The Akhal-Teke Ranch

NEWSLETTER Volume 3, Number 2, February 2006

One of the things I enjoy about my connection to horses and the horse world is that it sometimes brings me into contact with people from different parts of the world, different cultures, and vastly different experiences with horses. I’ve spent wonderful evenings talking with a veterinarian from Morocco about his experiences growing up with the Barb horses of his country, with a friend from Britain sharing our experiences with native Welsh ponies, and recently with a neighbor, Milena Stozek, who is breeding Akhal-Tekes.

Lida (our designer here at womentalkhorses.com) introduced me to her friend Milena, both of them are from the Czech Republic, but now make the Palouse area of northern Idaho home. And so it was that I found myself visiting with Milena, Lida, and some of the most stunning horses I’ve ever seen. Akhal-Teke’s, I must say, have presence!

Here’s what Milena has to say about her horses and her ranch:

“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 years, 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 the smaller Mongolian horse. The Chinese Han empire was expanded, and the Chinese wall helped protect the territory. Alexander’s famous horse Bucephalos was an Akhal-Teke, as was Ghengis Khan’s mount, to name but 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. The people of 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.

At the Akhal-Teke Ranch, we breed pure-bred Akhal-Teke horses of several blood lines. We feel privileged that we can play a small part in the effort to preserve this unique ancient breed of horses, and in doing so we also enjoy what many monarchs were denied: Akhal-Teke’s unique personality, unsurpassed athletic ability, fluid gates, strong devotion to their people, and incredible beauty and affection.”

While family and work brought Milena to Idaho, there were other factors that drew her to the region: “Akhal-Teke Ranch was established in 1998 on the Palouse Prairie near Moscow, Idaho, “she told us. “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 hot 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.”

For more information and some beautiful photographs of the Akhal-Tekes see Milena’s website at www.akhaltekeranch.com

Anna Banks, Editor womentalkhorses.com
editor@womentalkhorses.com
Moon Hill Ranch, Idaho