Akhal Teke UK
©Black Fox 2007-2008
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Christoph Vogel is a long-standing member and now the
President of the Swiss Akhal-Teke Association. He has
been instrumental in driving the work of the Swiss
Association and has travelled widely in the Middle East,
North Africa and Central Asia. Christoph owns and rides
two Stavropol-bred Akhal-Teke mares.
_______________________________________________
President of the Swiss Akhal-Teke Association. He has
been instrumental in driving the work of the Swiss
Association and has travelled widely in the Middle East,
North Africa and Central Asia. Christoph owns and rides
two Stavropol-bred Akhal-Teke mares.
_______________________________________________
MM: What is your background? Did you grow up with horses? What kind of riding had
you done before getting involved with the breed?
CV: I started my “horse life” at the age of 55. I grew up not with horses but with stories about
horses: I still remember my father’s uniform, especially his shiny boots and elegant sword,
passing his leave with his family during the Second World War. As an officer in the Swiss
Cavalry, my father spent the Two World Wars with his two horses. Unfortunately he sold
them after the war.
Working most of my professional life abroad I had no chance to care about proper horses
until the age of 55. In 1993 I settled near Berne and started to ride. My first horse, Johira, a
beautiful Arab mare, I bought in 1995.
you done before getting involved with the breed?
CV: I started my “horse life” at the age of 55. I grew up not with horses but with stories about
horses: I still remember my father’s uniform, especially his shiny boots and elegant sword,
passing his leave with his family during the Second World War. As an officer in the Swiss
Cavalry, my father spent the Two World Wars with his two horses. Unfortunately he sold
them after the war.
Working most of my professional life abroad I had no chance to care about proper horses
until the age of 55. In 1993 I settled near Berne and started to ride. My first horse, Johira, a
beautiful Arab mare, I bought in 1995.
MM: I remember you telling me the "crazy"
circumstances in which you acquired your Akhal-
Teke horses some years ago - could you please
recount this story here? Is it characteristic of you
as a person? Are you an impulsive man?
CV: In January 1997 I visited the “Kossack Stud”,
Netherlands, to see the 25 Akhal-Teke Imported
from Stavropol. I immediately fell in love and came
back with Dvina, 2 3/4 years old, right from the
racing track of Piatigorsk. On the 15th of January
1997, coming from the Netherlands, we reached the
Swiss border at 4 o’clock in the morning, during an
awful snowstorm, without any papers for customs.
We got arrested by German customs and it took us
more than 8 adventurous hours to cross the border –
a horror trip of 30 hours.
Dalida, my second Akhal-Teke, I “adopted” in
2001. A friend told me, that an Akhal-Teke mare is
for sale near Lucerne. Knowing all Akhal-Teke in
Switzerland but no one near Lucerne, I got curious
and phoned the seller, asking for details. He sent me
the pedigree by fax: unbelievably, Dalida was a half-
sister to my Dvina. It was impossible to resist the
temptation – I had to “adopt” her.
circumstances in which you acquired your Akhal-
Teke horses some years ago - could you please
recount this story here? Is it characteristic of you
as a person? Are you an impulsive man?
CV: In January 1997 I visited the “Kossack Stud”,
Netherlands, to see the 25 Akhal-Teke Imported
from Stavropol. I immediately fell in love and came
back with Dvina, 2 3/4 years old, right from the
racing track of Piatigorsk. On the 15th of January
1997, coming from the Netherlands, we reached the
Swiss border at 4 o’clock in the morning, during an
awful snowstorm, without any papers for customs.
We got arrested by German customs and it took us
more than 8 adventurous hours to cross the border –
a horror trip of 30 hours.
Dalida, my second Akhal-Teke, I “adopted” in
2001. A friend told me, that an Akhal-Teke mare is
for sale near Lucerne. Knowing all Akhal-Teke in
Switzerland but no one near Lucerne, I got curious
and phoned the seller, asking for details. He sent me
the pedigree by fax: unbelievably, Dalida was a half-
sister to my Dvina. It was impossible to resist the
temptation – I had to “adopt” her.
MM: You once said you used to ride a lot at night - do you still do that? Also, that when
you encounter something a horse might find unusual or scary, you drop the reins and let
the horse decide for herself how to cope with the situation. Is this still your approach?
CV: Having little time to ride during daytime, my horses are used to carry me through the
night. To ride through our mountains during a full moon night is exceptional. Even more
exciting it is to ride through a black night, not being able to see the ears of my horse. Dvina as
well as Dalida are taking over full responsibility: The reins on their neck, they know, they have
to carry me home, no matter the speed, they know the way, they know where to gallop,
where to trot, all that’s necessary is just a quick word! Horses are not suicidal, it’s just a
question of trust - they go not faster than they can see. Just trying not to disturb my horse – a
unique partnership. I really enjoy riding on a dark night on my Akhal-Teke, horses I know
well and I can talk with. I never would risk the experiment on the back of a horse I am not
used to!
you encounter something a horse might find unusual or scary, you drop the reins and let
the horse decide for herself how to cope with the situation. Is this still your approach?
CV: Having little time to ride during daytime, my horses are used to carry me through the
night. To ride through our mountains during a full moon night is exceptional. Even more
exciting it is to ride through a black night, not being able to see the ears of my horse. Dvina as
well as Dalida are taking over full responsibility: The reins on their neck, they know, they have
to carry me home, no matter the speed, they know the way, they know where to gallop,
where to trot, all that’s necessary is just a quick word! Horses are not suicidal, it’s just a
question of trust - they go not faster than they can see. Just trying not to disturb my horse – a
unique partnership. I really enjoy riding on a dark night on my Akhal-Teke, horses I know
well and I can talk with. I never would risk the experiment on the back of a horse I am not
used to!
As a consultant specialising in “systemic
organisational development” I have to deal with a lot
of problems linked to intercultural communication
and perception. How fascinating to look at
communication between horses and men from a
professional point of view: I see in pictures, similar to
photos – my horse sees in movements, similar to
movies. How icy the road is I can see - my horse can
smell it. How deep a swamp is I can hardly judge -
my horse smells it. I am slow - my horse is quick,
quicker than I in all respects. A danger I may see,
maybe hear, before I decide how to react - my horse
is reacting before deciding if there is a danger or not.
I have little time - my horse has a lot of it.
organisational development” I have to deal with a lot
of problems linked to intercultural communication
and perception. How fascinating to look at
communication between horses and men from a
professional point of view: I see in pictures, similar to
photos – my horse sees in movements, similar to
movies. How icy the road is I can see - my horse can
smell it. How deep a swamp is I can hardly judge -
my horse smells it. I am slow - my horse is quick,
quicker than I in all respects. A danger I may see,
maybe hear, before I decide how to react - my horse
is reacting before deciding if there is a danger or not.
I have little time - my horse has a lot of it.
If I have time, I allow my horses to decide where to go. Interesting enough they choose small
paths in the wood I never use, knowing that they end in a swamp. My horses follow the path
up to the swamp; they test the soil with their noses, they return and take the next path in
order to check if there is swamp too or if there is a possibility to get through. I adore listening
to the curiosity of my horses. Incredible how curious my Teke are.
Encountering unusual or frightening objects on our way I use the curiosity of my horses. I
drop the reins and wait until they start to inspect the terrifying object. Interesting to follow
their ambiguity between fear and curiosity. Giving them the time needed to approach and
inspect seems to be the best cure to get a self-confident horse. In the meantime we learned a
lesson: if I drop the reins encountering dangerous objects, it can’t be perilous.
Trust between horse and men may be based on understanding and acceptance of differences
in perception and reaction. In partnershi, we can experience a combination of the different
abilities – one of the fascinations of horsemanship.
Listening to my horses I learned a lot – personally and for my professional life.
paths in the wood I never use, knowing that they end in a swamp. My horses follow the path
up to the swamp; they test the soil with their noses, they return and take the next path in
order to check if there is swamp too or if there is a possibility to get through. I adore listening
to the curiosity of my horses. Incredible how curious my Teke are.
Encountering unusual or frightening objects on our way I use the curiosity of my horses. I
drop the reins and wait until they start to inspect the terrifying object. Interesting to follow
their ambiguity between fear and curiosity. Giving them the time needed to approach and
inspect seems to be the best cure to get a self-confident horse. In the meantime we learned a
lesson: if I drop the reins encountering dangerous objects, it can’t be perilous.
Trust between horse and men may be based on understanding and acceptance of differences
in perception and reaction. In partnershi, we can experience a combination of the different
abilities – one of the fascinations of horsemanship.
Listening to my horses I learned a lot – personally and for my professional life.
MM: You have travelled in Russia and Central Asia - where? when? What was the
focus of your enquiry?
CV: History, Orient and Central Asia have been my favourite subjects already at school.
Having worked as a consultant in textile factories in Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey
and Morocco in the 1970ies I had the chance to do business in Russia in the 1980ies.
Central Asia I started to visit during 2001. One of my new passions is collecting old books
about the conquest of Central Asia Emirates by the Tsarist Army and about the history of the
“big game” between Great Britain and Russia during the 19th century. One of my favourite
subjects is Scythia. During 2007 I had the chance to participate in the international “Scythian
Congress” in Berlin, a fascinating week, a new experience amid archaeologists from all over
the world.
MM: What is the situation with the Akhal-Teke in Switzerland these days? Would you
say the breed is getting more popular? Or do you feel it's always going to be a minority
interest? Would you like to see it more wide-spread or is that counter-productive?
CV: The number of Teke in Switzerland was fairly stable during the last years: ± 70. Teke in
Switzerland mainly are bought due to their exotic beauty – not because of their merits in
sport. Few, if not none, of the Teke are challenged in competition – on the contrary, due to
under-employment and/or lack of professional education and training, owners get difficulties
in handling their Teke. A fact not in favour of the image of the breed.
Prices for Akhal-Teke rather dropped during the last years, partly due to offer and demand,
partly because import is easy and cheap. Switzerland is too expensive to breed horses on a
big scale. Breeding Akhal-Teke in Switzerland can’t be more than fondness.
To enforce marketing efforts in order to expand Akhal-Teke population in Switzerland would
be counter-productive for the breed. What we need are the models of good horsemanship,
owners being ready to invest time in the education and training of their horses with knowledge
and love.
MM: You own two mares but never bred them. Were you ever tempted or is breeding
simply not your focus?
CV: As elsewhere, so it is in Switzerland: time is money - unfortunately in the case of Teke,
money alone is not enough - Teke are asking for time. My personal attitude regarding Teke in
Switzerland is simple: no time - no Teke - a reasonable approach for getting happy owners of
happy Teke. That is also the reason I never started to breed my mares: too many people in
Switzerland with money but no time.
focus of your enquiry?
CV: History, Orient and Central Asia have been my favourite subjects already at school.
Having worked as a consultant in textile factories in Sudan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey
and Morocco in the 1970ies I had the chance to do business in Russia in the 1980ies.
Central Asia I started to visit during 2001. One of my new passions is collecting old books
about the conquest of Central Asia Emirates by the Tsarist Army and about the history of the
“big game” between Great Britain and Russia during the 19th century. One of my favourite
subjects is Scythia. During 2007 I had the chance to participate in the international “Scythian
Congress” in Berlin, a fascinating week, a new experience amid archaeologists from all over
the world.
MM: What is the situation with the Akhal-Teke in Switzerland these days? Would you
say the breed is getting more popular? Or do you feel it's always going to be a minority
interest? Would you like to see it more wide-spread or is that counter-productive?
CV: The number of Teke in Switzerland was fairly stable during the last years: ± 70. Teke in
Switzerland mainly are bought due to their exotic beauty – not because of their merits in
sport. Few, if not none, of the Teke are challenged in competition – on the contrary, due to
under-employment and/or lack of professional education and training, owners get difficulties
in handling their Teke. A fact not in favour of the image of the breed.
Prices for Akhal-Teke rather dropped during the last years, partly due to offer and demand,
partly because import is easy and cheap. Switzerland is too expensive to breed horses on a
big scale. Breeding Akhal-Teke in Switzerland can’t be more than fondness.
To enforce marketing efforts in order to expand Akhal-Teke population in Switzerland would
be counter-productive for the breed. What we need are the models of good horsemanship,
owners being ready to invest time in the education and training of their horses with knowledge
and love.
MM: You own two mares but never bred them. Were you ever tempted or is breeding
simply not your focus?
CV: As elsewhere, so it is in Switzerland: time is money - unfortunately in the case of Teke,
money alone is not enough - Teke are asking for time. My personal attitude regarding Teke in
Switzerland is simple: no time - no Teke - a reasonable approach for getting happy owners of
happy Teke. That is also the reason I never started to breed my mares: too many people in
Switzerland with money but no time.
MM: Do you feel this ancient
breed is moving forward in its
development? What is the role of
the West in the development of
the breed?
CV: Teke have been bred to master
long distance under rough condition
within short time. Switzerland has no
long distance, it is a narrow country
full of fences with few possibilities to
cross country, with not much paths
left natural, with few people having
no time to ride for hours on end.
Until we get not enough horses
enabling us to start racing, I presume
that Akhal-Teke shall remain a
fondness of a small minority.
breed is moving forward in its
development? What is the role of
the West in the development of
the breed?
CV: Teke have been bred to master
long distance under rough condition
within short time. Switzerland has no
long distance, it is a narrow country
full of fences with few possibilities to
cross country, with not much paths
left natural, with few people having
no time to ride for hours on end.
Until we get not enough horses
enabling us to start racing, I presume
that Akhal-Teke shall remain a
fondness of a small minority.
Dalida
Dvina
The proof that Akhal-Teke can beat Arabs in endurance is not yet delivered. Nevertheless,
in racing and endurance I see a possible future for Akhal-Teke in sport. It will be a long
way, will need big efforts to get there – some promising approaches are made.
The tendency to transform Akhal-Teke into a standard sport horse for show jumping or
dressage I cannot support. My personal view, my personal wish is that Akhal-Teke should
perform successfully as racing horses over long distance.
What I think is important and what I am fighting for is the preservation of the pure gene pool,
the unique result of know-how, investment and heritage of more than 130 generations of
breeders!
MM: You have played a key role in the work of the Swiss Association over the years
but kept a fairly low profile, so your name, in my opinion, is less well know than it
deserves to be... Is this how you like to work?
CV: As president of the Swiss Akhal-Teke Association my main concerns are:
- professional horse grading in order to support a sound breeding mainly by amateur
breeders (including veterinary test, conformation, workability, basic education and
performance);
- support owners of the Akhal-Teke;
- encourage the use of Akhal-Tele in sport;
- keeping a studbook on a professional level;
- getting the Akhal-Teke, born and registered in Switzerland, accepted and registered
also by MAAK;
- encourage a professional “International Akhal-Teke Association” in order
to preserve the unique breed of Teke on a world wide homogeneous basis;
- encourage cooperation between national Akhal-Teke Associations.
It may lie in the nature of horsemen that they tend to be dominant and not very talented for
team-work and cooperation ( the handling of stallions may have an influence on human
relationship). I feel very sorry that there is no forum for national breeders’ associations
defining the future of Akhal-Teke breed on a worldwide basis. I feel very sorry about the
missing institutional coordination: it does not do any favours to the unique breed of Akhal-
Teke!
In the mean time, we try hard to build up a professional breeding service to save our Akhal-
Teke in Switzerland under the headline: “small is beautiful”. Our standards and services are
published on our home page: www.Achal-Tekkiner.ch
The future of the Akhal-Teke breed
If I try to judge the future development of the Akhal-Teke breed from a historical point of
view I have to take in consideration that the Akhal-Teke have been bred as argamaks.
Akhal-Teke have been a secret weapon enabling nomads to survive in the steppes and
mountains of Central Asia. In ancient times, there was no market for the Akhal-Teke. There
have been only three possibilities to get a divine horse: war, robbery or the chance to get it
as a present.
Modern tendencies of “industrial” breeding and commercialisation of Akhal-Teke all over
the world may be a danger for the breed. Akhal-Teke should not become a “Euro-Cheval”
or a “US-Standard-Horse”.
The voices of the breeders from the territory of ancient Turania should not be silenced! The
original horse born and raised in the arid steppes of Central Asia should be encouraged and
preserved!
in racing and endurance I see a possible future for Akhal-Teke in sport. It will be a long
way, will need big efforts to get there – some promising approaches are made.
The tendency to transform Akhal-Teke into a standard sport horse for show jumping or
dressage I cannot support. My personal view, my personal wish is that Akhal-Teke should
perform successfully as racing horses over long distance.
What I think is important and what I am fighting for is the preservation of the pure gene pool,
the unique result of know-how, investment and heritage of more than 130 generations of
breeders!
MM: You have played a key role in the work of the Swiss Association over the years
but kept a fairly low profile, so your name, in my opinion, is less well know than it
deserves to be... Is this how you like to work?
CV: As president of the Swiss Akhal-Teke Association my main concerns are:
- professional horse grading in order to support a sound breeding mainly by amateur
breeders (including veterinary test, conformation, workability, basic education and
performance);
- support owners of the Akhal-Teke;
- encourage the use of Akhal-Tele in sport;
- keeping a studbook on a professional level;
- getting the Akhal-Teke, born and registered in Switzerland, accepted and registered
also by MAAK;
- encourage a professional “International Akhal-Teke Association” in order
to preserve the unique breed of Teke on a world wide homogeneous basis;
- encourage cooperation between national Akhal-Teke Associations.
It may lie in the nature of horsemen that they tend to be dominant and not very talented for
team-work and cooperation ( the handling of stallions may have an influence on human
relationship). I feel very sorry that there is no forum for national breeders’ associations
defining the future of Akhal-Teke breed on a worldwide basis. I feel very sorry about the
missing institutional coordination: it does not do any favours to the unique breed of Akhal-
Teke!
In the mean time, we try hard to build up a professional breeding service to save our Akhal-
Teke in Switzerland under the headline: “small is beautiful”. Our standards and services are
published on our home page: www.Achal-Tekkiner.ch
The future of the Akhal-Teke breed
If I try to judge the future development of the Akhal-Teke breed from a historical point of
view I have to take in consideration that the Akhal-Teke have been bred as argamaks.
Akhal-Teke have been a secret weapon enabling nomads to survive in the steppes and
mountains of Central Asia. In ancient times, there was no market for the Akhal-Teke. There
have been only three possibilities to get a divine horse: war, robbery or the chance to get it
as a present.
Modern tendencies of “industrial” breeding and commercialisation of Akhal-Teke all over
the world may be a danger for the breed. Akhal-Teke should not become a “Euro-Cheval”
or a “US-Standard-Horse”.
The voices of the breeders from the territory of ancient Turania should not be silenced! The
original horse born and raised in the arid steppes of Central Asia should be encouraged and
preserved!