AKHAL–TEKE STANDARD
Overall Impression: The Akhal-Teke is an elegant, exotic animal exuding grace, power and athleticism. The comparison in appearance to a cheetah or fine greyhound is not inaccurate. While degrees of “type” are allowed and even encouraged, all examples of the breed should carry the distinct characteristics that differentiate the Akhal-Teke from other horses. In judging or grading these animals, basic soundness is of primary importance, followed by the presence of “type”. Severe faults in conformation shall be penalized severely even in the presence of outstanding “type”. Brilliance in type, conformation and/or movement, even accompanied by minor faults or shortcomings, shall be recognized and rewarded highly.
Head & Neck: Head shall be long and narrow, with most of the length being from the eyes to the muzzle. Ears are long, slim and set forward. Overall, the head is dry, with large nostrils and thin lips. Eyes often are “hooded” and “oriental” in appearance. The Akhal-Teke has a refined throatlatch, flexible poll and long, slim neck, set high out of the shoulder.
Faults: Severe overshot or undershot jaw, common or coarse head, thick throatlatch, thick neck, low neck set.
General Conformation: The Akhal-Teke is meant to be a medium-sized horse, ranging in size from 14.3h to 16h. Extremes in either direction are not desirable. In general, the Akhal-Teke gives the impression of length, without showing weakness or frailty. The Akhal-Teke should be longer than it is tall, with a rectangular silhouette. The back is long, but strong, with a level top-line. Withers are prominent and attached to a well set-in shoulder. Shoulders should be nicely sloped and extremely free-moving. The hip angle is wide and gives the appearance of strength. Tail set is low. When viewed from the front, the chest is narrow, although the heart girth is deep. The skin of the Akhal-Teke is very thin, with their coat and hair being quite fine. Often the breed shows a sparse mane & tail, little or no forelock and the absence of feathering on the fetlocks. Any color is acceptable, as is any combination of white markings. The characteristic “metallic gleam” is a desirable feature. Overall, the Akhal-Teke should give the impression of lithe athleticism without excessive musculature.
Faults: Extreme heaviness or reediness. Excessively long back, especially when coupled with weak loin connection. Extreme downhill conformation. mono or cryptorchidism. Thick, coarse or overly muscular appearance. A square outline, the horse being taller than it is long.
Legs/Feet: The Akhal-Teke is a true desert horse, and as such, should possess extreme stamina and hardiness. The presence of adequately dense bone is one such indicator of these traits. Akhal-Tekes have short cannon bones and low-set hocks, while the forearm and gaskins are long and smoothly muscled. Legs are dry, with tendons well defined. Joints are large. Knees should be flat. Pasterns should be long and display an identical angle to the hoof and shoulder. Hooves are small, round and extremely hard.
Faults: Any and all limb formations that could contribute to future unsoundness, including but not limited to: bench knees, calf knees, off-set cannon bones, sickle hocks, wide at the hocks, lack of bone, small joints, pigeon-toed or toed-in stance and dished hooves. Horses shall be penalized according to the severity of the fault.
Temperament: The Akhal-Teke horses are vigorous, excitable, and restless. Thousands of years of selective breeding have left their mark not only on their physical appearance and efficiency, but also on their behavior. These horses are not only sensible but also very sensitive; they are even able to respond to mental suggestions of humans. Their intelligence is not comparable to any other breed. They not only need a sensitive rider, but a human being who can share their feelings when they gallop over vast areas just for the joy of movement. Due to the way in which they were raised and bred they are essentially one-master horses and bonding with a human owner is in their blood. Some Tekes may be difficult when ridden by strangers. With them you cannot achieve obedience by shouting or punishment; a glance, a small gesture, or a soft-spoken word are sufficient. A punishment not understood by the horse can cause them to be in a defensive mood for weeks. They are horses with character, outspoken individuals. Says Sue Waldock, President of the Akhal-Teke Association of GB: “They respond best to daily love and attention, a bit like a dog. If you ignore a dog it will misbehave too.” They are not suited to nervous or irritable humans. They are not suited to the limitations of modern stables, which kill their spirit. They are horses belonging to wide open spaces.
The Akhal-Teke is descended from the Turkmene horse, thought originally to be an ancient Scythian type. The Scythians were nomadic people who migrated from Central Asia to southern Russia in the 8th and 7th centuries BC. The Scythians were among the earliest people to master the art of riding. They were admired for their prowess in war, and in particular for their horsemanship. As early as 700 BC they had huge cavalries. The Scythians founded a rich, powerful empire that survived for several centuries before succumbing to the Sarmatians during the 4th century BC.
Akhal-Teke horses were originally bred as war and raiding horses. The breed was named to identify with the Teke tribe from the Akhal oasis, located in the arid plains of Turkmenistan on the Northern slopes of the Kopet-Dag Mountains. The nomadic Teke people, descended from the Scythians, regularly traveled between summer and winter ranges. They frequently conflicted with other tribes, leading the Tekes to invade to take what was necessary and then quickly leave on their swift horses. Building on the natural qualities of the Turkmene horse, they bred animals of incredible stamina and fiery temperament in order to withstand the long distance raiding journeys. The fame of the Akhal-Teke in the ancient world spread very far, and they became highly desired. One Chinese emperor in particular, Emperor Wu Ti of 141 B.C., sent an expedition carrying large amounts of gold to exchange for these horses, but his offer was refused. Several years later, he sent an expedition of 60,000 soldiers, and was finally presented with 10 elite horses.
The Tekes horses’ lineage and breeding was kept pure, through an oral tradition of maintaining bloodlines, and also due to their relative isolation. The pride the Tekes had in their horses became intertwined with their reliance upon them to support their way of life. The Teke people revered their prized horses and were highly devoted to them. Horses were valued as the single measure of true wealth thus their horses were brought into the family tents, blanketed against the cold desert nights and winter winds. They were given the best foods that could be found, including grains, animal proteins and fat. The Akhal-Tekes are lively and alert, with a reputation for being “one-rider” horses due to the way in which they were raised, but also they seem to have an intuitive nature to be close to their owners more so than other breeds. The breed is tough and resilient, having adapted to the harshness of Turkmenistan lands, where horses must live without much food or water.
When Russia took over Central Asian areas and prevented customary raiding, the Turkmene focused on racing their prized Akhal-Tekes. One of the darkest periods in the history of the breed came as a result of the Bolshevik revolution and Communism. Thousands of horses were slaughtered. It goes without saying that this campaign tore at the very soul of the Teke people. Rather than allow their prized horses to be slaughtered, many Tekes disappeared into the deserts with their horses or turned their horses loose.
One of the most outstanding exhibitions of equine endurance ever recorded occurred in 1935 with the Akhal-Teke horse. The Turkmoman people took a group of Akhal-Teke stallions over 2,500 miles from Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to Moscow in 84 days to demonstrate to Joseph Stalin their formidable strength and what a rare, valuable breed of horse the Akhal-Teke was; worthy of preservation and devotion to keep pure in the hopes that he would grant his permission for their continued breeding. The campaign was a success. 225 miles of the journey crossed the KaraKum desert, which was covered in 3 days with little water available. This endurance ride was repeated in 1988. Since that time, the Akhal-Teke has been bred for purity, while still contributing its outstanding qualities to cross-breeding efforts. Today, racing Akhal-Tekes and maintenance of the breed itself is a principal source of national and cultural pride.
Today Akhal-Teke horses are bred throughout America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other parts of the world. Here in the USA they number several hundred and are becoming more numerous. They are competing in Endurance, Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Western events, as well as being used as pleasure horses. More and more people are enjoying partnerships with the unique Akhal-Tekes.
