Akhal Teke
Akhal-Teke horse
Akhal-Teke (or Ahal teke) is a famous horse breed admired for its speed, intelligence and strength in long hikes and is also the pride of all Turkmen. Akhal Teke horses have been honored in Turkmen’s traditional songs, proverbs and poems and their intellect, wisdom and devotion to human beings are all legendary. One Turkmen proverb says, “When you get up in the morning you must greet your father and your horse”. The Akhal-Teke horses are relatively tall and slender in shape, with a long, lean body and a narrow, refined head and the specific metallic sheen of their coat. Its legs are also long and slender and it has a long, flowing tail.
This remarkable breed of horses has a nearly 3000-year history and is believed being one of the most ancient horse breeds. These so-called “golden horses” are adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the Central Asian deserts. The Akhal Teke breed was first developed in the Kara Kum Desert, Turkmenistan, which is a rocky and sandy area surrounded by mountains that played a vital role in maintaining the purity of the breed. The Turkmen Kurds first utilized horses for warfare and then started breeding and valued them for their speed and quickness. The story of this horse has spread as a word of mouth by the Turkmen tribes and there are no written records to prove it. It is believed that Alexander the Macedonian’s (Alexander the Great) horse, Bucephalus, was of the Akhal-Teke breed. Turkmen still use their traditional way of breeding these horses and also decorate them for the cultural events. This horse breeding and decorating culture has recently been awarded the status of UNESCO intangible heritage.
After the Bolshevik Revolution, the Akhal Teke horses experienced a tough period in their history. During collectivization efforts, all Akhal Teke horses were registered with the new Soviet government and private ownership of horses was banned. By the end of the 20th century, this ancient and unique horse breed was in danger of extinction. Today there are about 6600 Akhal-Tekes in the world, mainly in Turkmenistan, Russia and also throughout Europe and North America.
The Akhal Teke breed got its name from the Russian general Kuropatkin, who admired the horses during the battle with the Turkmen and after the war called them Akhal-Teke. The general took the name from the Teke tribe inhabiting the Ahal oasis, the southern part of the Aral-Caspian along the north slope of the Kopet Dag mountains. Ahal Teke horses became one of the most striking models of talent and mastery of the Turkmen people. Perhaps, therefore Turkmen are very proud of their horses.
The origin of Akhal Teke horses stretches back to ancient times. Chinese called them “Heavenly horses” or Divine Horses. Ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese and Arab chronicles mention the desires to obtain one of these superior horses, including the chronicles of King Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great and various Chinese emperors and Arab rulers.
Turkmen horse-breeders had a particular approach to their horses. Each Turkmen kept one horse and fed them grains of food that contained a mixture of alfalfa, barley and mutton fat. Historians noted that “The Turkmen do not only nourish gently their horses but also do it with passion. To treat a horse badly was considered a crime among them. The whole tribe would scorn a person committing such a sin.” For this reason, of all Central Asian peoples, Turkmen are the only ones who never slaughter a horse for its meat or drink mare’s milk.
The Akhal Teke is a great sport horse and perfect in marathon racing; dressage, breaking in and flat race conquer. In 1935, thirty Turkmen riders with their horses made a pretty long trek and covered 4300 km from Ashgabat to Moscow in 84 days. All horses successfully survived the difficulties of this trek, the major part of which runs through the Karakum and other desert terrains.
Shortly afterward the Akhal Teke horse Zenith set a record by covering 300 km in 19 hours. The Akhal Teke has therefore demonstrated itself as a horse of endurance and if necessary the Ahal Teke can stay without food and water for much longer than other horses and can easily endure desert terrible heat.
Akhal Teke Culture in Turkmenistan
Few nations celebrate a horse as ardently as Turkmenistan does the Akhal-Teke. Beyond practical uses, these horses are enveloped in layers of cultural meaning, symbolism, and pride. They are national icons, embodiments of heritage, and even spiritual symbols to the Turkmen people. Even the National Symbol of Turkmenistan, the state coat of arms has the Akhal-Teke horse at its center. Also, every official document and government building carries an image of an Akhal-Teke, making the horse the face of the country. The currency of Turkmenistan has also honored the breed as Akhal-Tekes appear on the local Manat banknotes
Turkmen culture, being traditionally nomadic, has a rich oral literature in which horses feature as beloved characters. Traditional songs, epic poems, and proverbs extol the virtues of the Akhal-Teke. One famous Turkmen proverb advises: “When you get up in the morning you must greet your father and your horse.” This saying encapsulates the horse’s status as a member of the family, ranked just after one’s parents in the list of those deserving respect each day. Folk tales tell of horses that save heroes, find their way home across vast deserts, or choose their riders by nuzzling a newborn child. The Akhal-Teke’s intellect and loyalty are legendary and it’s often mentioned that these horses can recognize an enemy and will never allow a stranger to mount them.
Moreover, Akhal Teke horses appear in Turkmen decorative arts such as in carpet motifs, jewelry, and carvings. Classic Turkmen carpets sometimes incorporate stylized horse and rider figures, or the gul (medallion) patterns may represent the qualities of a good horse such as speed or agility. The art of horse decoration itself is a treasured tradition where craftswomen create elaborate silver ornaments, tassels, and embroidered fabrics to adorn Akhal-Tekes on festive occasions. These could include forehead pendants, breastplates, and woven reins which not only beautify the animal but also are believed to provide protection.
While Turkmenistan is a Muslim-majority country, pre-Islamic spiritual reverence for the horse still persists. In Turkmen lore, the horse is a gift from God, and caring for a horse is almost a sacred duty. Mistreating a horse is considered a grievous sin that could bring misfortune. This belief is reflected in the communal attitude and if someone is seen abusing a horse, the entire community shames the individual, sometimes to the extent of social ostracism. By contrast, exceptional horses are seen as having “devine wind” (tängri yeli) in them which could be seen as an almost spiritual force. Some elder breeders quietly recite prayers or verses when a prized foal is born, similar to how one would bless a child.
The taboo against eating horse meat in Turkmenistan differentiates the country’s culture from some of neighboring nations that have horse meat or fermented mare’s milk as part of their diet, Turkmen absolutely abstain from it and the very idea of slaughtering an Akhal-Teke for food is morally repugnant in Turkmen society and equated with cannibalism. This taboo is a deep cultural marker distinguishing Turkmen from other Central Asian peoples, and it stems from the intense emotional bond and respect for the horse.
Akhal Teke coat
The shimmering coat of the Akhal Teke horse is due to the unique structure of its hair. The opaque core of the hair is narrower and, in some cases, even absent. This allows light to pass through the hair and refract, creating a distinctive metallic sheen. This effect gives the Akhal Teke its characteristic shimmering, golden appearance.
Not every Akhal Teke horse has this gene, so while many exhibit this beautiful trait, some may have a more typical-looking coat 1. The breed’s coat colors can vary widely, including bay, chestnut, black, gray, palomino, and others, with the shimmering effect making darker colors like black appear almost blue or even purple.
Riding Akhal Teke horse
As Akhal Teke have a smooth, gliding trot and a ground-covering gallop, it makes the riding experience quite different from that of an ordinary horse. They are also known for their endurance and ability to adapt to harsh climates, which makes them ideal for long rides in the desert or other barren areas. These horses are known for their intelligence and strong bond with their riders. They can be quite interactive and may seek out their “person” even in a herd.
Where tourists can see & ride Akhal Teke in Turkmenistan
For travelers, encountering the fabled Akhal-Teke horse in its homeland can be a highlight of Turkmenistan visit. Although Turkmenistan tightly controls tourism, it does welcome visitors to see and ride Akhal Teke under guided conditions. In Ashgabat, you can visit the main hippodrome (equestrian complex) on weekends (spring and autumn are the seasons) or during National Horse Day in April to watch Akhal-Teke races and shows. The modern facility hosts weekly races in season and an annual festival where foreigners are welcome as spectators. It is also possible to visit equestrian clubs in or near Ashgabat. Here visitors can watch trainers put horses through their paces, see the horses’ coloration up close and feed or pet the calmer horses.
The easiest way to ride Akhal Teke is in Gökdepe, about 50–60 km from Ashgabat, where a farm famous for its Akhal-Teke studs is located. It is possible to have a day trip to a horse farm here, including stable visits to see dozens of Akhal-Tekes, meeting the Turkmen breeders, and optional riding sessions for visitors. You can also saddle up for an hour or more for a guided ride around the farm’s grounds.
For adventurous travelers who already have riding experience, we can arrange multi-day horseback treks on Akhal-Tekes through the Karakum desert and Kopet-Dag foothills. Experienced guides will lead you deep into desert landscapes, staying in camps or villages at night. These treks (ranging 1–2 days up to over a week) offer an immersive way to experience the endurance of the breed firsthand. Traditional gear and methods are used, providing cultural insights along the journey.
In scenic mountain villages like Nohur in western Turkmenistan, local guides can offer short rides on Akhal-Tekes through rugged terrain. While not as formal as desert treks, these landscapes allow showcasing the horse’s agility on mountain paths. Riders can see rural life (orchards, flocks, silk road ruins) from horseback.
If you are interested, we are happy to organize an Akhal Teke riding experience as a part of our Turkmenistan Tours or Central Asia Tours.
See Ahal Teke horse in Turkmenistan
Page updated 25.8.2025