The world today is home to more than 250 breeds of horses cultivated by man over many centuries. The Akhaltekin breed stands apart as the patriarch of horse-breeding. It took more than three millennia to produce this breed. The exact date of the Akhalteke breed’s first appearance is not known, but the earliest mentions go back to the 4th - 3rd century AC. Bucephalus, the favourite horse of Alexander the Great, was Akhalteke. The Akhalteke oasis, where the famous racing horses originate, is located between the Kopetdag mountain range and the Garagum sands from Mary to Bakharden.

Teke were both crop growers and soldiers, who protected their lands. The slim and speed Akhalteke weremeant for combat as saddle horses. This is their most distinctive and unique trait.The proud and independent Turkmens have created the breed over centuries. Breeding secrets were passed down from father to son. The horse was their first and closest friend. The Akhalteke horses could cover almost without food and water large distances in the desert.They were swift, steadfast, deeply attached to their master, wary with outsiders, admirably pure-breed and beautiful. Modern Akhalteke horses inherited their ancestors’best traits.

Bagul Saparmyradova,

2nd year student of the Faculty of International Journalism
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.