Re: Akhal-Tekes

[GoferI@aol.com]

Well, I'll step out of lurker mode to comment on this topic. I just sold my 
last Akhal-Teke a few months ago; I'd had him for seven years. So, I feel 
capable of providing some information about the breed and characteristics. 

I've owned and/or competed five Akhal-Tekes (including those crossed with 
Thoroughbreds) in the upper levels of show jumping, dressage, eventing and 
even foxhunted a couple of them. While I am an endurance rider (I've ridden 
horses for the Kanavy family), I haven't actually taken an A-T in endurance. 
I wouldn't hesitate to do so, however. 

They are generally quite easy to work around and do seem to forge a special 
bond with their owner. They are athletic and very easy to train. Their 
stamina is quite impressive. We once took two A-T/TB crosses to a horse show 
and the temps climbed above 100 degrees. They definitely handled that heat 
better than the other horses around us and still had their ears pricked 
during the last class of the day. Their conformation does give them the 
appearance of a "fragile" horse, but in all the years I've been associated 
with these horses I've rarely seen a lameness that was inherent. They are 
very tough horses.

I highly recommend this breed for any sport, including endurance. And as a 
bonus, they have the smoothest gaits. You could sit to the trot forever on 
most of these horses, and the canter is ususally like sitting in your 
grandmother's well-worn rocking chair. 

If anyone would like to e-mail me questions about the breed, I'd be happy to 
try and answer them or point you in the right direction. As Steve Shaw said, 
the Cases (the first importers of these horses into the United States) and 
Allegra Steck in Virginia do have some wonderful Akhal-Tekes available for 
sale and at stud. 

Tricia Booker