akhal-tekes

The Akhal-Teke was the first specific breed I really wanted to ride. When I was in Russia (cycling 5,600 km through Europe) I was thinking about going across to Vladivostok and upon talking with a local they offered me to trade my bicycle for a horse that could take me the entire way. Although I was tempted I was sure I would kill it as I knew nothing about horses. So I continued to Nord Cap instead. However, the fascination with the Akhal-Teke began and Argamak Stud Canada was created. And now I have my dream horses that will take me any where...

"The Akhal-Teke horse - is the first thoroughbred horse in the world, the last drops of the original source of the pure blood which helped to created all cultivated breeding traditions in the world...

"For thousands of years, there was no other breed of equal beauty, strength, speed and stamina." (V.O. Vitt)

There is no other horse that leaves such unforgettable impression as the noble Akhal-Teke - lithe, light and springy, glistening with gold in the rays of the sun, with its smooth gliding trot and a ground-lining gallop. (A. Klimuk)

No other horse has the unique combination of long, elegant lines with such overtly expressive signs of strength and energy.

To a European eye it may appear to be of slight built but if one looks carefully at its conformation one will find a remarkable aptitude for speed and endurance.

"What engine, what muscles, tendons, width and capacity of its joints!" (E. Gallo - French Hippologist)

The Akhal-Teke horse is certainly one of the most beautiful breeds. Those who have seen it once, will always recognize it amongst other horses: Its appearance is unique and strikes one's eye with its refinement and noble form.

As one of the most ancient of all pure breeds, the Akhal-Teke horse is recognized as the precursor of all modern "cultivated" breeding, the first thoroughbred tradition. (A. Klimuk)

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Read the entire post at the Shael Teke website!!

Teke Talk

Blog sur le Cheval Akhal Teke

Akhal-Teke Ranch Blog

Old days, there was a slim, golden-bay Alhal-Teke stallion called Akhale and no one horse could beat him during a race. It was decided to compete Akhale and a falcon. Thousands of people gathered from around the world to witness the unique competition. The owner of the falcon and the bay stallion stood at the top of the hill. The falcon and Akhale started the race at the same moment. Like an arrow flew the golden-bay stallion by the astonished viewers leaving the falcon far behind. Since that time Akhal-Teke stallions are often given names of birds...

read the entire article on "Golden Horses of Asia"

The history of the breed is as unique and extraordinary as the beauty of the breed itself. The descriptions that we have, the oldest of which date back from the end of the third millennium b.c. to the beginning of the second millennium b.c., describe these Central Asian horses as having a lean, dry build, long, upright necks, a soft head, and a golden color. Already, it is evident to us that these wild ancestors of modern Akhal-Tekes were easily differentiated from Persian horses. The dry continental climate, and mild, snow-less winters, extensive pastures of tall grasses enabled the formation of these large, strong, and fast horses which were less dependent on storing up fat for the winter, and obtaining a well-known reputation in battle in the more northern steppes.

Among those who produced horses in the Central Asian countries include Khutal', "GoldenHorse" Baktria, but in particular, the nation of the Massagetti, a people who inhabited the land of present-day Turkmenistan. According to Herodotus, the Massagetti possessed the best horses, and had already become an improving influence on horse cultivation in both near, and distant countries. The Persian King Kambiz, having conquered Egypt with the help of the Massagetti, left a part of them to stay in Egypt as an occupational detachment. It seems that the Donegal horses of North Africa possess a significant amount of blood brought from Central Asia by the Massagetti. The outside appearance of the Donegal horses and the Akhal-Tekes is visible even today.

...read the entire article at "Shael Stud Farm"

How to recognize the Akhal-Téké thoroughbred? One often compares it with the greyhound which is originating in the same geographical areas.

Akhal-téké can be described in the following way:

* The head: proportioned well, light, dry with broad cheeks, the right or slightly convex chamfer,
* The neck: grafted high on the shoulder. Long, right, fine but broad at its base and muscular, pointed almost with the vertical; sparse main...
* The garrot: high, length and left well,
* The back and the kidney: right and length,
* The croup: slightly swallowed with an attached tail rather low,
* The tail: little provided,
* The shoulder: long and oblique attached on an often narrow breast piece,
* Limbs: fine legs and dry, finished by small very hard shoes; one notices quasi an absence of hairs on the level of the pastern.

Its silhouette is longiligne, with a proud wearing of head, almond eyes slightly, very expressive, well drawn ears, always in alarms. It has a fine skin whose certain subjects have the silky hair often has metal reflections specific to the race.

Raised generations while being since very close to the man, it also testifies to a great sensitivity. It awaits much the man, it is a demanding horse but which can return more than it did not receive, conversely if the man does not bring until it waits, it can show his dissatisfaction, which was worth to him sometimes to be regarded as a difficult horse.

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read the entire article on "Akhal-téké France"

Nowhere in the world other than in Russia will people get a comparable chance to see the brightest-shining stars of the equestrian world, as when the regal Akhal-Teke horses will be appear at the unique show "Teke Palmira - shaEl".

The jewels of the breed will be presented by the leading breeders of the Akhal-Teke, including horses from private collections (among them, the stables of President Putin).

The spectators and the authoritative panel of judges will evaluate a multi-phase contest, where the Akhal-Teke horse will appear in all its glamour - in free-moving style individually and in competition to win the title of "The Most Beautiful Horse - 2007".

The parade of beauty and grace will be accompanied by live music and dance, in Eastern style.

The 21st century affords people an array of opportunities, yet, in order to see the living descendants of the equine companions of the Egyptian pharaohs, of King Solomon and Alexander the Great, one has to come to Russia, to the equestrian show "Teke Palmira - shaEl".

These horses carry the smell of the sweat of the Emperor Darius (A. Glukharev). L. Babaev HorseGames.ru

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Read shael's entire post (#68) translated by maria (#69) at the KaraKum Stud Blog, type vs purity approval.

For lots of discussion about Akhal-Tekes sign up for the Akhal-Teke mailing list, which is "dedicated to the promotion and advancement of the ancient oriental breed of horse known as the Akhal-Teke".

There is lots of information and experience here with almost 400 members!

There are some worthwhile tales and books on Akhal-Tekes. See them at the Akhal-Teke Literature Lens!

Find out what is available and where to buy them!

Including, the newly published, "Golden Collection of Akhal-Teke horses".