AKHAL TEKÉ

Breed of horse native to the desert oases of Turkmenistan, east of the Caspian Sea and north of Iran. One of the oldest horse breeds, the Akhal-Teké has been bred and raced for at least 3000 years. This horse is prized for its desert hardiness, it has remarkable endurance and resistance to heat. The Akhal-Teké breed is as old as the Arabian horse, and may have been one of its ancestors. Records show this horse was ridden in the Turkmenistan region around 500 BC. The breed became a modern legend in 1935 when several Akhal-Tekés completed an 84-day, 4128-km (2565-mi) trek from Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan, to Moscow, Russia. This incredible journey, which included 966 km (600 mi) of desert with minimal rations of feed and water, has never been equaled. The Akhal-Teké stands about 157.5 cm (about 62 in, or 15.5 hands) high at the withers. (the high part of the back, located between the shoulder blades). Its long, narrow, tubelike body has the fine, strong build typical of desert horses. The legs and back are long, and the withers are high. The long, slender neck is carried unusually high, joining the body at a 45-degree angle, a distinguishing characteristic of this breed. Large eyes and wide nostrils give the fine-boned face a bold expression. Large ears are set wide apart. The Akhal-Teké has a distinctive metallic, golden sheen overlaying a fine-haired coat that can be colored dun (yellowish or bluish), bay (reddish), gray, or black. Its mane and tail are silky but sparse. Developed for its racing ability, the Akhal-Teké appears as graceful as it is powerful. This horse is now bred in Kazakstan, Dagestan, and the northern Caucasus Mountains. It is ridden, raced, and used for show jumping, dressage (guiding a horse through a series of complex maneuvers with slight movements of the hands, legs, and weight of the rider), and competitive long-distance riding.

Akhal Teké - Andalusian - Appaloosa - Arabian - Ass - Australian Stock Horse - Bashkir Belgium Heavy Draft horse - Cleveland Bay - Clydesdale - Dutch Warmblood - Gelderlander - Hackney - Holsteiner - Paard (algemeen) - Irish Draught - Lippizaner - Missouri Fox Trotter - Morgan Horse - Mule - Mustang - Oldenburger - Palomino - Percheron - Peruvian Paso - Pinto - Quarter Horse - Selle Francais - Standardbred - Tarpan - Tennessee Walker - Trakehner - Ungulate (onevenhoevigen) - Zebra -