The Akhal-Teke horse. The interviews with these animals (and the people who raise them) are still in the top-ten list of things that make us smile. Not that they are funny-looking, because words like “majestic,” “graceful” and “exotic” don’t begin to cover it. Words that describe them include: Move like a cat. Some glow like a lightbulb. Smart as a fox. Fleet as the wind. Loyal. Brave. Smooth. And they will go to the wall for their people.
This breed is all over the history books. To name a few tidbits...
--Originally from Turkmenistan, it was used by the Parthians and gave the Romans trouble all across the Middle East.
--Alexander the Great is said to have a connection with the breed.
--One of the foundation breeds of the Thoroughbred was otherwise known as the Byerly Turk. As in, the horse from Turkmenistan. Yep, that one.
--If you’ve seen the movie “Hidalgo,” you’re familiar with the distance races across the Middle East, in Turkmenistan’s neighborhood. The Akhal Teke excels at this type of race throughout history in the region.
--The Akhal Teke could be original cavalry breed, used across the desert for tribal raids. “Endurance” is their middle name.
--If you’ve heard of the Nez Perce horse (you might think of an Appaloosa), you’re familiar with the characteristics needed by military raiders using fast, smart and light horses that also need to be athletic enough to run all night. When the Nez Perce wanted to reinvigorate the bloodline of their breed, the Akhal Teke was the breed they chose.
But the reason we still smile when we think of them is because these amazing athletes are also the most amazingly friendly, curious horses we have ever met. Like 27 golden retriever dogs meeting you at the dog park, in the best possible way (look us up on our Backyard Green Films YouTube channel, if you don’t believe us). We hope you check out this exotic, friendly, fleet, beautiful, historic animal for yourselves. Hopefully you’ll be able to smile, too.