Akhal Teke UK
©Black Fox 2007-2011
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“The amalgam of snake, cheetah and eagle” – this poetic description of the Akhal-Teke
horse, by a Russian journalist and writer Irina Khienkina, is well-known amongst the
connoisseurs of the breed.
The modern evaluation of the breed is performed using a points system awarded for Type,
Conformation and Movement, assessed at different points during the lifetime of the horse (see
Bonitirovka). From the age of seven, breeding animals are also rated based on the quality of
off-spring. Performance records are recorded throughout the lifetime of the horse, in
accordance with the recognised rules of the discipline in which the horse is competing.
Evaluation is normally performed by the Chief Studbook Registrar, Tatiana Nikolaevna
Riabova. While her expertise is universally acknowledged, it is also recognised that it is
logistically impossible for a single individual to perform all evaluations worldwide. To this end,
two judges have been now approved to perform evaluations in France, after undergoing
training at VNIIK. If the number of Akhal-Teke foals born annually in the UK increases
Akhal-Teke UK will consider the need for selecting local evaluation experts.
Type and Conformation
Head is light and dry, with a wide, lean jowl. It should have either a straight profile or a slight
Roman nose, favoured by some breeders. The lips and nostrils are finely shaped and the
muzzle should, metaphorically speaking, be able to fit into a small tea-cup.
Eyes are large and have a characteristic elongated almond shape, sometimes likened to the
eyes of a predatory bird. The upper eye lid often overhangs the eye – this feature is highly
prized by breeders and referred to as “hooded eye”.
Ears are long, fine, highly mobile, often having the shape of a scythe or a lyre. They should
not be “lopey” but should point upwards. Some Akhal-Teke have the points of ears
positioned close together when the horse is alert, almost like those of a Marwari horse.
Neck is long, with a characteristic “S”-bend, sometimes likened to the shape of a cobra
suspended before the moment of attack, or to the shape of a curved spout on a traditional
bronze Turkmen vessel. The neck is set high to the withers while the head is set to the neck at
an extreme acute angle, so that if a horizontal line were to be drawn at the level of the lower
lip it will be positioned well above the withers of the horse. A special importance is ascribed
to the so-called “zatylok” – the stretch of the neck between the head and the poll: it is
expected to be long, wide and well-defined.
Withers should be high, long and very-well defined.
Shoulder should be sloping and well-muscled, with a particularly wide, active “swing” which
must be taken into account when fitting a saddle.
Chest is deep. It can be less wide than that of a warmblood but must not be too narrow and
should be well-muscled.
Back is often longer than that of other breeds and can appear to be “soft”. This is not a
defect provided the loin is strong at the point of attachment to the croup and well-muscled.
“Loose coupling” at the loin should be avoided.
Croup is well-muscled and often can have a sloping shape with a low-set tail (opposite to
that of an Arab).
Legs must be “dry”, meaning that the ligaments, joints and bones are clearly-defined and can
be easily seen with a naked eye. The forearm should be long and well-muscled, with short
cannon bones. The hind legs are sometimes cow-hocked or sable-shaped – neither of these
are seen as defects.
Feet are generally strong, with hard horn and correct angle but they can sometimes have thin
soles.
The overall shape of the body is tubular in cross section, with a shallow girth and tucked-up
belly, resulting in an overall impression of a tall, light horse on long legs. An Akhal-Teke
should never be “stalky”, with a large, heavy barrel on short legs. The proportion of the body
mass to the height of the horse is one of the features that gives the Akhal-Teke its marvellous
recovery, as the horse carries relatively little weight in relation to its height.
This is also the reason why, coupled with extreme muscling, the tall, narrow Akhal-Teke
invites the comparison with the fastest animal in the world, the cheetah, while the flexibility
and smooth, elastic movements are likened to that of a snake. The combination of athleticism
and stamina in the Akhal-Teke are unparalleled amongst the horse breeds in the world today.
The Coat
The Akhal-Teke usually has a thin skin and a very fine, silky coat, with a sparse mane and tail
and often no forelock. The fetlocks are expected to be clean and free of hair. Generally, the
less hair the horse has overall, the higher it is rated for its type.
When kept in Northern hemisphere, the Akhal-Teke will grow a winter coat which, however,
completely lacks the coarse, water-resistant hair characteristic of the European native breeds.
The winter coat on an Akhal-Teke is thick, felt-like, and will provide good protection from
the cold but will let in and even soak water. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate
protection from the rain.
Coat Colours
No other breed in the world can boast the variety of colours found within the Akhal-Teke
breed.
Formally, the breakdown of coat colours is set out in the last volume of the General
Studbook as follows:
Black – 12.6%
Bay – 38.5%
Chestnut – 10.2%
Buckskin (colloquial English “dun”) – 24.2%
Palomino – 5.4%
Grey – 6.2%
Crèmello/Perlino – 2.9%
However, there are numerous shades within each of the above formal colours, especially in
Bay, Buckskin and Palomino which can very from very light to very dark, often with strong
dapples and “wings” – the dark areas around the withers.
One of the most unique features of the Akhal-Teke coat colours is the legendary, highly
sought-after “metallic sheen”. It can be found on all of the colours apart from the grey and
varies in intensity from one individual to another.
Skewbald and Piebald are not found within the breed though Sabino can occur but is not
encouraged. Blazes and white socks are common and not discouraged.
Size
Among the old Eastern breeds, the Akhal-Teke has always been known as the tall horse,
with most stallions known to us from the records in the 19th century measuring at over
158cm at the withers. The sizes of the horses listed in the last published volume of the
General Studbook are shown below:
Measurements Stallions Mares
Average Min-Max Average Min-Max
Height at withers 159 147-167 157.3 145-173
Length from lower point of chest
to the point of buttock 160.3 153-170 159 144-175
Chest circumference 177.5 168-189 178 163-198
Cannon bone circumference 19,41 18-21 18.77 17.0-21.0
The average recorded sizes are not regarded as the limit of the genetic potential of the breed
and taller (165-167cm at the withers) are often sought after by the modern breeders, as
European riders are generally taller than traditional male riders in Russia and Central Asia.
Movement
The movements of the Akhal-Teke are spacious, flexible, elastic, with strong impulsion. The
horse moves parallel to the ground, showing elevation but retaining the economical, efficient,
forward stride which make the breed exceptionally comfortable for the rider in all gaits. The
Akhal-Teke evolved as a saddlebred horse over thousands of years, on desert terrain, to
carry a rider over long distances, often in harsh conditions, sometimes requiring a sudden
burst of speed, and at other times a steady, continuous effort. As a result, the Akhal-Teke
possesses both the stamina over long distance and the ability to accelerate from a stand still.
Its racing speed is only second to the English Thoroughbred and exceeds that of the Arab.
The Akhal-Teke also have an excellent jump, showing great athleticism and agility over
fences. The wide range of valuable qualities in the movements of the Akhal-Teke make it
suitable for a variety of equestrian disciplines: it is, in fact, one of the most versatile saddle
breeds, whose ability ranges from flat racing and endurance to dressage and eventing.
Temperament
The Akhal-Teke is the horse of extreme intelligence and sensitivity, with a highly responsive
temperament. It is sometimes described as "the horse of one-master" for the special bond it
will attempt to establish with its owner. While this bond an undeniable characteristic of the
breed, the Akhal-Teke will work with multiple riders who understand their temperament and
are prepared to take the time to get to know the horse. They do not tolerate force and do not
respond well to constant mundane repetition. They require a sensitive and skillful rider and
while they will look after an inexperienced rider, to achieve their potential, they do best in the
hands of a skilled professional.
horse, by a Russian journalist and writer Irina Khienkina, is well-known amongst the
connoisseurs of the breed.
The modern evaluation of the breed is performed using a points system awarded for Type,
Conformation and Movement, assessed at different points during the lifetime of the horse (see
Bonitirovka). From the age of seven, breeding animals are also rated based on the quality of
off-spring. Performance records are recorded throughout the lifetime of the horse, in
accordance with the recognised rules of the discipline in which the horse is competing.
Evaluation is normally performed by the Chief Studbook Registrar, Tatiana Nikolaevna
Riabova. While her expertise is universally acknowledged, it is also recognised that it is
logistically impossible for a single individual to perform all evaluations worldwide. To this end,
two judges have been now approved to perform evaluations in France, after undergoing
training at VNIIK. If the number of Akhal-Teke foals born annually in the UK increases
Akhal-Teke UK will consider the need for selecting local evaluation experts.
Type and Conformation
Head is light and dry, with a wide, lean jowl. It should have either a straight profile or a slight
Roman nose, favoured by some breeders. The lips and nostrils are finely shaped and the
muzzle should, metaphorically speaking, be able to fit into a small tea-cup.
Eyes are large and have a characteristic elongated almond shape, sometimes likened to the
eyes of a predatory bird. The upper eye lid often overhangs the eye – this feature is highly
prized by breeders and referred to as “hooded eye”.
Ears are long, fine, highly mobile, often having the shape of a scythe or a lyre. They should
not be “lopey” but should point upwards. Some Akhal-Teke have the points of ears
positioned close together when the horse is alert, almost like those of a Marwari horse.
Neck is long, with a characteristic “S”-bend, sometimes likened to the shape of a cobra
suspended before the moment of attack, or to the shape of a curved spout on a traditional
bronze Turkmen vessel. The neck is set high to the withers while the head is set to the neck at
an extreme acute angle, so that if a horizontal line were to be drawn at the level of the lower
lip it will be positioned well above the withers of the horse. A special importance is ascribed
to the so-called “zatylok” – the stretch of the neck between the head and the poll: it is
expected to be long, wide and well-defined.
Withers should be high, long and very-well defined.
Shoulder should be sloping and well-muscled, with a particularly wide, active “swing” which
must be taken into account when fitting a saddle.
Chest is deep. It can be less wide than that of a warmblood but must not be too narrow and
should be well-muscled.
Back is often longer than that of other breeds and can appear to be “soft”. This is not a
defect provided the loin is strong at the point of attachment to the croup and well-muscled.
“Loose coupling” at the loin should be avoided.
Croup is well-muscled and often can have a sloping shape with a low-set tail (opposite to
that of an Arab).
Legs must be “dry”, meaning that the ligaments, joints and bones are clearly-defined and can
be easily seen with a naked eye. The forearm should be long and well-muscled, with short
cannon bones. The hind legs are sometimes cow-hocked or sable-shaped – neither of these
are seen as defects.
Feet are generally strong, with hard horn and correct angle but they can sometimes have thin
soles.
The overall shape of the body is tubular in cross section, with a shallow girth and tucked-up
belly, resulting in an overall impression of a tall, light horse on long legs. An Akhal-Teke
should never be “stalky”, with a large, heavy barrel on short legs. The proportion of the body
mass to the height of the horse is one of the features that gives the Akhal-Teke its marvellous
recovery, as the horse carries relatively little weight in relation to its height.
This is also the reason why, coupled with extreme muscling, the tall, narrow Akhal-Teke
invites the comparison with the fastest animal in the world, the cheetah, while the flexibility
and smooth, elastic movements are likened to that of a snake. The combination of athleticism
and stamina in the Akhal-Teke are unparalleled amongst the horse breeds in the world today.
The Coat
The Akhal-Teke usually has a thin skin and a very fine, silky coat, with a sparse mane and tail
and often no forelock. The fetlocks are expected to be clean and free of hair. Generally, the
less hair the horse has overall, the higher it is rated for its type.
When kept in Northern hemisphere, the Akhal-Teke will grow a winter coat which, however,
completely lacks the coarse, water-resistant hair characteristic of the European native breeds.
The winter coat on an Akhal-Teke is thick, felt-like, and will provide good protection from
the cold but will let in and even soak water. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate
protection from the rain.
Coat Colours
No other breed in the world can boast the variety of colours found within the Akhal-Teke
breed.
Formally, the breakdown of coat colours is set out in the last volume of the General
Studbook as follows:
Black – 12.6%
Bay – 38.5%
Chestnut – 10.2%
Buckskin (colloquial English “dun”) – 24.2%
Palomino – 5.4%
Grey – 6.2%
Crèmello/Perlino – 2.9%
However, there are numerous shades within each of the above formal colours, especially in
Bay, Buckskin and Palomino which can very from very light to very dark, often with strong
dapples and “wings” – the dark areas around the withers.
One of the most unique features of the Akhal-Teke coat colours is the legendary, highly
sought-after “metallic sheen”. It can be found on all of the colours apart from the grey and
varies in intensity from one individual to another.
Skewbald and Piebald are not found within the breed though Sabino can occur but is not
encouraged. Blazes and white socks are common and not discouraged.
Size
Among the old Eastern breeds, the Akhal-Teke has always been known as the tall horse,
with most stallions known to us from the records in the 19th century measuring at over
158cm at the withers. The sizes of the horses listed in the last published volume of the
General Studbook are shown below:
Measurements Stallions Mares
Average Min-Max Average Min-Max
Height at withers 159 147-167 157.3 145-173
Length from lower point of chest
to the point of buttock 160.3 153-170 159 144-175
Chest circumference 177.5 168-189 178 163-198
Cannon bone circumference 19,41 18-21 18.77 17.0-21.0
The average recorded sizes are not regarded as the limit of the genetic potential of the breed
and taller (165-167cm at the withers) are often sought after by the modern breeders, as
European riders are generally taller than traditional male riders in Russia and Central Asia.
Movement
The movements of the Akhal-Teke are spacious, flexible, elastic, with strong impulsion. The
horse moves parallel to the ground, showing elevation but retaining the economical, efficient,
forward stride which make the breed exceptionally comfortable for the rider in all gaits. The
Akhal-Teke evolved as a saddlebred horse over thousands of years, on desert terrain, to
carry a rider over long distances, often in harsh conditions, sometimes requiring a sudden
burst of speed, and at other times a steady, continuous effort. As a result, the Akhal-Teke
possesses both the stamina over long distance and the ability to accelerate from a stand still.
Its racing speed is only second to the English Thoroughbred and exceeds that of the Arab.
The Akhal-Teke also have an excellent jump, showing great athleticism and agility over
fences. The wide range of valuable qualities in the movements of the Akhal-Teke make it
suitable for a variety of equestrian disciplines: it is, in fact, one of the most versatile saddle
breeds, whose ability ranges from flat racing and endurance to dressage and eventing.
Temperament
The Akhal-Teke is the horse of extreme intelligence and sensitivity, with a highly responsive
temperament. It is sometimes described as "the horse of one-master" for the special bond it
will attempt to establish with its owner. While this bond an undeniable characteristic of the
breed, the Akhal-Teke will work with multiple riders who understand their temperament and
are prepared to take the time to get to know the horse. They do not tolerate force and do not
respond well to constant mundane repetition. They require a sensitive and skillful rider and
while they will look after an inexperienced rider, to achieve their potential, they do best in the
hands of a skilled professional.