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Akhal-Teke Ranch was established in 1998 on the Palouse Prairie near Moscow, Idaho. Climate and natural conditions on the Palouse are similar to those found in Turkmenistan, ancient homeland of the Akhal-Teke horses: cold winters, plentiful lush pasture in the spring, long dry and hor summers with mature but nutritious grass available through the late fall. Arid landscape with deep river canyons of Clearwater, Snake, and Salmon rivers, and to the east vast Rocky Mountains forests offer endless trails for riding through thousands of miles of pristine picturesque wilderness. Nearby Washington State University and University of Idaho offer first class veterinary care. Conditions at the Akhal-Teke Ranch are well suited for “heavenly” horses from the Kara Kum desert. Learn More Our goal at the Akhal-Teke Ranch is to help preserve Akhal-Teke horses. The graceful, intelligent, sensitive, fearless, and athletic golden horses of Central Asia were known and revered by the peoples of Asia for more than 5,000 years. Archeological excavations in Turkmenistan and in high elevation frozen graves in the Pazyryk kurgans uncovered remains of refined horses of Akhal-Teke type, buried with their noble masters at the time of the Scythians. Recent DNA studies at the University of Kentucky confirm Akhal-Teke as the earliest domesticated breed of horses. While the horses were well known and desired by many, they were never plentiful and were always ferociously guarded. After all, they were the best, the ultimate highest technology in warfare and survival, and no nation gives up voluntarily such treasure to potential enemies. Over the thousands of y! ears, many rulers desired to posses these “argamaks”. Chinese emperor Wu-ti’s second army expedition to Ferghana captured and brought back to China a few horses, after it came back empty handed from the first expedition. The Emperor then started a huge breeding program, and eventually his army easily defeated their enemies who were riding smaller inferior Mongolian horse. Chinese Han empire was expanded, and the Chinese wall helped protect the territory. Alexander’s famous horse Bucephalos was an Akhal-Teke, and so was Ghengis Khan’s mount, to name a few. After thousands of years of careful nurturing and prideful protection, when Akhal-Teke “Argamaks” gained for their masters well deserved fame on all continents of the Old World, the last century engulfed these famous “heavenly horses” and their owners in devastating political and economic upheaval. Turkmen lost their freedom, traditions, their way of life, and most tragically, they! lost ownership of their beloved horses. A century of neglect under the Russian and later Soviet rule, when ignorant apparatchiks ordered slaughter instead of genetic preservation, severely reduced the gene pool. Heroic efforts of a few dedicated horsemen during those dark times preserved what constitutes today’s Akhal-Teke. Efforts of breeders in Turkmenistan, Russia, and other countries of Europe, in North America, and in Australia now utilize modern scientific knowledge to protect and preserve this unique genetic treasure.  milena@akhaltekeranch.com |
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