centuries of selection.
In the 7th-6th centuries BC. ancient Persia became a powerful power, rival of Greece and Rome. Since that time, ancient historians and poets began to talk about the Central Asian horses, known as the Nisean, as the best in the world, surpassing all others in growth, strength, agility, beauty. “There is a vast plain in Media called Nisei, on which majestic horses are found,” Herodotus wrote about them. Perhaps the name Nisei is associated with the ancient capital of Parthia Nisa, the ruins of which are located near Ashgabat.
In the descriptions of the campaigns of Alexander the Great about the Nisean horses, it is said that "there are no similar ones in any other country; they are ardent, very fast and hardy, of a white and iridescent color, as well as the color of the morning dawn."
Thanks to the qualities of these horses, the Persians were the first to create heavy cavalry: both their horses and their people were clad in copper and iron. The country was very rich in horses, and this allowed the Persians for the first time in the history of mankind to organize a postal message. Most of all, the northern regions that were part of Persia, especially Bactria, were famous for their horse breeding.
In the III century BC. on these lands the Parthian kingdom was formed. The horses of the Parthians were very similar to the former Nisean ones: they were their direct descendants. Here is a description of them left by the Greek poet Oppian (2nd century AD): “These are horses worthy of powerful kings, beautiful in appearance, gently protruding under the rider, easily obeying the bit, they carry their proud hook-nosed head high and soar with glory in their golden manes in the air."
As the agricultural regions of Margiana, Sogd and Bactria developed and grew rich, cultural horse breeding spread farther to the east. Chinese chronicles brought us information about the amazing horses of Ferghana.
Here, in the vicinity of modern Kokand, at the beginning of our era, there was a state that the Chinese called Davan. It was inhabited by the agricultural people of Iranian origin, "skilled in equestrian shooting." The Davanians possessed a small but extremely valuable breed of horses, about which the Chinese said: "they have bloody sweat, and they come from the breed of heavenly horses."
To get "heavenly argamaks", the Chinese emperor twice sent military expeditions to Davan. Images of these horses, strikingly reminiscent of modern Akhal-Teke horses, were discovered by Soviet archaeologists on rocks in the southeastern part of the Ferghana Valley.
From the middle of the 1st millennium A.D. e. in Central Asia, the Turkic tribes are gaining more and more influence. The Parthians and Bactrians were replaced by Turkmens; they also inherited wonderful horses from them. The epicenters of political storms were located in the flourishing valleys of present-day Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which were more attractive to conquerors. At the same time, the way of life of the Turkmens, fenced off by mountains and sands, did not change much, so here the ancient breed was preserved in purity and in all its splendor. The life of the Turkmens took place in frequent raids and wars with formidable and powerful neighbors, so the agility and fighting qualities of horses were very important to them. In the 8th-10th centuries, Turkmens on Turkmen horses even made up the guards of the Baghdad caliphs.
3. A horse in the life of a Turkmen. The name of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses was given by the Akhal oasis and the Turkmen Teke tribe, which from time immemorial bred these horses.
As early as the beginning of the 20th century, Teke horses from Akhal were called Akhal-Teke, and from the Tejen oasis - Tejen-Teke. The Tekins kept horses one or two in the yard or near the yurt. The foal grew up as a member of the family, surrounded by attention and love - it is not for nothing that the Akhal-Teke horses are distinguished by such devotion to the owner and sometimes alertness to strangers, which is why they react so sensitively to the frequent change of riders.
The Turkmen raised for himself not just a horse-assistant, but a friend-horse that would not let you down either in battle, or in a race, or in a many-day passage through the sands. After all, the life of a warrior often depended on such a horse. "These beautiful animals are worth all the hard work...
In fact, amazing creatures, valued by the sons of the desert more than wives, more than children, more own life"- this is how the traveler Vambery wrote about Turkmen horses.
To decorate the horse, the Turkmen did not spare silver and semi-precious stones. The Turkmen horse headdress is an echo of the legendary past: today the underarms and collars are just decoration, but once they protected the neck and chest of the horse during the battle. But silver and carnelian are for the holiday, but here is the aladzha, a colorful lace made of camel hair, always around the neck of the Akhal-Teke horse: this is a kind of talisman, sometimes an amulet with a saying from the Koran was tied to it.
Horse racing has always been a favorite sport for Turkmens. There is such a legend: when the bay handsome man had no equal in the race, they chose the falcon as his rival. The bird flew like an arrow, but the horse still overtook it for a moment. It is not easy to raise such a horse, and the Tekins had special methods of raising and training a horse. The feed was low-volume, but very high-calorie: selected grain, cakes with mutton fat, sheaves of dried alfalfa. From heat and cold they covered with felt blankets. Instead of cleaning - a sand bath: in hot weather, the horse was taken to a site free from vegetation and allowed to lie in the hot sand.
They prepared very carefully for raids and races: the horse for "drying" was worked under a felt mat, so that not a single gram of excess fat remained in it. If, after a frisky race, the horse drank greedily, it was believed that it was not yet ready for the test. In the methods of work of the Turkmen trainers-seyis, much turned out to be similar to the system of training racehorses adopted in Europe.
Illiterate Turkmens did not keep written genealogies, but sometimes they knew the origin of their horses better than their ancestors.
In the 1920s, Soviet animal scientists K. Gorelov and G. Neelov did a titanic job, recording and putting together these oral traditions, which formed the basis of the Akhal-Teke breed book. Strict selection of the best horses for the tribe, individual selection of queens from well-known producers, methods of upbringing and rearing tested by many generations - all this ensured the superiority of the Akhal-Teke horse over other breeds.
Akhal-Teke in Europe. According to the famous Soviet hippologist Professor V. O. Vin, the Akhal-Teke breed is "the golden fund of the cultural riding horse of the whole world, the last drops of that source of pure blood that created all horse breeding." It is from this source that the most significant of modern breeds originate: the Arabian and Thoroughbred.
The importance of the Turkmen horse is also great for horse breeding in the countries of the East: not only in Central Asia, but also in the Caucasus, Persia, and Turkey. In the stables of khans, emirs, shahs, there were many Turkmen, especially Teke, horses. Often, under the name of Persian and Turkish, it was Turkmen horses that got into Europe: after all, they were exported from areas subject to the Turkish sultan or the Persian Shah. Such well-known breeds as Karabair, Lokay, Kabardian, as well as many breeds of Iran and Turkey carry Turkmen blood. The Karabakh breed, once the best in the Caucasus, also comes from Turkmen horses.
4. In Russia, the attitude towards the Akhal-Teke horse has always been special. Our ancestors knew and loved Turkmen horses since the time of Ivan the Terrible, they were called argamaks. There were even Argamach stables in Moscow. Close trade relations with the East allowed Argamaks to become the main improvers of Russian riding breeds.
Turkmen horses had a great influence on the formation of the Don, Oryol riding, Rostopchin, Streltsy breeds. Back in the middle of the 19th century, argamaks accounted for more than a third of the livestock of state stud farms. However, later the Akhal-Teke horse was completely forgotten both in Russia and in the West.
At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century, the popularity of the Arabian horse sharply increased in Europe. For a number of reasons, it turned out to be more accessible for mass export than other oriental breeds, and became much more widespread.
Gradually, the Arabian horse in the eyes of a European turned into an almost supernatural creature. She became the standard of beauty and pedigree, she was considered to be the oldest and most thoroughbred in the world.
All valuable breeds of the East were considered descendants of Arabian horses. Even barbarian, Turkish, Persian stallions, which entered European stud farms in the 17th-19th centuries, were rewritten "in Arab".
While the Arabian horse continued its triumphal march through the stud farms of Europe, the Akhal-Teke remained in the shadows. Travelers and the military, who happened to see them, left rave reviews about them, but still considered this breed, at best, "a cross between a Persian and an Arabian horse."
And only the appearance in 1895 of the work of Professor V. Firsov marked the beginning of a reassessment of the role of the Turkmen horse in the development of world horse breeding.
Having carefully studied the history of the peoples of the East, Firsov proved that the origin of the Turkmen horse is independent and much more ancient than the Arabian. These studies were continued by V. O. Witt, V. O. Lipping, M. I. Belonogov and other Soviet hippologists. It turned out that the Arabian breed is not only not the oldest in the world, but also younger than many other oriental breeds.
The fact is that in pre-Islamic Arabia, a horse was a rarity: neither ancient historians, nor even the contemporaries of the Prophet Muhammad, mention the magnificent Bedouin horse. The Arabian horse appears on the historical arena after the Arabs, under the banner of Islam, conquer Central Asia and North Africa.
Having mastered the most important horse-breeding regions, they export the best horses and adopt the culture of breeding a thoroughbred war horse. Centuries-old purebred breeding in new conditions and directed selection have made the Arabian breed very distinctive, unlike its Turkmen relatives. However, there is evidence that relatively recently, some Arab tribes poured Turkmen blood into their horses in order to increase their agility and growth.
The origin of the thoroughbred riding breed, which in the 19th century was also attributed exclusively to Arab ancestors, appeared in a different light: many of the breeding eastern stallions that participated in its creation were in fact not Arab, but barbarian, Turkish, Persian, Turkmen.
The description of one of the three ancestors of the thoroughbred horse breed, Darley Arabian, is quite consistent with the Turkmen breed. No wonder the Europeans noted with surprise at the first acquaintance with the Turkmen argamak! his resemblance to a thoroughbred horse: the same large stature, the same long lines, a slight inclination of the back to the front, exceptional dryness and pedigree. And the point here is not only in genetic kinship: this is a characteristic physique of an extremely specialized fast-gait racehorse, so different from the rounded shapes of the miniature Arab.
The influence of the Turkmen horses was also great on the half-blooded breeds of Europe, especially the Trakehner. The most striking trace was left in the factories of Prussia, and other European countries, by the golden-bay stallion Turkmen-Atti. This nickname was assigned to him after the Turkish envoy, seeing a stallion on a parade brood in Berlin, exclaimed: "Turkmen ati!", That is, "Turkmen horse." The beauty of the stallion made such an impression that he was supplied by the manufacturer to the Neustadt stud, located near Berlin, where he was used very widely. He gave more than 30 valuable stallions, 17 of which entered the Trakehner stud farm. In total, about 300 descendants of Turkmen-Atti were used in Trakenen, and thanks to the skillful use of inbreeding on Turkmen-Atti and his best children, a type of noble and blooded horse was formed in Trakenen.
5. Akhal-Teke today. Akhal-Teke rightfully belongs to the first place in a number of purebred breeds, such as English and Arabian. However, unlike them, the Akhal-Teke breed, at least for the last hundred years, has existed in conditions of a limited gene pool. Even now, when interest in the breed is growing not only in Turkmenistan and Russia, but also in Western countries, its total number does not exceed 3,000 heads.
The fate of the Akhal-Teke in the 20th century was difficult. On the one hand, after the accession of Turkmenistan to Russia in 1881, the Europeans, as it were, rediscovered this breed. On the other hand, the way of life of the Turkmens changed: the robbery raids were put to an end, which undermined the economic basis for breeding a thoroughbred riding horse. And the appearance of purebred horse sires in the region against the backdrop of the Turkmens' passion for horse racing created a temptation to "improve" the breed by crossing with them. In addition, the already small breeding material was periodically taken away.
So, in 1904-1905, the British brought 214 Teke queens to India, and in 1919-1920 - 60 of the best stallions. In 1926-1927, 270 stallions and 85 mares were taken to the Caucasus and other regions for military repair stud farms. But from the very beginning of Russian rule, there were people in Turkmenistan who realized what a priceless treasure fell into their hands. And how many times already in Soviet times only the enthusiasm of devoted admirers of the Akhal-Teke horse saved it from extinction and unjustified breeding!
In 1897, thanks to the governor of the king, General Kuropatkin, in the village of Keshi near Ashgabat, the Trans-Caspian stud stable was organized, which later turned into a breeding center of the breed - the history of the leading stud farm in Turkmenistan named after I.I. Niyazov, which in Soviet times was called "Komsomol". The manager of this stable was the Kuban Cossack G. A. Mazan.
Remarkable stallions were collected here, which subsequently laid the foundation for most lines of the Akhal-Teke breed: Raven, Mele Chep, BabaAkhun, Mele Kush, Boynou. exceptionally valuable producer.
By the end of the 1920s, the Akhal-Teke breed was literally "soaked" in Boinou's blood: he gave rise to 13 out of 18 currently existing male lines.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Akhal-Teke horses began to be bred outside Turkmenistan: today, among the leading farms are the Lugovskoy stud farm in Kazakhstan, the Stavropol and Dagestan stud farms in Russia.
In terms of the number of breeding stock of Akhal-Teke horses, Russia ranks second in the world, and the pets of many farms are exceptionally typical and correctly built.
The most numerous of the modern lines goes back to the golden bay stallion Gelishikli (he is a descendant of Sultan Guli, not Boinou): its best representatives are very typical, they have a pedigree head with a "Turkmen" eye. The lines of Kir Sakar, Kaplan, Yel are also widespread. The line, founded by the stallion Arab, the father of the famous Absent, is characterized by horses of a massive type, sometimes somewhat rough.
The abilities of the Akhal-Teke horses are very multifaceted: due to their unique qualities, they can find a wide variety of applications. Despite their exoticism, they proved to be excellent horses for classic equestrian sports.
The sports potential of the breed is very high - it is enough to recall such a "star" of world-class dressage as Absinthe: Sergey Filatov won gold medal, four years later at the Tokyo Olympics - bronze, and in 1968 at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, another rider Ivan Kalita was fourth on Absinthe. Then Absent was called the best sports horse in the world.
Akhal-Teke horses also have excellent jumping qualities, and they have a peculiar jumping style. In the post-war years, Absent's father, Arab, distinguished himself in overcoming obstacles. This gray stallion participated in the Ashgabat-Moscow race in 1935, and then successfully performed in Moscow at the All-Union competitions for 12 years; in 1946, already at the age of 16, he became the winner in show jumping "USSR Cup" and "Higher Class". Small but pedigree Penteli, under the saddle of master of sports V. Lisitsyn, for several years in a row held the brand of the best jumping horse in the country: in 1969 they were second in the "Higher Class" competition at the USSR Championship, and in 1971 they won the USSR Cup.
Especially promising is the use of Akhal-Teke horses in distance running competitions. This type of equestrian sport has become increasingly popular in recent years. The extraordinary endurance of the Akhal-Teke horses, proven by more than one generation, the ability to quickly restore strength, open wide opportunities for the breed here.
The Akhal-Teke horse is unique: having survived millennia, it has fully preserved its best qualities. But everything beautiful is fragile. Our ancestors bequeathed this priceless gift to us, and it depends on us whether our children will get it.
Akhal-Teke or Akhal-Teke horse is an ancient breed bred on the territory of modern Turkmenistan. They not only did not change their original appearance over the years of existence, but also influenced the creation of other breeds, for example, the Arabian or Thoroughbred riding. Their world population is very limited, as breeders carefully try to keep the blood purity. Differ in a fine exterior and working qualities. From the article you will learn the features of this breed and the requirements for home maintenance. It is also worth paying attention to how the horse looks and why it is bred.
Characteristics of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses
The Akhal-Teke horse breed is one of the most expensive in the world. Breeding these stallions is considered not only a great luxury, but also a status occupation. This is the oldest breed, which became the basis for most modern riding horses.
This is what the Akhal-Teke breed of horses looks like
History of the breed
The origin of the Akhal-Teke originates in antiquity. The first mention of this breed dates back to the Parthian state. Later, they began to withdraw to the territory modern countries Middle East and Turkmenistan. It was the Turkmens who were able to preserve the breed, since hardy horses were the only means of transportation for them. They were kept exclusively near the houses, fed well and devoted a lot of time to training.
They taught not only to ride fast and respect the rider, but also to help the rider during the battle - to bite and kick the enemy. This largely influenced not only the exterior of the horse, but also its character.
This breed had many names - Massaget, Parthian, Persian. Only in the 18th century did it receive its current name. The name is formed from two words: an oasis - Akhal, as well as a tribe - Tege, who lived in that region. You may also be interested in information about the Shire horse, as well as information about its
On the video - a description of the breed:
Despite the centuries-old history, the Akhal-Teke breed of horses today has practically not changed its appearance. Starting with the Turkmen, they were treated in a special way. During the years of active breeding, there have been almost no cases of inbreeding, since there is no blood that could improve this breed. They try to maintain purebredness even today. It is believed that the best horses can only be found at stud farms in Stavropol, Dagestan and the Moscow region, where they are bred for sporting purposes.
In the Russian Empire, the Akhal-Teke breed, like all other horses of the oriental suit, was called argamak. It was they who were actively used by the Don Cossacks to improve the qualities of their horses.
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Dimensions and weight
Akhal-Teke horses are tall horses, their height reaches 1.6 m, mares are usually smaller than stallions. A chest girth of at least 1.75 m, because they need a lot of oxygen while running. Body length along the oblique line - up to 1.65 m. Average weight- 400-450 kg. 
They have a graceful and light head. Many horse breeders note expressive and intelligent eyes, as well as an aristocratic profile. The ears are very mobile, the correct form. The neck is graceful, especially beautiful during the movement of the horse. The legs are straight with pronounced muscles. The hooves are small but incredibly hard. Developed limbs allow them to overcome up to 250 km per day. Have developed back, which can withstand even a massive rider. Sloping croup and a small low tail. The abdomen is tucked up, the ribs are straight.
There are three varieties of the breed, depending on the constitution - lean and tall, average, as well as large and massive stallions. The Akhal-Teke has practically no mane and bangs, but the texture of the coat is one of the advantages of the breed. It resembles satin, due to which it shimmers in the sun and is extremely pleasant to the touch.
The Turkmens called the Akhal-Teke breed the royal breed because of its graceful forms, beautiful wool and excellent racing qualities. Horses were used as a gift to the heads of other states.
Other characteristics
The peculiarities of the upbringing of the Akhal-Teke people directly affected their character. These are temperamental, quick-tempered and energetic animals. They do not tolerate strangers next to them, they trust only their master, becoming strongly attached to him. They get along well with children, absolutely do not tolerate aggression and neglect of themselves.
Distrust of strangers remains in the breed at the genetic level. The Turks loved their horses, allocated a separate and spacious pen for each individual, and fed them with high-quality food. They considered them friends, had a close relationship with them. Because of envy, other residents could throw stones at the animal, so trust is an artificial characteristic, instilled later. 
Horses of this breed have an exceptional mind. They are happy to learn commands, try to hone their skills. Some coaches note that sometimes it is difficult to work with Akhaletans if they do not want to follow commands - they will not do it. This problem can only be corrected with patience and affection, to which horses respond very sensitively.
Despite thin skin, they are able to endure almost any temperature, both cold and hot. The amazing endurance of the breed is noted. They are one of the best horses for sports competitions.
Breed researchers say that despite the slender physique, an adult stallion could carry two large warriors in full uniform.
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They are recommended to be kept in an individual spacious pen, which should have constant access to food and water. The stable should be regularly ventilated and cleaned once a week. 
To maintain the physical shape and temper of the animal, regular physical activity is extremely important. For this, fast trips over rough terrain are suitable. Akhal-Teke horses love when they communicate with them, so while riding you need to keep in touch with the horse. Intellectual load is also necessary.
During the summer, animals can be allowed to graze, but they should not be given much freedom. The peak of physical flowering in this breed comes late - at 4-5 years old, however, the foal needs to start training from the first year.
All horses sports direction saddle and bridle are made individually. The main thing is that it should be comfortable for the animal, the bit should not break the teeth, and the saddle should not rub the back. After each ride, the hooves should be inspected for injuries and cracks. A veterinary examination is required every 3 months. But how the horse of the Frisian breed is kept, can be seen in this
Feeding
Nutrition is not much different from other breeds. Due to the fact that they grew up in a hot climate, little water is required, but access to it must be constant. The diet should consist of soft and solid food. 
For this purpose, hay, fresh herbs, and cereals (oats or barley) are used. At least 5 kg of feed is needed per day for one adult. Vegetables and fruits are recommended to be given in the form of treats, and not as the main food.
Vitamins and mineral supplements are required only for show horses and during pregnancy and illness. It is advisable to observe the diet, portions should be small, but frequent.
With a deficiency of vitamins in food, the coat quickly begins to lose its silkiness and satin texture. There may be problems with teeth and hooves.
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Comparison with other breeds
Akhal-Teke horses are special horses. They require specific handling and individual approach. This breed is not suitable for a novice owner, and if handled poorly, the animal can become aggressive and dangerous.
Akhal-Teke horse
They are considered excellent horses, so they are widely used for racing and competition. However, they enter the peak of physical form late, only by the age of 3-4 they enter puberty and are not famous for good fertility. At proper training and circulation, they are revealed in all their glory during races at the hippodrome, where they compete only with the Arab and Russian riding breed. You may also be interested in information about how it looks and how it contains
Price - how much does an Akhal-Teke horse cost
The cost of a stallion of the Akhal-Teke breed starts from 200 thousand rubles. The price depends on the pedigree, physique and exterior of the horse. Isabella horses are considered the most expensive, the cost for them varies from 500 thousand rubles to 1-2 million rubles. But what is the cost of a heavy horse of a large breed and which of them are the best, it is indicated
The Akhal-Teke breed is an ancient animal with an interesting history. Features of their content and use influenced the appearance as well as the character. Today they belong to the elite breed, breeders try to keep the blood purity without resorting to inbreeding during breeding. Horses become attached to one person, require proper treatment. If they are answered with affection and care, they are ways to demonstrate incredible intelligence and physical characteristics.
The Akhal-Teke horse is an oriental breed of riding horses. From the description of the breed, you can find out that it is one of the most ancient, which has survived to this day. These horses are not numerous, and therefore very expensive.
They are highly valued not only because of their relative rarity, but also because of their exceptional exterior and high working qualities.
They named the breed in honor of the Turkmen tribe Teke, which bred the best representatives breed, and in honor of the Akhal oasis, which had the most horses.
History of the breed Akhal-Teke horses
The breed originated from local horses that belonged to the nomads of Central Asia. These horses were known 3500 years ago. Even then, the Akhal-Teke horses were sharply different from other horses due to their high growth, dry physique and grace.
By origin, the Akhal-Teke breed is close to the Arabian breed. It is even suggested that these horses may be the ancestors of Arabian horses, but most likely these breeds developed in parallel.
In ancient times, Akhal-Teke horses were bred in the Parthian kingdom, later they were bred in Turkmenistan and Persia. And only the Turkmen managed to keep the breed in the country. This was facilitated by the fact that the horses among the Turkmens were very much appreciated, since they were the only means of transportation, the life of horsemen depended on the horses during the wars. Horses were grazed in oases, fed with grain and cakes, in winter they were brought into tents and covered with blankets. The best horses were kept not in the herd, but near the dwelling, while the owner devoted a lot of time to training, as a result of which the horses bit and kicked the opponent's horse in battle, helping the owner to gain the upper hand.
Thanks to this content of Akhal-Teke horses, they have formed a special character and external data. Over the centuries, the external data of the Akhal-Teke horses have not changed; today they look the same as in ancient times.
Appearance Akhal-Teke horses
The height of the Akhal-Teke horses at the withers ranges from 147-163 cm. The physique is dry, there is not even a drop of fat, muscle mass redundant.
The head is large, also dry, with a curved profile. The ears are thin and relatively large. The eyes are almond shaped. The neck is set high, flexible and long. The chest is not very wide, but deep. The legs are strong and long.
The skin is thin, the relief of subcutaneous vessels stands out on it. The coat is short, not thick, silky. The tail and mane are quite rare, sometimes the mane is practically absent altogether. Among this breed there is an anomaly due to which foals are born almost bald, as a rule, they die in the first months.
The wool of the Akhal-Teke horses is characterized by an unusual sheen. The most common colors are golden-red, golden-nightingale, golden-bay, buckskin and black, and the isabella suit is rare. There may be white markings on the legs and head.
Characteristic features of the breed
The walk, trot and canter of this breed are smooth and high. This method of movement was developed by the Akhal-Teke horses when moving along the quicksands of the deserts. Although these horses look very graceful in appearance, they are distinguished by increased endurance: they can go without water and food for long periods of time, make long journeys, tolerate hot climates well, they are not well adapted to frost, but tolerate them better than other southern breeds.
This breed is riding, therefore it is adapted to walking under the saddle. The character was formed as a result of special conditions of detention. Since the horses were often kept alone, in close proximity to housing, the Akhal-Teke horses developed a high attachment to people. They are called horses of one owner, as they are having a hard time changing owners.
They need a subtle psychological approach. Akhal-Teke horses are very smart, they feel the rider perfectly, but at the same time they are independent, and if the rider fails to establish contact with the horse, he will decide for himself what to do. That is why Akhal-Teke horses are considered difficult for sports. But they are very loyal. Like all southern breeds, they have a "hot" disposition, they are quickly excited, but do not show excessive aggression.
ApplicationAkhal-Teke horses
Most often, this breed was used as war horses, as well as for falconry. For ordinary trips, they were used less often. And they were never harnessed to wagons at all, they were not beasts of burden.
Today, they are most often involved in smooth races and distance races, and less often in dressage and show jumping. Although these horses are very frisky, in terms of speed they lose to horses of the English riding breed. In Turkmenistan, special prizes have been organized for the breed of Akhal-Teke horses.
Akhal-Teke horses are well suited for horse riding competitions. They also performed well in circus training, where their smooth movements and subtle intelligence are very appropriate.
These horses are late maturing - the best sports uniform they begin at 4-6 years old, so keeping them is quite expensive.
population declineAkhal-Teke horses
Throughout the thousand-year history, the breed of Akhal-Teke horses has remained unchanged. This became possible thanks to the methods of folk selection. The pedigree of horses was not kept in a stud book, but passed down from generation to generation of Turkmens. But in the twentieth century, the breed began to decline. Factory breeding caused significant damage to the breed.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Turkmen stud farms received a directive to reduce the number of livestock. As a result of this thoughtless law, the best breeding individuals were sent to the slaughter. It is worth noting that the Turkmens themselves did not eat horsemeat sausage, since horses have always been the national treasure of Turkmenistan.
The livestock has not only been reduced, but genetic diversity has been lost. The breed began to be bred again when its status became threatening. The largest population is in Turkmenistan, Russia is in second place in terms of the number of breeding stock of Akhal-Teke horses. In the USA and European countries, there are also small livestock, where this breed is also valued and enjoys great love for its uniqueness and beauty.
In horse breeding, there is no more graceful and more elegant breed of horse than the Akhal-Teke. These horses, with a long history, have retained all the original features inherent in the breed.
Akhal-Teke horses are from Turkmenistan. About five thousand years ago, this breed was bred, and, since then, it has not crossed with any other breed. Thus, the Akhal-Teke became the reference purebred breed.
Conditions for the formation of the breed
The Akhal-Teke horse was originally from the desert Turkmen regions. People needed hardy, light and fast horse. In addition to these qualities, the Akhal-Teke breed had to be bold and quick-witted.
These horses were taken care of, considered their family members. Animals were groomed, cared for and treated with great care. Thus, it was possible to get very hardy, fast, graceful and courageous breed. Akhal-Teke people are famous for their eccentric and desperate character.
The endurance of Turkmen horses is fantastic. They withstand temperature fluctuations from +50 to -30 degrees. At the same time, animals do not lose their working qualities.
Naturally, in uncomfortable climate conditions, it is necessary not to subject animals to overload unless absolutely necessary. The Akhal-Teke breed is hardy, but Turkmen horses should not be subjected to excessive overloads. Turkmen horses very active and mobile.
Gallery: Turkmen horse (25 photos)
Name history
The name "Akhal-Teke" came from the merger of the two words "akhal" and "teke". “Akhal” means the name of the oasis where these horses were distributed, and “Teke” is the name of the Tekin tribe who distributed these horses.
Turkmen Akhal-Teke horses have become an adornment of the Turkmen ethnic group. The Tekins were very fond of horse racing, so the Akhal-Teke horses were famous for their speed qualities. The participation of Akhal-Teke horses in the races gave good results. In Russia, in the old days, Akhal-Teke people were called "Argamak».
Akhal-Teke Exterior
general characteristics different from other breeds. Akhal-Teke has high growth, dry constitution. Some compare the Akhal-Teke with a greyhound or a cheetah. They muscular and light.
The whole appearance of the Akhal-Teke horse is elongated. Long graceful neck long slender legs . Akhal-Teke horses have one characteristic feature: some individuals of this breed do not have a mane.
In other individuals, the mane is not so luxurious. This is due to the fact that argamaks lived in a hot climate, in addition, excessive vegetation could negatively affect the speed of the horse.
The use of the Akhal-Teke in the modern world
The Akhal-Teke horse is not an easy horse. The cost of elite horses is very high. Therefore, keeping these beautiful animals is not a cheap pleasure.
In addition, Akhal-Teke horses need special care. Despite their endurance and unpretentiousness, the Akhal-Teke horses need care carefully and carefully. The Akhal-Teke breed of horses is expensive, but it justifies and pays for itself, if used correctly.
Akhal-Teke is used mainly V sports . Naturally, such a horse will not carry a team, but the Akhal-Teke horses give good results in the races. Akhal-Teke horses can also be taught to play polo.
Some athletes use Turkmen horses - Akhal-Teke in dressage competition. The slenderness and grace of graceful animals gives beauty and elegance an advantage over other participants.
These animals active and assertive. Argamaks are distinguished by their courage and determination, so they will be in demand in equestrian games.
Variety of suits
Akhal-Teke horses come in a variety of colors. The most popular is the Isabella suit of horses. Isabella is the color of baked milk, which changes its shade depending on the lighting.
Akhal-Teke may be silver and pink and blue. The difference in colors, combined with the blue eyes of these beauties, make the Akhal-Teke the most elegant and unusual animals of the equids order.
The hairline of the Akhal-Teke horse is distinguished by gentle softness. Animal fur has a satin sheen. The horses are very tall. Horse height reaches a meter at the withers. Huge animals, however, are distinguished by grace and elegance.
The eyes of the Tekins are slightly slanted. On the head are perfectly shaped ears. You will not meet Akhal-Teke in wild nature. People are breeding them. For use in equestrian games, horse races, dressage, such horses are bred.
Features of caring for the Akhal-Teke horse
In the content of the Akhal-Teke horse, one must take into account their wayward character. The fact is that these horses have long been raised like a horse for one owner. Therefore, they do not obey the grooms and the staff caring for the Akhal-Teke horses.
This is an independent animal. He has a well-developed sense of the rider. If the rider has no contact with the horse, he can do with him as he pleases.
It is advisable to entrust the upbringing of the Akhal-Teke professional groomer. Peak physical development for the Tekins, it comes rather late - at 4–5 years. Caring for these Turkmen horses includes the following:
- feeding;
- daily bathing;
- cleaning;
- long walks.
Akhal-Teke nutrition
Feeding the Akhal-Teke horse breed differs little from feeding other breeds of horses. These animals appeared in a hot climate, so they are able to do without water for a long time.
These horses are very love fresh grass, therefore, it is necessary to use every opportunity to feed them with fresh grass or drive them out to free pasture. It is advisable to feed them with selected hay to avoid problems with digestive system.
If the horse is exposed to high physical activity don't feed her oats or barley. It will be much more useful to include beets, carrots and potatoes in her diet. Additionally, for the development of muscles, give alfalfa or soy.
Fiber, which is part of their composition, will make bones and muscles strong, and teeth strong. Vitamins should be given when absolutely necessary.
Akhal-Teke horses are great for riding. Their swift power and lightness will come in handy in this area. And also athletes appreciate their soft smooth gait.
They are also used for dressage. The grace and grace of the horse will give more positive points when evaluating abilities and conformation.
In the upbringing of the Akhal-Teke, one should take into account their freedom-loving and independent character. These horses will not allow themselves to be used with compulsion. Only love and gentle treatment can bring up the Akhal-Teke horse.
Varieties of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses
Akhal-Teke breeding
Akhal-Teke breeds in stud farms naturally. But horse breeders prefer artificial insemination because this way is more efficient.
The mare's pregnancy lasts eleven months. Usually, one foal is born, very rarely a mare brings two foals. In the first minutes, the foals are somewhat clumsy, but after a few hours, they begin to move actively and cling to their mother's nipples.
They soon move freely on their own. Foal breast milk for six months. Later, it is transferred to plant foods.
Akhal-Teke horses are quite an expensive breed of horses. But it is actively bred in Turkmenistan, and in Russia, and in America. True connoisseurs of horses value their horses very much. They keep them in royal conditions and surround them with affection and care. Akhal-Teke in our days is property of the whole people, carefully stored and protected by horse breeders.
Attention, only TODAY!
The Akhal-Teke breed is one of the world trendsetters in horse fashion. This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest purebred breed, in demand to this day. The ancient origin allowed the Akhal-Teke to become the de facto progenitors of most modern race breeds. The huge contribution to the development of world horse breeding made by this animal is so great that it is this breed that is depicted today on the state emblem of Turkmenistan - the historical homeland of the Akhal-Teke horses.
The origin of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses
It is believed that the Akhal-Teke horse appeared about 3 thousand years BC. in the region that is today occupied by Turkmenistan. Given the fact that a pure population that has not crossed with other horses has survived to this day, Akhal-Teke horses are considered the standard of riding horses.
We owe the appearance of the breed to the Iranian-speaking peoples of Central Asia, who loved and respected these animals very much. In an effort to create an ideal horse, these people created the Akhal-Teke horses we know today.
It is noteworthy that by the time the Akhal-Teke breed appeared, the then centers of civilization, such as Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, had not yet used these animals. The domestic horse came to them from Central Asia, that is, in fact, the Akhal-Teke became the progenitors of all other horse breeds in the Western world. According to some reports, even eastern civilizations (China, Japan) acquired horses precisely through the Akhal-Teke horses.
Mentions that the best horses in the world are bred in the region of modern Turkmenistan are found everywhere in ancient literature, starting from the time of the pharaohs. Only in the Middle Ages, the importance of the breed began to be lost, since the famous descendants of the Akhal-Teke - Arabian horses, Andalusians, etc. began to prevail in Asia and Europe.
As Europe and the Arab world managed with local animals, the Akhal-Teke breed of horses remained in great demand in Central Asia and Rus' (we then called it "argamak"). However, by that time very few people were monitoring the purity of the breed, and it was on the verge of blurring. The breed was saved by the expansion of the Russian Empire into Central Asia. By the time the Russians arrived in the second half of the 19th century. purebred livestock remained only in the Akhal-Teke oasis. So the breed got its modern name.
With the establishment of Soviet power, serious selection work began, aimed at "modernizing" this ancient and slightly outdated breed. The main efforts were made to increase the height of the horse and correct some flaws in the exterior. Thanks to this, modern Akhal-Teke horses differ from their ancestors who lived a thousand years ago, only in height and more correct figure. And all other unique characteristics that make the Akhal-Teke horse the best or one of the best have been preserved.
From the Soviet Union, the Akhal-Teke horse began to spread around the world again. Re-discovering this breed, the Western world began to use the familiar name for us - Akhal-Teke. Today, these horses are bred in dozens of countries around the world, but the most numerous livestock is in Russia and Turkmenistan.
Akhal-Teke horse - character, features, exterior
The characteristics of the breed are a direct result of the conditions in which it was bred. Nomadic peoples needed horses that could easily endure both fast races and long journeys. And all this in conditions of exhausting heat, a shortage of pastures and watering places. As a result, lean "dry" horses were bred with a minimum amount of subcutaneous fat, very hardy and not at all capricious in matters of nutrition.
Like many thoroughbred horses, Akhal-Teke horses have their own distinct character. Unlike the phlegmatic and completely submissive half-breeds, these horses require a deeper approach. The Turkmen horse should be treated as a partner, not as an insensitive tool. Because of this, it is believed that the character of the Akhal-Teke horse is not the easiest.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the special floating gait of horses of this breed. Since the Akhal-Teke people come from the region of deserts and semi-deserts, they have mastered such a step, which helps them to overcome sandy embankments more easily.
Compared to most European breeds, Akhal-Teke horses look more refined and even fragile, but behind this external grace lies great strength and endurance. In modern history, the Ashgabat-Moscow run, which took place in 1935, is especially famous. About 3.5 thousand kilometers separating the two cities, riders on Akhal-Teke horses overcame in just 84 days. At the same time, all horses tolerated the transition normally and were healthy.
One glance at the photo of Akhal-Teke horses is enough to distinguish them from European breeds. This is a tall (160-170 cm) horse with a chiseled figure. In its forms, it is similar to a greyhound or a lean cheetah.
With a fairly proportional body, a long, graceful neck and beautiful long legs. The coat is short, and the mane is so “thin” that it is often not even cut.
The colors of the horses of the Akhal-Teke breed are quite diverse, all the main types are represented. At the same time, for all Akhal-Teke horses, regardless of color, a noticeable silver or golden tint of wool is characteristic.
Use of Akhal-Teke horses
This breed is not very popular outside the post-Soviet space. The global livestock numbers only about 6.6 thousand individuals, which is actually quite small. Most Akhal-Teke horses are in Turkmenistan itself (about 3 thousand), Russia (1.6 thousand), Western Europe (1.3 thousand in general) and the USA (about 500 individuals). Most modern Akhal-Teke horses are descendants of the famous Boinou horse, who lived in the second half of the 19th century.
Despite some moral obsolescence, the Akhal-Teke horse still has great potential as a riding breed. "Turkmen" are quite actively used in equestrian sports. Since the times of the USSR, there have been full-fledged races on Akhal-Teke horses, which take place according to the classical rules with all the prizes.
The main prizes, which are played with their participation, are held at the second most important hippodrome in Russia - in Pyatigorsk. Also, Akhal-Teke races are held in Krasnodar, Tashkent and, of course, in Ashgabat. Periodically, these horses can be seen in the Russian capital.
But videos of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses are filmed not only during their competitions with each other, but also in competitions with the participation of other famous breeds. The pinnacle of success is the victory of the Akhal-Teke stallion in dressage during the Roman Olympics of the 60th year. The Akhal-Teke was and remains the only champion in this discipline in the history of the Olympic Games who did not belong to the German breeds.
Is a business on breeding Akhal-Teke horses possible?
So, we have told almost everything about the Akhal-Teke horses, now let's move on to the main thing - the prospects for commercial breeding in Russia.
Since the Akhal-Teke breed of horses is to a certain extent native to our country, the cost of breeding young animals is significantly lower than the prices for European or American breeds. However, do not forget that we are talking about a thoroughbred racehorse, which means that, by definition, it is valued more than an ordinary outbred horse.
Taking into account the features, purpose and cost of Akhal-Teke horses, there are two options for how you can make money on their breeding and growing.
First, these animals are still in demand in sports disciplines, so if you have a dense network of connections with wealthy people who are passionate about this topic, you can sell trained stallions to those who wish to take part in equestrian sports. There is no need to talk about how specific and small the market is. To make money on it, you need to make much more effort than in any other type of business.
Secondly, Akhal-Teke horses are generally suitable for use for tourism purposes. And although there is a persistent myth about the nature of this breed, that the temperament of Turkmen horses is bad and capricious, in fact, this problem is greatly exaggerated. Especially if you make a meaningful selection of Akhal-Teke horses and generally treat them kindly.
On this, the possibilities for commercial breeding of Akhal-Teke horses as a whole are exhausted. Raising these noble horses for meat and milk would be a real sacrilege. And not only because it is a noble riding breed, but also because there are more productive meat breeds, to which the Akhal-Teke horses are much inferior in this matter.
But if we discard commercialism and consider horses exclusively as companion animals, then Akhal-Teke horses are very good in this regard. Horses of this breed are very attached to their owners and pay obedience for a kind attitude towards themselves. Do you want to get a couple of horses to indulge in horseback riding in nature on weekends? Akhal-Teke horses are perfect for these purposes. Or, for example, give your wife a creamy Akhal-Teke horse - this is a truly luxurious and completely unusual gift that she will appreciate.
When creating a stable, you need to follow the standard rules that are the same for all thoroughbred horses, which means they are also valid for Akhal-Teke horses.
It is better to place a stable outside the city, or, in extreme cases, on the outskirts away from large avenues and densely populated housing estates. The reasons are obvious and do not require explanation.
The stable itself should be clean, light and moderately warm. Although Akhal-Teke horses are able to endure up to 30 degrees of frost, do not forget about the origin of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses. These animals come from a region with a hot desert climate, and therefore the constant stay of horses in the cold will not lead to anything good. In addition to food and water, horses require at least a minimum personal space - at least 4 square meters. meters.
For the normal maintenance and breeding of horses, you will also need other outbuildings:
- hay barn,
- barn for other feed;
- storage room for storing harness, tools, etc.;
- walking area.
Unless you plan on doing horse maintenance yourself, you will also need to hire some staff. The hiring of a veterinarian and a trainer should be especially carefully considered, since the health of the horse and its ability to perform its tasks depend on these specialists.
