Akhal-Teke: the golden horse of the desert
The striking Akhal-Teke breed has overcome many setbacks during its 3000-year history, exactly its influence on other Equus caballus breeds cannot move denied. Now, the ancient breed is returning to the spotlight, amongst its athleticism, stamina, speed, agility, as well as particular drive winning admirers.
The Akhal Teke is considered to move i of the oldest of modern domesticated equine breeds inward existence. The breed every bit it is known today start appeared inward Turkmenistan, Central Asia, inward Kara Kum, a rocky, apartment desert surrounded yesteryear mountains which played a meaning purpose inward preserving the Akhal Teke’s purity. Tribesmen of Turkmenistan start used the horses for raiding as well as they were selectively bred for speed as well as agility. Pedigree records were maintained orally yesteryear Turkomen tribesmen.
In 1881, Turkmenistan became business office of the Russian Empire. Russian General Kuropatkin had admired the horses he had seen whilst fighting the Turkomen tribesmen, as well as founded a breeding farm later the war, renaming the horses “Akhal-Tekes,” later the Teke Turkmen tribe that lived close the Akhal oasis.
The Russians printed the start studbook inward 1943. Sadly the breed suffered greatly during times of state of war as well as at i quest entirely 1250 horses remained.
Historical records exhibit that the Akhal-Teke has had influence on many breeds through merchandise as well as war, amongst stallions frequently gifted to Heads of State as well as other influential figures inward unusual lands. It is idea that the Byerly Turk, i of the 3 major foundation stallions of the thoroughbred breed, may convey been an Akhal-Teke or Turkoman Horse.
Three other stallions, known every bit the “Lister Turk”, the “White Turk” as well as the “Yellow Turk” named later his distinctive golden maybe palomino (dilute) coat carried forth the dilution cistron which is responsible for producing the buckskin as well as palomino coat colours flora inward unopen to of today’s Thoroughbreds. The Trakehner has also been influenced yesteryear the Akhal-Teke, most notably yesteryear the stallion Turkmen-Atti, every bit convey the Russian breeds Don, Budyonny, Karabair, as well as Karabakh.
In the early on 20th century, crossbreeding betwixt the Thoroughbred as well as the Akhal-Teke took place, aiming to practise a faster long-distance racehorse. However, the Anglo Akhal-Tekes were non every bit resilient every bit their Akhal-Teke ancestors, as well as many died due to the harsh weather condition of Central Asia.
After the 2600 mile endurance race from Ashkabad to Moscow inward 1935, when the purebreds finished inward much amend status than the part-breds, the studbook administration decided to consider all crossbred horses born later 1936 every bit business office bred. Horses amongst English linguistic communication Thoroughbred ancestors born earlier that engagement were allowed to stay within the studbook as well as the stud mass was closed inward 1975.
Today at that topographic point is a amount basis broad population of entirely close 7000 horses. The largest population is flora inward Russian Federation amongst close 700 inward their native homeland of Turkmenistan, M across Europe exactly entirely forty or as well as thence inward the UK.
So why are the numbers as well as thence low, given the athletic qualities that this spectacular breed has to offer?
One has to ponder the reasons why this rare as well as beautiful animal, frequently inward spectacular shades of gilded amongst a glimmering metallic element sheen to their coat, has non benefited from the same popularity every bit the thoroughbred inward developing as well as creating today’s modern riding horse.
The ban of exports from the Soviet Union played a purpose to a sure extent, the lack of finance as well as administration of the breed has also had detrimental effects. And unopen to would fence that their less than desirable conformation frequently portrayed inward images of ewe necked, sickle hocked, overly long tubular bodied animals frequently inward a nation of malnutrition most sure as shooting has done the breed no favours, either.
But the breed is evolving as well as whilst the Akhal Teke has been primarily bred for racing inward Moscow as well as Turkmenistan, several breeders are straightaway selectively breeding for desirable conformation, temperament, jumping ability, athleticism as well as drive which volition heighten their mightiness to perform amend as well as compete amongst success inward the FEI disciplines of equestrian sport.
Perhaps straightaway inward lite of recent developments within the breed it is fourth dimension to alter perceptions as well as remind ourselves of the success that Sergey Filatow had riding the dark Akhal Teke stallion Absent to claim the Olympic Gold medal inward dressage inward Rome inward 1960 for the USSR as well as recognise that this rare as well as beautiful breed has as well as nevertheless tin laissez passer on the sack gain splendid results inward sport.
The Akhal Teke is really much a breed that tin laissez passer on the sack move used amongst success inward both business office bred as well as purebred breeding programs, to refine as well as infuse stamina, heart, toughness, speed as well as agility as well as for the pleasance passenger or owner, volition move a loyal as well as gentle companion.
By Rosalyn Serex, Solaris Sport Horses
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