Akhal-Teke Press Release
Ancient Golden Treasure now made in Canada, by Kerri-Jo Stewart, BPE, MSc, Equine MT
(Published in Saddle Up magazine)
Akhal-Tekes are a rare exotic equine exhibiting unparalleled grace and power. These divine Argamaks were the most sought after horses of the nobility of ancient times and they are still highly valued and a treasured throughout Eastern Europe and Asia today. They are raced in Russia and also prized for their exotic beauty. Throughout the rest of the world they are starting to be known as an all-round sport horse. Despite their thin, greyhound-like appearance these are some of the toughest horses in the world.
The Akhal-Teke is a decedent of the Turkoman horse that was bred by the Teke tribe in the Akhal Oasis in Turkmenistan. These tough war horses enabled them to control what is now Turkmenistan for over a thousand years. Regional warfare ruthlessly selected for horses that were not only fast but had amazing strength and endurance. Their horses were prized for their ability to recover quickly from the stresses of long-distance running on very little food and water. Turkmens typically would be required to make week-long trips across the desert, with a daily mileage of 100-150 km traveling between wells.
Many wars have been fought to obtain these magnificent “Golden Horses of Nisa”, from the Chinese emperors in search of the “Heavenly Horses” three thousand years ago, to Ghengis Khan and the Mongol hordes, to Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, then Darius the Great Shah of Persia then Alexander the Great. When the Russians finally were successful at conquering the Teke tribe they honoured their horses, collecting the best ones to establish the first governmental stud farm, the Zakaspiisky, or the TransCaspian Stud. Since then the “Russians have always loved these horses excessively” and breeders have gone to great lengths to save the breed.
In 1935 fifteen Akhal-Tekes were ridden 4,300 km from Ashkabat to Moscow in 84 days to demonstrate their formidable strength to Joseph Stalin. The campaign was a success and permission was granted for their continued breeding. The government of Turkmenistan, upon achieving independence in 1991, defined horse breeding as a nationalistic concern and art form. The Akhal-Teke was declared a national treasure.
Akhal-Tekes are a long-legged, long-backed horse averaging between 15.2 and 16 hh. They also have a high-set swan neck that proudly carries a finely sculpted head with intelligent almond-shaped eyes. Their coat colour is known for its golden hue, shining even in the blacks, bays and chestnuts. The breed is famous for the metallic golden buckskins and palominos and silver perlinos and cremellos. Their efficient heart and lungs, combined with their narrow chest, enable them to excel at endurance events. Their extremely efficient gaits make them not only comfortable to ride, but combined with their boldness and unique temperament, they make a very special riding horse. Although Akhal-Tekes tend to be nervous of strangers they bond very deeply with a human companion.
The role of the Akhal-Teke has now changed from warhorse to an all-round sport horse. As a result of the millenia long breeding for warhorse the Akhal-Teke is very agile, fast and strong with unsurpassed movements. To prove the horses were still incredible endurance athletes the Ashkabat to Moscow ride was successfully repeated in 1988, covering over 3,000 km in 60 days.
Although the breed is currently rare, Akhal-Tekes have been used in sport. The black stallion Absent won medals in three Olympic games for Russia and in 1968 Absent was proclaimed as the “Horse of the Century” and “Horse of the World” by International Journalists. The high jump record is held by Poligon, who set new Puissance records over five successive years, achieving a maximum height of 2m 25 cm. When the long jump was an official competition, the Akhal-Teke stallion Perepel cleared 8m 78 cm.
Lone Larch Akhal-Tekes in Lumby, BC was the first breeder of these amazing horses in Canada following the importation of two mares from Europe, one from Russia and a stallion from the USA, in 2004. They also have the first purebred foal born in Canada in 2005, aptly named Kerkavai, or “Maple Moon”, as she has a maple leaf marking on her forehead and was born under a full moon. Another stud in Alberta, Bold Vantage Farms, followed with more importations. Argamak Stud has also imported four Akhal-Teke horses last year, three directly from Russia and one via Texas. BGD Ranch in Alberta is currently building an Akhal-Teke breeding farm which is looking like it will become the largest Akhal-Teke breeding operation in Canada. The Akhal-Teke crosses very well with a variety of breeds (indeed Akhal-Teke blood runs through most breeds from their inception) and the Golden Horses of Niobe Valley ranch is breeding quarter horse crosses in Alberta.
The main sources for this article were from MAAK, the International Association for Akhal-Teke Breeders, which is based in Russia. For more information also check out http://catha.ca, the site of the newly forming Akhal-Teke Horse Canada association. There are links to numerous information sources and information about Canadian Akhal-Tekes. All admirers of the breed are welcome to join!
“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.” Alexander Klimuk
And the famous photo of Kambar
November 9th, 2009 at 11:10 am
Hello. Can i use the pictures on a webside who caled stallet.se I think it best to ask before