Akhal Teke History:

• A pure breed from the USSR of very ancient lineage

• Origins unclear - likely a strain of Turkoman breed from Iran

• Seems to be evidence of this breed existing as long ago as 500 BC

• True desert horse

• Kept by Nomadic Turkoman tribes of isolated plains of Central Asia

• Used primarily as a war horse

• 1935 a group of Akhal Tekes travelled 2,762 miles from Ashkabad to Moscow - 225 miles of desert included - in 3 days without water

• Great stamina, fast, resilient

• Survives on little food, tolerates temperature extremes

• Difficult to handle

• First Russian breed to have its own stud book Physique:

• Small elegant head

• Long thin neck

• High sloping shoulders

• Long back

• Shallow body

• Low set tail

• Long legs

• Sparse mane and tail

• Wiry Personality:

• Obstinate

• Temperamental

• Bold

• Bad tempered Colors: Bay or chestnut with a striking metallic gold bloom - predominant color dun, but also black, gray and silver

Height: 14.2 - 15.2 hands high

Popular Uses: Riding, competition, long distance riding, racing, jumping, dressage