ArmInfo – about the oldest horse breed
April 23, 2020 | 16:38 |3922
Beauty, grace, strength, speed and devotion are the epithets that can be listed endlessly when writing about the magnificent horses of the Akhalteke breed. Horses, which have become the symbol of Turkmenistan and are the source of pride for the country and the people, are world famous and recognizable. Their proud grace cannot leave indifferent anyone more or less versed in modern horse breeding. On the eve of the Holiday of the Turkmen Horse, the ArmInfo news agency publishes the article “Akhalteke horse - the national heritage of the Turkmen people” introducing the reader to the Akhalteke horse breeding history and the current state of the industry. The text is provided with slight abbreviations.
* * *
The Akhalteke racehorse is the national heritage of the Turkmen people. These horses are the oldest of domesticated horse breeds. The Turkmen horse was named “Akhalteke” in the late 19th century, based on the name of “Akhal” oasis. Over the millennia of its existence, the Akhalteke breed has not practically changed: in breeding work, all its exterior and inner unique features have been preserved, and present-day Akhalteke horses differ only by a more correct body build, and are larger. Now Akhalteke horses are used in classic equestrian sports, being model riding horses. The true restoration and wide-scale breeding of Akhalteke horses as the national heritage of Turkmenistan began only after the country’s independence. In its historical homeland, the Akhalteke horse was placed in the center of the State Emblem of Turkmenistan, forever becoming a symbol of freedom and independence. In 1991, the State Association “Turkmen atlary” (Turkmen horses) was established to coordinate the large-scale work of all specialists who devoted their lives to the restoration of the Akhalteke breed. Based on the centuries-old experience of many generations of Turkmen breeders, passing on their knowledge and secrets of breeding these unique horses from father to son, this work allowed restoring the number and thoroughbredness of the Akhalteke horse, restore the lost in the past pedigree traits and breeding traditions. Today, these rich traditions, displayed at the National Turkmen Horse Breeding Museum of the State Association “Turkmen Atlary”, are gaining new life thanks to the personal patronage of the head of state in these issues. In 2012, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Armenia translated into Armenian the illustrated album of the head of Turkmen state “Flight of Heavenly Racehorses”, the presentation of which took place during the official visit of Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the end of 2012.
The national Holiday of the Turkmen Horse is celebrated on a grand scale throughout the country every year on the last Sunday of April, as part of which an international scientific forum on development of horse breeding is held. It is noteworthy that every year scientists and horse breeders, business people and journalists from around the world, including Armenia, are gathering together to celebrate this holiday. Representatives of Armenian equestrian clubs, as well as artists and sculptors, featuring horses in their works, participated annually in these festive events with the assistance of the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Armenia.
It can also be proudly noted that the painting “Flight of the Heavenly Racehorse” by Honored Artist of Armenia Shmavon Shmavonyan was presented to the President of Turkmenistan by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia during the visit of the government delegation of the Republic of Armenia in May 2014.
In order to stimulate development of the domestic horse breeding industry, enhance the world fame of the Akhalteke horses, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov instituted a contest for the best representative of this legendary breed, a kind of the beauty show of unsurpassed horses that became an invaluable asset not only of the Turkmen people, but also of all human civilization. In addition, a building of the Turkmen State Circus having modern equipment has been completely reconstructed in Ashgabat. Turkmen trick riders, who delight with their daring, and beautiful horses, which never cease to amaze with their grace, strength and speed, will present many joyful and exciting emotions to the circus audience.
All conditions have been created in the country for the pure breeding of horses, and there is no doubt that the gene pool will be carefully preserved and passed on to grateful descendants as an invaluable spiritual wealth. As a symbol embodying the link between centuries and countless generations, aspirations and victories, labor and harmony...
2020 is the anniversary year for the International Akhalteke Horse Breeding Association, which was established ten years ago on the initiative of the President of Turkmenistan, and brought together world-famous scientists, horse breeders, lovers and connoisseurs of “heavenly” horses from different countries. Work of the organization with its headquarters in Ashgabat gave a powerful impetus to development of the pure horse breeding in the country and abroad. And within a historically short period of time, this international platform has shown its effectiveness and attractiveness for professionals engaged in keeping purebred Akhalteke horses, improving the breed, studying, maintaining and developing its outstanding pedigree and sporting qualities, becoming a bridge for cooperation between domestic and foreign horse breeders.
