The wind and the sun are caught in the manes...
It is perhaps difficult to imagine a man for whom horses would not cause inner trepidation. It is impossible to be indifferent to this large, strong and very smart animal. But when it comes to the Ahal-Tekeans, even experts find it difficult to restrain from delight.
“If you put horses of all breeds in one row, it will immediately seem that the Ahal-Teke is something else ...”, the Turkmen horse breeders-seyises are convinced. Spirit of the Wind? Materialized sunbeam? A revived dream of Turkmen warriors who need a not a pet, but a faithful ally in the desert?
Slender, thin-legged "heavenly horses" conquer with their grace. And on the eve of the National holiday of the Turkmen horse, they traditionally demonstrate their best qualities, competing for prizes and swimming in the love of the public.
An equestrian marathon was held today in the town of Novruz Yaylasy (60 km away from Ashgabat), which brought together horses of the best stables of Turkmenistan. Bled, black, red, gray, mulled, salted, Karak, brown - and all with a golden tint of Karakum sands - the horses eagerly explored the first section of the track, tried on competitors and communicating with jockeys.
It sounds amazing: "Horses and people communicate!" But you can’t say otherwise: in a tandem, both participants - the Ahal-Teke and his horseman - are equal partners and friends, there isn’t and cannot be subordinate between them, let alone rudeness or coldness.
“Turkmen yaly,” seyis smiles craftily in response to questions from lay people. - Like the Turkmen. Character!”
And this character does not even allow an experienced trainer to relax: horses respond to sharpness with sharpness, and neglect with neglect. It’s almost impossible to get them to do exercises that they don’t like.
But for the sake of a friend, the Ahal-Teke is capable of much. And the stories that a horse carried a wounded horseman (or even two) from the battlefield and delivered them to their native threshold through the sands of Karakum are not fairy tales. For that they are valued above all wealth.
Of course, today the methods of selecting the best horses have changed - they are tested not in battles, but in reviews, contests, races and marathons, which in their tension are almost as good as the old cavalry battles.
Interestingly, the winner of a horse marathon does not always come first to the finish line. After all, the main advantage of Ahal-Teke racers is endurance. And the best is determined by the heart rate monitor. After the race, the horses’ pulse is measured. The one who has restored the heart rate faster than anyone and is ready for new challenges becomes the first.
The names of the winners of the marathon, horse racing and beauty contest among Ahal-Teke horses will be announced on April 25 - on the eve of the festival of the Turkmen horse. They will receive many valuable prizes and adoration of the public, to which, to be honest, both people and horses are not indifferent.
Interesting fact: Today, the importation of “heavenly horses” into Turkmenistan and their export outside the country is strictly regulated by law and is controlled by the Council for Breeding Work with the Akhal-Teke breed of horses.
In antiquity, acquiring a good Ahal-Teke was also not easy - the seyises treated them as their own children, and did not want to part with their horses even for a lot of money.
But the grazed horses could be presented to someone as a gift as a sign of special respect. So, the Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II was presented with a bulan Melekush from Babarap. The royal grooms could not believe that the golden reflections on the horse's skin were not paint, and they rubbed it with shampoo for a long time. And after such a wash, the golden tides flared even brighter!
Altyn ASHIROVA
