www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 21 Page 20 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]The Akhal Teke History and origin of the Akhal-Teke Horse The Akhal-Teke (pronounced ahal teekee) is an ancient breed that originated from the area now known as Turkmenistan, and is thought to be one of the oldest surviving horse breeds. The ancestors of the breed may date back to animals living 3,000 years ago, known by a number of names, but most often as the Nisean horse. The precise ancestry is difficult to trace, however, because prior to about 1600 AD, horse breeds in the modern sense did not exist; rather, horses were identified by local strain or type. According to one theory of origin, the Akhal-Teke were kept hidden by tribesmen in the area where the breed first appeared, the Turkmenistan desert Kara Kum, which is a rocky, flat desert surrounded by Kopet Dag mountains, on the border of Iran and the former Soviet Union. The Akhal-Teke breed has not changed in conformation for many centuries. Throughout its entire history the Akhal-Teke has been carefully bred pure. Traditionally, these horses were tethered in small herds or individually, near the homes of their owners. The controlled conditions in which the breed was kept, unlike the large free-ranging herds common to many other horse cultures, promoted selective breeding. Turkmen people accurately kept pedigrees through oral tradition, and selection was always strict and purposeful. Horses unlike other animals were given proper names not nicknames by the Turkmen people. Newborn foals were called sons and daughters, and later on grandsons and granddaughters assimilating them to people. In this way Turkmen people linked their fate inseparably with the horse’s fate. Prior to the Russian occupation of 1917, nearly every Turkmen family owned at least one or two horses, but in an effort to stifle all opposition, Russian policy separated Turkmen from their horses. The Russians considered the horses as a main tool of rebellion. Private ownership ended, and the horses were placed in state-owned stud farms. The breed further suffered when the Soviet Union required horses in Turkmenistan to be slaughtered for meat to feed the Russian people in the 1960s and 70s. Local Turkmen refused to eat them and some breeders released their beloved horses into the desert. At the beginning of 1970, there were only 200 breeding mares in Turkmenistan. Upon achieving independence in 1991, the government of Turkmenistan defined horse breeding as a nationalistic concern and an art form. The Akhal-Teke has been declared a national treasure and its image graces the state seal of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has banned their export. They may only leave the country as a gift to the head of another state. In 1973 the Soviet government gave the main control and all the work with breeding papers of Akhal-Tekes to the Institute of Horse Breeding in the Ryazan region, thus controlling all the Akhal-Teke horses in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. The Institute also started a stud book of part bred Akhal-Tekes, which showed themselves competent in sports. In 1990 the Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding of the Soviet Union was started, to be the overseer of Russian Akhal-Teke breeding; when the Soviet Union was finished, it became the Russian Association. In 1997 it was decided to create the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding (MAAK). The founders of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding are the Institute of Horse breeding in Russia; the Russian Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding, and the private farm Akhal-Yurt from Turkmenistan. There are currently about 5,000 Akhal-Tekes in the world, mostly in Turkmenistan and Russia, although they are also found throughout Europe, North America and a very few in Australia. The main studbooks are still managed in Russia but most countries have set up their own registries in order to register Pure and Part bred horses. e name Akhal-Teke is a modern name given to the hardy and agile desert horse from the area now known as Turkmenistan by a Russian general a little over 100 years ago. Before then, the horse had been known by many names: Nisean, Turanian, Bactrain, Median as well as nicknames such as ‘divine’ or ‘heavenly horse”, or ‘the golden horse’ because of the metallic sheen characteristic of its coat. The Akhal Teke dressage stallion ‘Absent’ was named ‘Horse of the Century’ after winning Olympic Gold at the 1960 Rome Games, two bronze at the 1964 Tokyo Games and a Silver at the Mexico Games of 1968. and its introduction to Australia Below: Throughout history there have been many talented Akhal Teke jumping horses. In this photo, the Akhal-Teke stallion Arslan and Kavum achieved the Uzbekistan 1.92 cm jumping record and BREED FEATURE Opposite page: ‘Pirli Asman’ is a charming buckskin colt with a beautiful gentle, inquisitive nature, and outstanding conformation. He is owned by Jessica Meares from Khan Tekes Australia, WA. Photo by Kerri Schoenauer by the Australian Akhal-Teke Association
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www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 21Page 20 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]
The Akhal TekeHistory and origin of the Akhal-Teke HorseThe Akhal-Teke (pronounced ahal teekee) is an ancient breed that originated from the area now known as Turkmenistan, and is thought to be one of the oldest surviving horse breeds.
The ancestors of the breed may date back to animals living 3,000 years ago, known by a number of names, but most often as the Nisean horse. The precise ancestry is difficult to trace, however, because prior to about 1600 AD, horse breeds in the modern sense did not exist; rather, horses were identified by local strain or type. According to one theory of origin, the Akhal-Teke were kept hidden by tribesmen in the area where the breed first appeared, the Turkmenistan desert Kara Kum, which is a rocky, flat desert surrounded by Kopet Dag mountains, on the border of Iran and the former Soviet Union.
The Akhal-Teke breed has not changed in conformation for many centuries. Throughout its entire history the Akhal-Teke has been carefully bred pure. Traditionally, these horses were tethered in small herds or individually, near the homes of their owners. The controlled conditions in which the breed was kept, unlike the large free-ranging herds common to many other horse cultures, promoted selective breeding. Turkmen people accurately kept pedigrees through oral tradition, and selection was always strict and purposeful. Horses unlike other animals were given proper names not nicknames by the Turkmen people. Newborn foals were called sons and daughters, and later on grandsons and granddaughters assimilating them to people. In this way Turkmen people linked their fate inseparably with the horse’s fate.
Prior to the Russian occupation of 1917, nearly every Turkmen family owned at least one or two horses, but in an effort to stifle all opposition, Russian policy separated Turkmen from their horses. The Russians considered the horses as a main tool of rebellion. Private ownership ended, and the horses were placed in state-owned stud farms. The breed further suffered when the Soviet Union required horses in Turkmenistan to be slaughtered for meat to feed the Russian people in the 1960s and 70s. Local Turkmen refused to eat them and some breeders released their beloved horses into the desert. At the beginning of 1970, there were only 200 breeding mares in Turkmenistan.
Upon achieving independence in 1991, the government of Turkmenistan defined horse breeding as a nationalistic concern and an art form. The Akhal-Teke has been declared a national treasure and its image graces the state seal of Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has banned their export. They may only leave the country as a gift to the head of another state.
In 1973 the Soviet government gave the main control and all the work with breeding papers of Akhal-Tekes to the Institute of Horse Breeding in the Ryazan region, thus controlling all the Akhal-Teke horses in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. The Institute also started a stud book of part bred Akhal-Tekes, which showed themselves competent in sports. In 1990 the Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding of the Soviet Union was started, to be the overseer of Russian Akhal-Teke breeding; when the Soviet Union was finished, it became the Russian Association. In 1997 it was decided to create the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding (MAAK). The founders of the International Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding are the Institute of Horse breeding in Russia; the Russian Association of Akhal-Teke Horse breeding, and the private farm Akhal-Yurt from Turkmenistan.
There are currently about 5,000 Akhal-Tekes in the world, mostly in Turkmenistan and Russia, although they are also found throughout Europe, North America and a very few in Australia. The main studbooks are still managed in Russia but most countries have set up their own registries in order to register Pure and Part bred horses.
The name Akhal-Teke is a modern name given to the hardy and agile desert horse from the area now known as Turkmenistan by a Russian general a little over 100 years ago.
Before then, the horse had been known by many names: Nisean, Turanian, Bactrain, Median as well as nicknames such as ‘divine’ or ‘heavenly horse”, or ‘the golden horse’ because of the metallic sheen characteristic of its coat.
The Akhal Teke dressage stallion ‘Absent’ was named ‘Horse of the Century’ after winning Olympic Gold at the 1960 Rome
Games, two bronze at the 1964 Tokyo Games and a Silver at the Mexico Games of 1968.
and its introduction
to Australia
Below: Throughout history there have been many talented Akhal Teke jumping horses. In this photo, the Akhal-Teke stallion Arslan
and Kavum achieved the Uzbekistan 1.92 cm jumping record
andBREED FEATURE
Opposite page: ‘Pirli Asman’ is a charming buckskin colt with a beautiful gentle, inquisitive nature, and outstanding conformation. He is owned by Jessica Meares from Khan Tekes Australia, WA. Photo by Kerri Schoenauer
by the Australian Akhal-Teke Association
www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 23Page 22 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]
Breed CharacteristicsThe name Akhal means “pure” and Teke is the name of the tribe that bred these horses since earliest recorded time, people that were wary and unsettled, just like their ancestors, the Scythians.
Horses with the ability to run long distances without fatigue were necessary, as the people lived by raiding other nomadic tribes. A tall, heavy horse could not survive where feed consisted of scant mouthfuls of dry grass or where water was scarce. The Akhal-Teke acquired its extraordinary physical powers and sensitive personality from these specialized conditions plus their lean physic without excess muscle.
The Akhal-Teke’s appearance is unique. The Akhal-Teke is a slim animal with a long and chiselled head, often with a broad brow. The eyes are large and expressive and sometimes hooded almond-shaped. The ears are narrow, high-set and readily swivel on their axis, alert to sound and movement. The long neck is set high and straight relative to the shoulders, the withers are quite prominent. The chest is narrow; the body is long and lean, the muscling well defined, but smoothly hugging the bone. The legs are slender, with strongly sculpted tendons and long and flexible pasterns.
The Akhal-Teke has unique soft gaits, most of them seeming to glide over the ground. This breed has been used for thousands of years in deserts and this is reflected in its gaits. Horses of other breeds have slightly longer pasterns in the front and shorter, straighter pasterns in the rear. The Akhal-Teke has long, slanted hind pasterns that give them loose and light, nimble and feline like strides.
The Akhal-Teke has a fine coat and thin skin. The hair is short, iridescent, and a distinctive feature is a pronounced metallic sheen, like a glossy golden polish overlaying the silky smooth basic coat. The mane and tail may be sparse. Several colours are possible, but the most common include, bay, black, buckskin, chestnut, grey and palomino.
The height varies by strain or bloodline from 14.2hh to 16hh.
Akhal-Tekes are legendary for their stamina. They display great reliability and speed. They are easy to train.
Their trot is silky smooth, and when ridden in long rides are extremely comfortable endurance mounts. Akhal-Tekes can be extremely courageous, exuberant and loyal. Some are quick to trust and others are slower, but when the feeling is reciprocated, they will strive to meet their riders aim with all of their power.
There are a few genetic diseases of concern to Akhal-Teke breeders.
Naked Foal Syndrome (NFS) or Hairless Foal Syndrome is most likely an autosomal, lethal recessive gene, though the exact inheritance pattern has not yet been verified. The defect causes foals to be born without any hair coat, mane or tail. In some cases, the front teeth are in at birth or molars grow abnormally from normal jaws. Other symptoms include persistent diarrhea, frequent digestive disorders, and laminitis-like, treatment-resistant rotation of the coffin bones in the hooves. NFS is always fatal, most foals die within weeks of birth, although some horses have survived up to the age of two years before being humanely euthanized because of severe laminitis-induced pain.
Hereditary cryptorchidism is found within some blood lines of the Akhal-Teke breed.
Influence of the breedThe Akhal-Teke has had influence on many breeds, possibly including the Thoroughbred. There is evidence to suggest the Akhal-Teke is one of the true ancestors of the Thoroughbred race horse. The Thoroughbred horse traces back to three foundation sires; the “Darley Arabian”, the “Goldolphin Arabian” and the “Byerley Turk”. Many Turkmenian horses (referred to as Turks) were imported
into Great Britain about the time of development of the English Thoroughbred. The foundation stallion Byerley Turk born 1679 was almost certainly an Akhal-Teke, please note his name Byerley Turk not
“Byerley Arabian” he was captured from the Ottomans who had Akhal-Tekes and there is a painting of the Byerley Turk with his groom. The horse in the painting is much taller than an Arabian, has a long neck, long back and long legs and the groom is dressed in a Turkish costume. So while putting those three observations together does not amount to proof. However, history as it is written in most books, must be questioned.
The Trakehner has also been influenced by the Akhal-Teke, most notably by the stallion “Turkmen-Atti”. Akhal-Teke horses were used in developing the Russian breeds Don, Budyonny, Karabair, Karabakh, the Orlov Riding Horse and the Orlov Trotter.
The most famous cross presently is with the Appaloosa. In 1995 the Nez Perce American Indian tribe began a breeding program whose goal is to breed back to their famous historically renowned horses, the Nez Perce horses, by mixing their Appaloosas with Akhal-Tekes. They imported four Akhal-Teke stallions and two mares.
In other countries where there are larger numbers of purebred Akhal-Tekes, they have been successfully crossed with other breeds. The most popular cross is with an Arabian horse. Breeders want to keep the sensitivity of the Arabian, plus the gaits from the Akhal-Teke to make a cross with offering a smooth ride. Crossing Akhal-Tekes with Warmbloods, to get more speed and agility, while maintaining bone, strength and a sound mind, is also popular.
Capacity for enduranceAkhal-Tekes are perhaps best known for their extraordinary aptitude for endurance riding. The breed’s typical Akhal-Tekes, including the stallion “Arab”, took part in a famous endurance ride from Ashkhabad to Moscow in 1935, a distance of over 4330 kilometres (2,600 miles) including 300 miles of desert. Though crossing the Kara Kum desert in 3 days without water was stressful, it was familiar terrain. They rode through mosquito infested swamps, over rugged, stony footing, through heavy rain and huge forests. Eighty four days later they arrived in Moscow.
Akhal-Tekes have fast heart rate recoveries, incredible stamina and are as smooth and agile as cats.
As the stallion ‘Sagib’ shows, the Akhal-Teke’s appearance and lean physique is unique, as is the characteristic metallic sheen of its coat.
The current revival of the Akhal Teke in Turkmenistan primarily focuses on speed and prestige at the racetrack. Akhal Tekes in Russia are popular racehorses as well as show and performance horses.
The Turkmenistan Seal bears an image of the Akhal-Teke, a national treasure. Turkmenistan lies on the border of Iran and the former Soviet Union
The Akhal-Teke owes its extraordinary physical powers, sensitive personality, plus a lean physique without excess muscle, to centuries of selection by wary and unsettled nomadic people who survived in harsh desert conditions.
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www.horsesandpeople.com.au • HORSES and PEOPLE • Page 25Page 24 • HORSES and PEOPLE • Phone: 07 5467 9796 • [email protected]
Although not purpose-bred for dressage, a number of Akhal-Tekes, such as the British owned ‘Kambarbay’ who features on the front cover and in the photos on right - demonstrate the natural gaits and strength required for the Olympic disciplines, being forward and athletic. They are unusually intelligent, graceful, and elegant like ballerinas, exhibiting a cat’s elasticity and an astonishing plasticity of movements.
They are very tractable and equipped to deal with the mental demands of dressage. Physically, they are extremely prepared to move. The most famous representative of the Akhal-Teke breed was “Absent” a striking black stallion that competed in dressage in consecutive Olympic Games for the Soviet Union. He won a gold medal in dressage at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and two bronze ones in Tokyo in 1964 (individual and team) and four years later in Mexico City another silver medal (team) with another rider and was named
“Horse of the Century”
Throughout history there have been many talented Akhal-Teke jumping horses. In the 1950’s in Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan the Akhal-Teke stallions “Arab” jumped over a 2 m 12 cm fence, “Poligon” jumped 2 m 25 cm, and “Perepel”, did a broad jump of 8 m 78 cm (The official longest record of the F.E.L is 8 m 26 cm). In 2000
after the competition in jumping at the World Cup of the Central Asian Region the F.E.I. awarded first place to an Akhal-Teke stallion “Arslan”, who has the record of the highest jump in Uzbekistan (1 m 92 cm).
“Buccephalus”, the famed favorite horse of Alexander the Great was of Greek horse stock crossed with Scythian and Nisean horses. Alexander the Great married Roxane a daughter of a minor noble and so gained access to Nisean horses. He took 4000 of the horses for his cavalry on his campaign to the east.
The Russian Tsars loved Akhal-Teke horses. In 1698, Peter the Great was travelling back from a grand embassy of Europe when he saw the prettiest little filly he’d ever seen. She was small and slim, with glossy chestnut hair and long eyelashes. He gave the Persian merchants 100 gold ducats and an excellent saddle-horse, valuing in her many generations of fighting qualities. He named her “Lissette” and she is believed to have been an Akhal-Teke. He saved her to use on the battlefield, including the Poltava, where “Lissette” compensated her cost by saving him from certain death.
In 1956 Nikita Krushchev presented the Akhal-Teke Stallion “Melekush” to Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Akhal-Tekes demonstrate an aptitude for the rigorous sport of eventing where a true partnership is required. They display the speed, stamina and surefootedness needed to negotiate the triple challenge of dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping.
The current revival of the Akhal-Teke in Turkmenistan primarily focuses on speed and prestige at the racetrack. Akhal-Tekes in Russia are popular race horses as well as show and performance horses. In Europe and the USA Akhal-Tekes can be seen in every discipline that requires athleticism and a good mind, from show jumping to polo or driving. They also enjoy non competitive activities or exhibitions.
The small numbers of Akhal-Tekes in Australia are performing in Endurance, being shown at Halter and at Expos as well as looking forward to a future in Eventing.
The Akhal-Teke Horse in AustraliaThere are at present only two active Akhal-Teke studs in Australia.
Thorleif (Tom) and Dawn Thomsen manage Australian Tekes in Brisbane, Queensland.
In 2003 Tom and Dawn imported the palomino purebred Akhal-Teke mare
“Gel Beri”. “Gel Beri” was born in Russia and was first exported to Sweden. Her line of Akhal-Tekes are used as racehorses in Turkmenistan and her sire
“Yakir”, was a gift to the president of Turkmenistan for his personal horse.
“Gel-Beri” was bred to the Russian purebred Akhal-Teke stallion “Almaz” and in April 2004 the first Akhal-Teke foal was born in Australia, a stunning buckskin filly “Gelmay”.
Tom and Dawn have the only Akhal-Teke stallion presently available at public stud in Australia. The bay “JBK Mukam” is of
“Ak Sakal” line, sired by “Mamuk” from “Galina” and was imported from the USA.
“Mukam” is very Akhal-Teke both by his confirmation and temperament. He is 15.3 hh and a stunning metallic golden bay.
“Mukam” has made a positive start with his endurance career and has successfully completed several training rides and is at present in training for further endurance rides this season.
“Mukam” also attended the Lockyer Horse Expo held at Gatton in 2012. He was a very popular exhibit as most people had never seen a purebred Akhal-Teke.
Tom and Dawn have bred the only purebred Akhal-Tekes conceived and foaled in Australia.
Jessica Meares is manager of Khan Tekes Australia in Boddington, Western Australia. In 2012 she imported the young colt “Pirli Asman” who is Kaplan line, by Prianik and out of Gosulja VK, from Germany. “Pirli” is a charming buckskin colt with a beautiful gentle, inquisitive nature, superbly sharp intellect and outstanding conformation. He was bred specifically for performance, having sport performance bloodlines on both sides of his pedigree. He has character and type and he is expected to grow to 16hh.
Jessica has been having fun working with her colt and taking him to shows. “Pirli” is only in very light work. “He feels like home! A dream.”
Jessica is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the purebred filly “Katerina” who is Sovhoz-2 line by Eramay and out of Katrin, due in Australia mid 2013. “Katerina” is also golden buckskin purchased from Akhal Texas, USA. Although Khan Tekes is a new stud, Jessica aims to breed top quality performance Akhal-Teke horses with superior type, temperament and athleticism and also to promote the Akhal-Teke breed to the Australian public.
A passion for the breedThis breed is not for everyone but once “hooked”, you will find it hard to give them up. In Australia we are trying to continue to educate the general public about the Akhal-Teke. To thrive rather than just survive, The Akhal-Teke is not a “weekend horse” but a highly intelligent, sensitive horse who demands a high level of knowledge and commitment from its carer. Those who can show this commitment will have a horse that is loyal, responsive, reliable and willing.
Further information on this wonderful breed can be found at
http://australiantekes.com/index.html. You can also contact:
Kambarbay, an Akhal-Teke stallion imported to Scotland has been selected specifically for his sport horse type, conformation, movement and jump. His colouring guarantees a dilute gene as shown by the foal, one of Kambarbay’s recent progeny.
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“ “Mukam” (above) is the only purebred stallion available at public stud in Australia, is of typical Akhal Teke type on both, his confirmation and temperament. He is 15.3 hh and a stunning metallic golden bay.
