Untold story of Akhal-Teke: The horse breed that faced genocide

The Akhal-Teke (from Turkmen “Ahalteke”) is widely regarded as the first domesticated horse breed in history. It is believed to have been first domesticated by the Turks. Additionally, it is the only horse breed in history to have faced genocide.

In this article, we explore the fascinating history of the Akhal-Teke, a breed famous for its remarkable endurance, speed, intelligence and unique metallic sheen.

Unique traits of Akhal-Teke horse

The Akhal-Teke is a Turkmen horse breed known for its remarkable qualities. It is famous for its speed, stamina, intelligence, and its distinctive metallic sheen, which gives it the nickname “Golden Horses.” The breed is considered one of the oldest horse breeds in existence, and it is particularly widespread among the Turkish people of Central Asia, especially in Turkmenistan.

An Akhal-Teke is believed to be a descendant of an older Turkmen horse breed, and some even claim that both breeds are essentially the same.

The horse is distinguished by its upright posture, long and slender neck, sloping shoulders, long back, long legs, and small, firm hindquarters. Its mane is soft and sparse, and its ears are long and slightly curved, unlike other horses. The eyes of many Akhal-Tekes are almond-shaped, framed by black around the eyes, and their bodies have a faint metallic sheen. Their coats are exceptionally fine and soft, while their movements are fluid and graceful.

Resilient and loyal: The Akhal-Teke’s exceptional characteristics

Akhal-Tekes are known for their impressive performance in training and exhibitions, where they can easily accomplish difficult maneuvers that challenge other horses. The breed excels in “Pas” and “Tolt” movements, which are performed with ease.

These horses are courageous, intelligent, emotional and sometimes stubborn. They possess strong instincts and are incredibly loyal to their owners. The horses are accustomed to a single rider and are highly attuned to even the slightest cues from them.

The breed is also known for its endurance, a trait closely tied to its famous ability to survive in Turkmenistan’s harsh environment with minimal food and water. In 1935, a group of Turkmen riders crossed a 4,000-kilometer distance from Ashgabat to Moscow in 84 days, passing through a waterless desert for 378 kilometers in just three days.

A legacy of survival and endurance

The horse is a purebred that is directly descended from ancient Turkmen horses. It was recorded in the Turkmen horse studbooks. A remarkable feature of this breed is that, according to mummified and frozen horse corpses dating back to the Ice Age, the Akhal-Teke might be the only horse breed that can be considered truly purebred.

The breed gained fame even before the Common Era, spreading from Eastern Europe to China. Many European horse breeds still carry Akhal-Teke bloodlines today.

Notably, all stallions recorded in the English Thoroughbred studbook trace their ancestry to three stallions who arrived in England from the Ottoman Empire. One of them came from North Africa and was likely an Arabian horse, while the other two, including the famous “Byerly Turk” from Istanbul, were purebred horses.

This connection helped influence several German horse breeds, and one of the most renowned sires that shaped these breeds was known as “Turkmen Atti” in German (the German pronunciation of Turkmen horse). Even today, European horses are occasionally crossbred with these horses to further refine their bloodlines.

A dark chapter: Genocide of Akhal-Teke

The Akhal-Teke holds a painful and tragic place in history as the first and only horse breed to face genocide. During Stalin’s reign, the Soviet Union sought to crush the Turkmen resistance by slaughtering their prized horses. The killing of these horses was a deliberate effort to break the spirit of the Turkmen people, as the horse was of immense cultural and symbolic importance.

According to renowned Kazakh historian and ethnologist Ahmet Toktabay, there were 4.5 million horses in Turkmenistan in 1928. However, by 1933, that number had drastically dropped to just 200,000. Around 80,000 of the slaughtered horses were purebred Akhal-Tekes, making Stalin the direct killer of at least 80,000 of these majestic creatures.

The slaughter of Akhal-Tekes remains a dark stain in history, a reminder of the cruelty inflicted upon these noble creatures in an attempt to weaken the Turkmen people’s resistance.

A national treasure of Turkmenistan

The horse holds a significant place in Turkmen culture. Along with the Alabay (Turkmen Shepherd Dog) and Turkmen carpets, the horse is one of the proudest symbols of Turkmen heritage, even featured on the official emblem of Turkmenistan.

These horses are still bred in Turkmenistan, where they live freely in herds known as “Tabune” in the vast steppes of Central Asia, led by a rider. Turkmenistan also has an official Ministry of Horses dedicated to the protection and promotion of the Akhal-Teke breed. Exporting horses from Turkmenistan is strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for any violations.

The Akhal-Teke’s role in Turkmen culture is undeniable, and efforts to preserve its lineage continue, despite the dark history it has endured.