The Akhal-Teke horse (from the Turkmen Ahal-teke aty) is one of the oldest purebred riding breeds, bred about 5000 years ago. These graceful and hardy animals are called golden horses, heavenly argamaks, Akhal-Teke or simply Teke.
Akhal-Teke people owe their appearance to the inhabitants of Ancient Turkmenistan, who decided to create the strongest and most beautiful horse breed in the world. And they did it perfectly.
The name of the breed consists of two terms: "Akhal" - an oasis at the foot of the Kopet-Dag mountain range in Turkmenistan, and "Tekins" - the indigenous inhabitants of this area, who are considered the founders of the breed. In Tajik, heavenly horses are called Ahal-teke ("Akhal-teke") or the horse of the Teke tribe from the town of Akhal.
The inhabitants of Ancient Turkmenistan treated golden horses like family members: they fed them from their hands, decorated them with precious stones, took them home in bad weather, and played like with children. The sultry climate of Central Asia left its mark on the breed and made the horses lean and hardy.
Akhal-Teke horses were faithful companions of Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, Peter I, Darius the Great and some other world famous commanders.
In Turkmenistan, Akhal-Teke horses are a national treasure. Their image can be seen on the national flag and banknotes of the country.
Akhal-Teke horse - a national treasure of Turkmenistan
In the USSR, Akhal-Teke horses were bred in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Russia. Nowadays, specialized plants in the Moscow region, Stavropol, the Republic of Kalmykia and the Republic of Dagestan are engaged in their breeding.
Video - History of the Akhal-Teke horse breed
General characteristics of the breed
Celestial argamaks cannot be confused with horses of other breeds. These graceful animals conquer at first sight and settle in the heart forever.
Exterior
The Akhal-Teke people are characterized by long thin legs, a lean body without subcutaneous fat and excess muscle mass, an oriental cut of the eyes, an ideal shape of ears, a flexible neck, thin skin and silky, delicate hair that shimmers in the sun like silk.
A brief description of the exterior of the horses of the golden heavenly horses is presented in the following table.
| Indicators | Indicator values |
|---|---|
| Weight, kg | 400-470 |
| Height at withers, m | 1,55-1,60 |
| Chest circumference, m | 1,75-1,90 |
| Oblique body length, m | 1,60-1,65 |
| Pastern girth, cm | 19-20 |
| Body type | Lean, no fat |
| Head | Elongated, narrow face |
| Nape | Well developed |
| Eyes | Quite large, expressive |
| Nostrils | Oblong, teardrop-shaped, large |
| Ears | Pointed, set wide |
| Neck | Elongated, straight, graceful |
| Back | Stretched |
| Rib cage | Oval, shallow |
| Legs | Long, slender. The joints are well developed |
| Croup | Elongated, wide, slightly sloping |
| Hooves | Neat, solid |
| Tail | Not thick, low set |
| Mane | Not thick, in some individuals it is absent |
| Leather | Thin, with vascular mesh |
| Wool | Delicate, shiny, silky |
Graceful argamaks differ from the more massive and muscular horses of other breeds. Many experts compare them to lean Doberman Pinschers, greyhounds or cheetahs.
Basic suits
Akhal-Teke residents delight with a variety of colors, among them there are red, piebald, black, sand, yellow, chocolate brown, cognac red and even pinkish milk with a pearlescent hue. A description of the most popular suits of argamaks is presented in the following table.
| Photo | Suit name | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Bay | The body is chocolate brown. On the legs are black "stockings". The mane and tail are black |
 | Bulanaya | Body from golden brown to yellowish. The mane and tail are black |
 | Black | The coat is black, shining in the sun, like satin. The mane and tail are black |
 | Redhead | The coat is cognac red. Color intensity is different |
 | Gray | The horse is gray, it can be either pale gray, almost white, or dark gray. Black stockings on her legs. The mane and tail are also black |
 | Nightingale | The horse is yellowish brown. The hairs of the tail and mane are lighter. There are light-colored stockings on the legs |
 | Isabella | The coat is pink-milky, with a yellowish pearlescent tint. The mane and tail are sandy or yellow |
Among the Akhal-Teke, representatives of the bay color predominate (40%). Further in decreasing order are the horses of the bulan (20%), black (12%), red (11%), gray (8%), salty (5%) and isabella (2.5%) colors.
Isabella suit
The rarest, and therefore the most expensive, Akhal-Teke are individuals of the Isabella suit with pink skin and light green or sky blue eyes. The wool of Isabella Akhal-Teke horses burns in the sun, like living gold. In bright daylight, it takes on a silvery hue, in dim light it becomes milky.
It is rather difficult to explain the reason for the appearance of horses of an amazing isabella color. Scientists hypothesize that this color is the result of the combination of a pair of genes responsible for the formation of a light color in horses and suppressing the effect of darker pigments.
Very light color of skin, eyes and coat is an indirect sign of albinism. For this reason, Isabella Akhal-Teke are more likely to suffer from eye and skin diseases, and also adapt worse to life in the desert area.
The wool of newborn foals of the Isabella suit has a light pinkish tint. As the young grow up, it becomes creamy-shiny, plays in the sun and shimmers with silvery, yellowish or even pale pink highlights. Over the years, the coat darkens a little, but remains shiny.
Isabella Akhal-Teke horses are very rare, and therefore highly valued at international industry auctions. The price of the best representatives of this suit reaches several million US dollars.
Video - Cream Akhal-Teke Horse
Character and temperament
Argamaks have the usual equine character. But among them more often than among representatives of other breeds, there are active, excitable individuals with a hot southern temperament. But even such horses never show excessive aggression.
Tekintsy are attached to their master and can hardly bear separation from him. Some animals are "monogamous" and do not allow strangers to approach them. Therefore, it will not be easy for a new horse owner to win his favor.
Argamaki is not one of those horses that will obey commands unquestioningly under the influence of brute force. Patience, sincerity and subtle calculation will help tame these proud animals. If the owner manages to make friends with the horse, then she will be ready for anything for him. If contact fails, the horse will do whatever it wants.
Applications
Akhal-Teke athletes successfully participate in races on flat terrain (smooth races) and distance runs, a little less often they are used in dressage and show jumping.
Argamaks are wonderful horses. Due to their endurance, horses can easily cope with sprint races and often come to the finish line first. Their springy movements are not tiring for riders.
In terms of speed indicators, Akhal-Teke horses are inferior to English riding horses. In Turkmenistan, special competitions are held for argamaks, in which horses of other breeds are not allowed to participate.
Akhal-Teke horses have no equal in dressage. Trained horses of this breed, performing commands, seem graceful and fabulously beautiful. But behind unconditional obedience lies years of hard training.
In show jumping, the record for this breed is 2 m 12 cm, while the world record was recorded at 2 m 47 cm.
One of the features of the breed is late maturation: horses reach their peak of physical activity by 4-6 years. This significantly increases the cost of their maintenance and reduces the potential for use in equestrian sports.
Akhal-Teke stallions are perfectly adapted for circus training and horse riding.
Akhal-Teke care
Taking care of horses of the Akhal-Teke breed involves daily feeding, bathing, cleaning, regular examination of teeth and hooves, as well as ensuring the necessary physical activity.
Feeding
The following types of feed should be included in the diet of Akhal-Teke residents:
- green food (fresh grass);
- roughage (hay, straw, chaff of spring crops);
- juicy food (potatoes, beets, carrots);
- concentrated feed (rye, barley, oats, wheat, corn);
- silage (corn and sunflower).
The relationship between forage and concentrate for different horse physical activities can be determined from the following table.
| Specific weight of forage,% | Specific weight of concentrates,% | |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of work, play, occupation on the ground | 80-100 | 20-0 |
| Slow riding, light work up to 15 minutes | 70 | 30 |
| Harness riding, light show jumping, dressage | 60 | 40 |
| Medium work | 50 | 50 |
| Hard work (triathlon) | 40 | 60 |
| Work for speed (running, racing) | 30 | 70 |
Akhal-Teke horses should be fed regularly. In this case, by the time of feeding, the animals will produce food juices, and the feed will be absorbed more easily and faster. Irregular feeding can cause gastrointestinal problems in a horse.
Akhal-Teke residents need fresh water. A horse drinks 35-45 liters of water per day, and in the hot season - 60-70 liters. A perspiring and tired horse should not be given cold water.
During feeding, you first need to feed the animals with hay, then give green or juicy food. It is recommended to give vitamins only if necessary. It is better to divide roughage into four parts: feed two parts to the Akhal-Teke at night, the third and fourth - in the morning and in the afternoon.
The feeders must be clean and the feed is of good quality.
The horse should not be recruited 30 minutes before feeding and within 30 minutes after eating.
Bathing
In the warm season, Akhal-Teke horses should be regularly bathed in a small pond or pool with a water temperature of 20 ° C and above. The bottom of the reservoir should not be silted, viscous or uneven. The frequency of water procedures is once every couple of days. The duration of the bath is a quarter of an hour. This time will be enough for the animal to cheer up and regain strength.
Excess water is scraped off the animal's body with the side of the palm or with a rounded scraper. Then the Tekinets are led at a slow pace until the wool is completely dry.
Swimming in a pond can be replaced by dousing the horse with a hose or bucket. The main thing is that the animal is not afraid of the water that suddenly fell on its body.
Cleaning
The wool of the Akhal-Teke should be cleaned daily. Prepare the following tools for cleaning:
- three brushes (hard, soft and long bristle);
- comfortable comb;
- two sponges;
- velvet mitten or cloth;
- rags for washing hooves;
- hook for cleaning hooves.
The horse is cleaned as follows: first the head from left to right, then the shoulders, withers, back and legs. The wool is brushed with a hard bristle brush, and the areas where the bones come close to the surface of the skin are brushed with a soft brush. Then comb the tail and mane with a comfortable comb.
Next, the hooves are cleaned with a special hook. Outside, the hooves are wiped with a damp cloth. Two sponges are moistened in warm water: one is used to wipe the nostrils and the area around the eyes, the other is the skin under the tail. In conclusion, the wool is rubbed with a damp cloth or velvet mitten.
If your horse's tail looks shaggy and bulges, try wrapping it in a bandage for a few hours. This will help to give the tail a neat, concise shape.
Dental care
Every 6-12 months it is necessary to check the condition of the teeth of your argamak. The older the horse gets, the more often dental checkups should be done.
The structure of the teeth of the Akhal-Teke horses is no different from the structure of the teeth of other horses (see table).
Examination should identify sharp-edged incisors, canines, or molars that rub and injure the horse's delicate gums and cheeks. Such edges must be cut with a regular file.
During a dental examination, you can use a special device - a mouth dilator, and use an anesthetic drug to relieve pain. This will allow for quick and hassle-free inspection.
It is possible to determine that the Akhal-Teke horse has a toothache by the following signs:
- sloppiness in food;
- eating too slowly or completely refusing to eat;
- the horse often shakes its head;
- the horse bites and chews the bit;
- the horse's back is in constant tension;
- the animal rears up or shows other signs of anxiety.
If you are unable to cope with the dental examination of your pet on your own, seek help from your veterinarian dentist.
Breeding
Akhal-Teke residents enter puberty at the age of two. But they begin to breed this breed much later. The period when the mare is ready to admit the stallion is called "hunting". During this period, it is artificially inseminated.
In order to maintain the purity of the breed, a suitable stallion is selected in advance for the mare. In this case, the suit of future parents is taken into account.
Pregnancy lasts 11 months. Most often, one foal is born, less often twins are born. Newborn babies seem clumsy and helpless, but after 5 hours they can move around without assistance.
For the first six months, the mare feeds the babies with breast milk. After that, the young are transferred to plant food.
All newborn purebred foals are subject to a single breeding record. Accounting is carried out by the All-Russian Research Institute of Horse Breeding, located in the village of Divovo, Rybnovsky District, Ryazan Region.
After drawing up the appropriate zootechnical record, all measures for raising thoroughbred foals, from feeding to raising, are carried out under the vigilant supervision of specialists.
All purebred Akhal-Teke horses in Russia are provided with qualified veterinary services. It does not matter which livestock the animal belongs to, public or private.
Until the middle of the twentieth century, Akhal-Teke horses were bred exclusively in Turkmenistan. Currently, argamak breeding centers are concentrated on the Lugovsk stud farm in Kazakhstan, the Stavropol stud farm in Russia, the Dagestan stud farm in the Republic of Dagestan and the Akhaltekinets farm in Dubna near Moscow. In terms of the number of Akhal-Teke livestock, Turkmenistan occupies an honorable first place in the world, followed by the Russian Federation.
- Horses of this breed can go without water for a long time and cover a distance of up to 250 km per day. This is a kind of endurance record for equid-hoofed animals.
- The graceful appearance of the breed hides incredible strength and endurance. There are cases when an Akhal-Teke, wounded in a battle with a saber, carried away two adult men from pursuit across the quicksands of the desert.
- The ex-head of the USSR Nikita Khrushchev presented the English queen with the Akhal-Teke stallion Melekush of the Isabella suit. The golden skin of the horse shocked the royal grooms so much that they thought they had painted the horse with paint. But all attempts to wash the animal with shampoo were in vain.
- Akhal-Teke is depicted on the coat of arms, currency and postage stamps of Turkmenistan. In Ashgabat and some other cities of this state, there are monuments dedicated to the Akhal-Teke people.
- The Akhal-Teke mare named Lisette was the favorite of the Russian emperor Peter I. The horse shared with the emperor all the hardships and hardships of the Northern War, including the Battle of Poltava.
- The loudest sports races are associated with horses of this breed. In 1935, riders on Akhal-Teke horses covered the distance from Ashgabat to Moscow in 12 weeks. The participants of the run overcame the Karakum desert in three days, without stopping for food or sleep. The horses in full force reached Moscow.
- At international auctions, Akhal-Teke horses are valued as highly as high-class Arabian horses. Argamaks are deservedly popular with connoisseurs of the breed and are kept in elite stables.
When nature created
In some inspired moment
Snakes, cheetah and eagle
Single alloy -
Then there was
Tekinets, you!
Whose gaze is deep
As if he remembers Mithridates.
Whose neck is a quivering stream
Living silver and gold.
Whose step is even, slightly ringing
Stones of ancient decoration ...
My kingdom for a horse! ...
But where are those worthy of the kingdom? "
(Irina Khienkina, hereditary veterinarian and hippologist)
The homeland of the Akhal-Teke is the Akhal-Teke oasis (the territory of modern Turkmenistan) located on the northern slopes of the Kopet Dag. But they are actively bred in Dagestan and Kazakhstan. Purebred breeding for thousands of years in a sultry climate under specific growing conditions gave the Akhal-Teke horse a peculiar exterior, ardent temperament and light movements.
Turkmens often give nicknames to their Akhal-Teke horses containing the name of the suit. For example: - black bird, Melekush - dun bird, Dorsekil - chestnut with a blaze, Kirsakar - gray with a bald head.
The mane and bangs are poorly developed, there are almost no brushes. Along with narrow-bodied horses, there are wide-bodied horses with increased working capacity. At short distances, they are inferior in agility only to thoroughbred riding horses. They have great stamina. The breed was used for breeding Arabian, thoroughbred horse, Karabakh, Don, Trakehner breeds and others.
The oldest of the existing rocks on earth. Bred in the hot desert climate of Turkmenistan about 3000 years ago by folk selection for at least two millennia.
Their direct ancestors are the famous Central Asian horses, including the Non-Sean. The history of the Akhal-Teke takes us to almost mythical times. As the Arab poet said, "The West was still in the ice, while 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-legged and slender horses.
The Hittites, Assyrians, and Egyptians reached a very high level of education and training of a war horse: this is evidenced by the "Records of the Mittanian Kikkuli" dating from about the XIV century BC. NS. Growing up in the extreme conditions of the desert, Akhal-Teke horses have become tough, lean horses with tremendous endurance and agility.
(1).jpg)
At the beginning of the 20th century, Teke horses born in Akhal were called akhal-teke, and in the Tejen oasis - tejen-teke. Tekintsy kept horses 1-2 by the yurt or in the yard. The foal grew up surrounded by love and attention as a member of the family. Therefore, Akhal-Teke horses are distinguished by such loyalty to the owner and sometimes intolerance towards strangers, and they react so seriously to the frequent change of riders. The Turkmen raised not just a horse for himself, he raised a friend who would never fail in a battle, in a race, or in a long journey through the desert. After all, such a very often the life of a warrior depended on a horse.
The Turkmen did not spare semiprecious stones and silver for decorating horses.
The Turkmen horse dress is just an echo of the legendary past: at present, collars and props are just decoration, but earlier they protected the chest and neck of a horse during a battle.
But carnelian and silver were used only for the holiday, while aladzha, a variegated cord made of camel hair, was always present on the neck of the Akhal-Teke, as a kind of talisman. An amulet with some saying from the Koran could also be tied to it.
The breed is documented only since 1885, the moment of the birth of Boynow, the great-grandson of Kutla Sakar, the grandson of Karamchi, the son of Lalening Chepi, this is how many generations were kept in the memory of the Turkmen who did not have a written language.
Akhal-Teke residents have a wonderful affection for the owner, which has been developed for centuries. These horses have never been kept in the herd. And they were next to the dwelling under a canopy. These are truly loyal horses, loyal to their own and distrustful of strangers. They were also taught this from antiquity, for example, they put a horse in a hole and everyone passing by threw stones and sand at it, and only the owner fed and caressed him. The Akhal-Teke horse is a horse of one owner, a quality that is not so common in today's horses, which one person is engaged in, another rides, and often a third one owns. Therefore, what was the dignity of a war horse is becoming a disadvantage in the modern stable.
In the character of modern horses, unquestioning obedience is welcomed, while the argamak is able to make decisions for himself, thinking for the rider. In ancient times, this could save the lives of both - after all, a horse has a much finer hearing and sense of smell than a person, and sometimes it foresees natural disasters, for example, earthquakes. They say that before the Ashgabat earthquake, the horses at the hippodrome were very worried.
The abilities of the Akhal-Teke people are very multifaceted: due to their unique qualities, they can find themselves the most diverse applications. Despite their exoticism, they have proven to be excellent horses for classic equestrian sports.
Turkmen horses were imported to many countries, especially since the 17th century. They played a role in the breeding of the Arabian, thoroughbred horse, and a number of other breeds. Currently, the breed is not numerous. There are only about two thousand purebred Akhal-Teke on the planet, but apart from Turkmenistan they are common in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine in Germany, England, France, Sweden, USA, Canada.
Olympic champion Absinthe
Horses of this breed are capable of performing in any kind of equestrian sport (in dressage Sergey Filatov won the first Olympic medal in Rome, 1960), in high-speed and long-distance runs (twice on horses of this breed, the Ashgabat-Moscow run was completed, in 1935 and 1988 rr), in the circus. The range of colors in this breed is very diverse: in addition to bay, black, red and gray, brown, salty and even isabella are very common; often the suit is accompanied by a golden or silvery sheen.
Parade to the 65th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Height at withers 154 - 170 cm, oblique length - 159.5 - 162.2 cm, chest girth - 167-18.6 cm, cannon girth - 19 cm.
Suits:
The color is bay and red, gray, black, dun, of all sorts of shades, a nightingale, the rarest isabella, which casts mother-of-pearl in the sun. Even the usual suit on the Akhal-Teke is often transformed, acquiring a bright golden hue, which has been characteristic of the ancestors of this breed since ancient times. When crossed with other breeds, the Akhal-Teke breed reproduces a golden hue and beautiful colors.
Exterior:
The exterior of the Akhal-Teke is original and unforgettable. Very graceful head with wide nostrils, long, excellently shaped ears. The forehead is often slightly convex and narrows slightly towards the ears, so that the distance between the ears seems large enough; the supraocular cavities are clearly visible. The eyes of the Akhal-Teke are very special: they are large, expressive, they are deeply set, and the protruding superciliary arches give them a characteristic elongated shape. The nape is long, the neck is thin, the exit is high. The ribcage is small, the back is often soft, the loin is sometimes sunken, the croup is muscular. Legs dry, strong, small hard hooves. The tail and mane are thin and sparse; it happens that the mane and bangs are almost completely absent. The main negative features of the Akhal-Teke horse's exterior are insufficient development of the chest both in width and depth, excessive high legs and elongation with a soft back, and, finally, relative bone poverty.
The temperament is ardent, excitable, movements are light, flying, hence the name "Heavenly argamak"
Horses of this breed appeared in Russia in the 15th century (then they were called argamaks), but they became widespread only after the Civil War. The head of the Akhal-Teke is very dry, of medium size. The profile of the head is different: both hump-nosed and straight, occasionally concave, but most often horses of this breed have a convex forehead (semi-humped profile). The ears are of medium size, beautifully carved and very mobile, the eyes are large and expressive. The nostrils of the Akhal-Teke horse are wide, the distance between the ganaches is large, the neck is often thin, long, straight, set high. These horses carry their heads at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the horizon.
One of the most ancient breeds is the Akhal-Teke horse. These are graceful, stately, purebred animals. They are known as Argamaks, Tekins or Akhal-Teke. In Asia, this is the most famous breed. The animals received such fame thanks to their stunning appearance, spectacular and stately, wayward character. They are amazingly hardy and tenacious. The breed itself is not often found, but even among these horses there are the most real rare specimens: we are talking about the isabella suit.
The origin of the horses
The Akhal-Teke horse breed appeared in the region of ancient Turkmenistan more than 5 thousand years ago. It got its name due to the combination of 2 words - "Akhal" (the area near the Turkmen Kopetdag ridge) and "Tekinets" (the founder of the breed, a resident of this mountainous area).
The ancient Turkmens treated golden horses with special trepidation, considered them members of the family. They ate from their hands, they were decorated with precious stones. The hot Central Asian climate made these horses hardy and resilient. There is evidence that people asked the guests who came to them to treat animals badly, so that, in contrast, they would even more understand how much they are loved and appreciated.
Caring was an integral part of breeding foals, and all because the success in fights and campaigns, battles and wars depended on the extent to which the horse was obedient, playful and well-mannered. The area in which they were formed, in an oasis surrounded by mountains and sands, made the breed original, unique, without admixtures of extraneous blood.
Several features of the cultivation of the Akhal-Teke horse breed at the beginning of its formation:
- kept them in the yard;
- one family did not have more than a couple of horses;
- they began to train when they were already grown up;
- because of the changeable desert climate, horses were covered with felt blankets so that they would not get sick;
- since the water in such an area was tight, they cleaned them in hot sandy baths;
- fed them in small portions, used feed with a high energy value.
The peculiarity and uniqueness of the breed was recognized by the great commanders. Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and Darius the Great went on campaigns on them.
One of the most unusual suits is mentioned in many myths and legends. There is one well-known legend explaining its appearance. According to this story, during one of the wars, Queen Isabella, who ruled in the 17th century, made a promise to King Albrecht of Austria that until he took one of the Belgian ports by storm, she would not take off her nightgown.
The king threw a lot of effort into the conquest of this city, but the inhabitants resisted. And only after 3 years the siege fell. According to the myth, Isabella turned out to be a man of her word, but over such a long time, the color of the shirt changed a lot, faded and became a yellowish tint.
Horses of this color were especially popular in Spain during this period. When the country found out about the act of its queen, these horses were named Isabella. They are often called "Isabella's shirts".
The myth has no documentary evidence and may be nothing more than just an urban legend, but we can say with certainty that the queen was very fond of the Akhal-Teke horse breed. In her stable there was even a whole collection with this color.
In 1941, the Akhal-Teke horse was officially recognized. They appeared on Russian territory during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. They were called, like other Asian horses, by the same name - argamaks. They were of great value among the cabbies. Soon, private stables were built to breed them.
In the Soviet years, the characteristics were improved by crossing. The growth of the animals was significantly increased, and the physique became even more graceful and graceful. Until now, in Russia, they are bred in large quantities in the Moscow region and the Stavropol region.
Today in Turkmenistan the Akhal-Teke horse breed is recognized as a national treasure. They are so proud of her that they put the image of animals on the flag and banknotes.
Breed characteristics
Akhal-Teke horses are so unique in nature that they cannot be confused with anyone else. They are easily recognizable because of their graceful thin shiny skin, silky hair, long legs, a slender body without a drop of fat, small muscle mass, flexible elongated neck, narrow facial part, slightly slanted eyes, large regular teardrop-shaped ears.
The hooves of argamaks are firm and neat, the tail is low, and the mane is not very thick, some animals do not have it at all.
This breed, due to its gracefulness and elegance, is significantly different from the more muscular relatives of other species. Experts sometimes compare them with cheetahs and Dobermans.
Appearance of a rare suit
Outwardly, Isabella stallions are exotic and incredibly graceful. Horses grow up to 157 cm. They are often called desert hounds because of their light constitution. The following can be said about their appearance:
- high withers;
- medium-sized bent neck;
- bright metallic luster;
- foals are born pink, but later the skin becomes creamy;
- their eyes are blue or green;
- wool combines yellowish, creamy and pinkish shades;
- low set, short tail;
- small hooves;
- dry feet.
Isabella has a mane of medium length or is completely absent. The smooth skin is so thin that it is very easy to feel bones, muscles and even blood vessels through it.
The skin on top is covered with a beautiful creamy fur, soft and pleasant to the touch. Experts often call this shine unique: in the sun it acquires a metallic sheen, which gives the animal a special nobility.
In nature, this suit is very rare and those who possess such a specimen are incredibly lucky. The Akhal-Teke cream horse is considered especially valuable. More popular are black, bay and red suits. They change color with age, becoming more saturated and darker.
Temperament
The nature of the Akhal-Teke breed is ambiguous: it cannot be said that they are calm or have a bad temper. Among them there are individuals who are active with a hot temperament, but even if you come across a stallion with character, you will not have to expect aggression from him.
The horses are energetic. They love to be in constant motion, but they do not tolerate human resentment or a bad attitude towards themselves.
Thanks to centuries of upbringing and special attitude, the Akhal-Teke horse has become a proud and willful animal. Representatives of this breed will not do everything that pleases the owner or trainer, especially if they are physically abused.
For the animal to obey, it must be addressed using the "carrot" method, not the "stick" method. They can only be tamed by being patient, kind and sincere. It is better to put the nerves aside, do not get lost on them and do not approach them in a bad mood.
The friendship and genuinely good disposition of the Akhal-Teke horse is worth a lot. Because of her loyalty, she can go to great lengths for the sake of the owner.
They are quite restrained and very smart, incredibly sensitive and can even guess in what mood the owner is. They are distinguished by the main quality for which they are so loved - an extraordinary affection for the owner, like that of dogs. This quality is transmitted at the genetic level and is manifested in absolutely all representatives of the breed.
The owner of the Akhal-Teke horse will listen and obey him, while the stranger will be treated with a grain of salt. If it happens that the owner of the Akhal-Teke horse changes, she is very worried, moping and longing.
It is not uncommon for a horse to simply refuse to accept a new owner. A horse can fully realize itself as a first-class horse and best friend if it has one owner throughout its life.
There is information that in battle, the suits of Akhal-Teke horses often helped their rider during battles, they could kick other horses and even bite.
Participation in horse races
The Akhal-Teke horse breed is often found in various competitions: on distance runs and on terrain races. They are used much less often for contests. Natural endurance allows them to participate and win in sprint races, the stakes are always high. It is easy for riders on such stallions, since the movements of the animal are springy and not exhausting.
Speed indicators can be second only to English horses. If they are not announced in the race, they will always win. In their homeland, in Turkmenistan, competitions are organized especially for the representatives of the oldest breed. Other breeds cannot participate.
Trained animals can show high results in dressage, they easily execute different commands, learn easily, captivate with their grace and royal posture. It is a pleasure to look at them, but few people think that years of hard training are behind the honed movements.
Horse care
Caring for such animals does not require much effort. It is necessary to clean the coat daily, regularly examine the hooves and teeth, and develop them in motion.
Particular attention should be paid to their feeding. All feeds are divided into several categories: coarse (straw, hay), green (grass), concentrated (oats, corn, rye, etc.) and succulent feed (carrots, potatoes).
- You need to feed the animals regularly; it is necessary to determine the ratio of different feeds depending on physical activity. It is only when a horse is well and balanced that it is fed well that its body will be able to produce sufficient juices to help the food digest and digest normally. You need to start with hay and only then apply dry or juicy feed.
- Rough feed is divided into 4 equal parts: 2 are given at night, and 2 more in the morning and afternoon. It is imperative to clean the feeders, and do not save on feed.
With a negligent attitude to feeding, it will not be possible to avoid stomach diseases. It is especially important to provide a sufficient amount of fresh food. Water is also important: an animal can drink up to 45 liters of water per day, and in summer all 70.
After intensive training, it is forbidden to give ice water. Vitamins are used only if necessary. The horse should not work half an hour before eating and at least the same amount after eating.
It is important to regularly bathe and cleanse. It is allowed to bathe horses in a pool or pond if the water temperature exceeds 20 ° C. The bottom should be flat and firm. The horse should be cleaned every few days to avoid heavy contamination. The whole bathing procedure takes up to half an hour. If it is not possible to fully redeem the stallion, you can water it with a hose.
Reproduction
Puberty occurs after 2 years, but breeding should be done later. Insemination takes place artificially. To maintain purebredity, you need to work hard on choosing a pair for a mare, it is imperative to take into account the color.
Foals appear after 11 months of pregnancy. Twins are rare. Newborn babies are completely helpless, for the first six months they eat only mother's milk. All foals are entered in a strict register.
The Akhal-Teke breed is one of the world's trendsetters in horse fashion. This is one of the oldest, if not the oldest purebred breed, in demand to this day. The long-standing origin allowed the Akhal-Teke horses 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 today imprinted on the state emblem of Turkmenistan - the historical homeland of the Akhal-Teke.
The origin of the Akhal-Teke horse breed
It is believed that the Akhal-Teke horse appeared about 3 thousand years BC. in the region that Turkmenistan occupies today. Taking into account the fact that a pure population, not crossed with other horses, has reached our days, 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 familiar to us 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 precisely from Central Asia, that is, in fact, the Akhal-Teke horses became the progenitors of all other horse breeds of the Western world. According to some reports, even Eastern civilizations (China, Japan) acquired horses precisely through the Akhal-Teke.
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 began to prevail in Asia and Europe - Arabian horses, Andalusians, etc.
As Europe and the Arab world got along with local animals, the Akhal-Teke horse breed remained in great demand in Central Asia and in Russia (we then called it "argamak"). However, by that time very few were following 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. This is how the breed acquired its modern name.
With the establishment of Soviet power, serious breeding work began, aimed at "modernizing" this ancient and slightly obsolete breed. The main efforts were made to increase the horse's height and correct some of the flaws in the exterior. Thanks to this, modern Akhal-Teke people differ from their ancestors who lived a thousand years ago, only in growth and in a more correct figure. And all the 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. Rediscovering this breed for itself, the Western world began to use the name familiar to us - Akhal-Teke. Today these horses are bred in dozens of countries around the world, but the most numerous livestock 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. The nomadic peoples needed horses that could easily endure both fast races and long transitions. And all this in conditions of exhausting heat, shortage of pastures and watering places. As a result, lean "dry" horses with a minimum amount of subcutaneous fat were bred, very hardy and not at all capricious in matters of nutrition.
Like many purebred horses, Akhal-Teke horses have their own pronounced character. Unlike the phlegmatic and completely submissive mongrels, these horses require a deeper approach. The Turkmen horse should be interacted with as a partner, and not as an insensitive instrument. Because of this, it is believed that the character of the Akhal-Teke horse is not the easiest.
Separately, it should be said about the special swimming 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 that helps them to more easily overcome the sandy embankments.
In comparison with most European breeds, Akhal-Teke horses look more refined and even fragile, but behind this external grace there is great strength and endurance. In recent history, the Ashgabat-Moscow race, which took place in 1935, is especially famous. Riders on Akhal-Teke horses covered about 3.5 thousand kilometers separating the two cities in just 84 days. At the same time, all horses passed the transition normally and were healthy.
One look 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 shape, it is similar to a greyhound or lean cheetah.
With a fairly proportional body, a long graceful neck and beautiful long legs stand out a little. The coat is short, and the mane is so "thin" that it is often not even cut.
The colors of the Akhal-Teke horses 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 total world livestock numbers only about 6.6 thousand individuals, which is actually quite small. Most of the 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 Boynow horse, who lived in the second half of the 19th century.
Despite some obsolescence, the Akhal-Teke horse still has great potential as a riding breed. "Turkmens" are quite actively used in equestrian sports. Since the times of the USSR, there have been full-fledged races on Akhal-Teke horses, which are held according to the classical rules with all the prizes.
The main prizes, which are drawn 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. From time to time these horses can be seen in the Russian capital.
But the video of the Akhal-Teke breed of horses is 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 considered to be the victory of the Akhal-Teke stallion in dressage during the Roman Olympics in 1960. Akhal-Teke was and remains the only champion in this discipline in the entire history of the Olympic Games who would not belong to German breeds.
Is a business of breeding Akhal-Teke horses possible?
So, we have told almost everything about Akhal-Teke horses, now let's move on to the main thing - to the prospects for commercial breeding in Russia.
Since the Akhal-Teke horse breed is to a certain extent indigenous to our country, the cost of pedigree 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 it is, by definition, more valuable than an ordinary outbred horse.
Taking into account the characteristics, purpose and cost of Akhal-Teke horses, there are two options for how you can make money on their breeding and rearing.
Firstly, these animals are still in demand in sports disciplines, so if you have a dense network of connections with rich people who are passionate about this topic, you can start selling trained stallions to those who wish to take part in equestrian sports. Needless to say, how specific and small this market is. To make money on it, you need to put in much more effort than in any other type of business.
Secondly, the Akhal-Teke horses are generally suitable for tourist use. And although there is a persistent myth about the nature of this breed that the disposition of Turkmen horses is nasty 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 are generally exhausted. Raising these noble horses for meat and milk would be a real blasphemy. And not only because it is a noble horse breed, but also because there are more productive meat breeds, which the Akhal-Teke horses are much inferior to in this matter.
But if we discard commercialism and consider horses exclusively as companion animals, then the Akhal-Teke horses are very good in this regard. Horses of this breed are very attached to their owners and pay obedience for being kind to themselves. Looking to get yourself a pair of horses to indulge in horseback riding on weekends? Akhal-Teke residents are perfect for these purposes. Or, for example, give your wife a creamy Akhal-Teke horse - this is a truly luxurious and completely non-trivial 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 true 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 residential areas. The reasons are obvious and do not require explanation.
The stable itself should be clean, light and moderately warm. Although the Akhal-Teke horses are able to withstand up to 30 degrees of frost, do not forget about the origin of the Akhal-Teke horse breed. 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 shed,
- barn for other feed;
- warehouse for storing harness, tools, etc .;
- walking area.
Unless you plan to handle horse servicing yourself, you will also have to hire some kind of staff. Particular care should be taken when hiring a veterinarian and trainer, as these specialists are responsible for the health of the horse and its ability to perform its tasks.