Turk riders
Turk group
endurance
teke sunset
teke rearing
teke jumper
absent_dressage
teke_jockey
The Akhal Teke is an ancient desert breed of great intelligence, sensitivity, and stamina from Turkmenistan in Central Asia.  It has been proven that it is the oldest breed in the world.  The name "Akhal" originates from an oasis in the northern hills of the Kopet-Dag mountains in the Turkmenistan Republic.
This area was inhabited by a tribe of riding nomads called the Teke.  The Teke tribesmen took great pride in the purity and in the ancient lineage of their horses.  Due to the harsh environment, the breed developed the ability to withstand great extremes of temperatures and conditions.
In the summer of 1931, the Akhal Teke breed proved their incredible stamina by traveling 4300 km from Ashkabaad to Moscow (see the top banner image).  The horse and rider had to overcome vastly different climate zones and diverse topography.  They had to cross deserts with deep sand and sharp, jutting rocks.  Food and water were sparse.  In 1986, the ride was repeated as a memorial ride.  Under extreme conditions, the horses once again showed incredible endurance, patience, and loyalty to their riders.
The Akhal Teke is a light-built horse of extraordinary, exotic elegance with a distinctive confirmation.  The neck is straight and long, often thin and set high on sloping shoulders.  The withers are prominent, the body is long, lean, and narrow with a pronounced croup and sloping hind quarters.  Legs are long and dry; cannon bones short and dense with small strong hooves.  Very characteristic of the breed is the sparse mane and forlock and absence of feathers on the legs.  These horses come in all different colors but the prevailing color is gold with a unique metallic sheen that is found in no other breed.  The normal height for Akhal Teke horses is between 15 and 16 hands.
Today, the breed is quite rare by modern breed standards.  The Russians consider the Akhal Teke as part of a genetic fund of exceptional value.  The Akhal Teke horse is something truly special.
akhal teke info