Horse
Pronunciation:
Ah-hall TEK-cheh
Breed Description:
The Akhal-Teke breed of horse is an excellent saddle horse that excels in long-distance rides and endurance races. Everything about this horse is long and lean, including its cannons and pasterns. It has a sparse mane and tail, although the tail can be long. The Akhal-Teke breed of horse has a noble carriage. The coat appears most frequently in a well-known golden buckskin or palomino color with a signature metallic sheen. Less common colors include bay, black, chestnut and gray. Whichever the color, the Akhal-Teke breed of horse has its unique metallic-like sheen to the coat. In 1935 several horses of this breed famously ran a 225-mile race across the desert for three days without water. This horse is bred in Turkmenistan near the Iranian border, where it is a national emblem. It is believed that there are about 3,500 of the Akhal-Teke breed of horse in the world, with most of those residing in Turkmenistan and Russia. Great Britain, the United States and several continental European countries have organized clubs devoted to the breed. Although the Akhal-Teke breed of horse is considered rare, it is gradually becoming easier to obtain one.
Temperament:
The Akhal-Teke breed of horse is a "hot-blooded" type, and can be extremely excitable and sensitive. It is thought to be one of the most intelligent of horse breeds, able to pick up easily on the handlers moods and thoughts. It is said to be a one-rider horse, bonding closely with its owner; unfortunately this train can also make the Akhal-Teke breed of horse difficult to handle by anyone other than the usual handler. Although it is not a horse for the novice handler, in experienced hands it is a loyal animal, and hardy of spirit. This breed needs daily contact with its handler to remain balanced.
Height:
Averages 14.2 to 15.2 hands, or 58 to 62 inches.
Health Problems:
Naked Foal Syndrome has appeared in every country in which the Akhal-Teke breed of horse is bred. Its incidence can be traced to specific lines. It is generally fatal.
Very common to the Akhal-Teke breed of horse is inherited crytorchidism (non-descended testicle). Horses who exhibit this have a statistically higher incidence of testicular cancer and the condition may also be related to behavioral problems due to hormonal imbalance. Removal of the testicles will help these issues, but surgical removal of a non-descended testicle can be quite expensive.
Living Conditions:
The Akhal-Teke breed of horse can be ruined by too much stable life. This horse needs to have open space to expend its enormous store of energy. It is adaptable to various climates and can do well in extremes of weather.
Exercise:
The Akhal-Teke breed of horse needs a good deal of exercise to remain mentally and physically fit.
Origin:
The Akhal-Teke breed of horse is thought to have been in existence as a distinct breed for at least 2,500 years. It is descended from the now extinct Turkmene, a racing horse that existed 3,000 years ago. It was first developed in the Turkmenistan region near Iran, where it is still bred. The Russians developed a fondness for the horse and imported it to Russia for breeding there. The first of the Akhal-Teke breed of horse to come to America arrived in 1979. 