Last Updated on March 1, 2022 by Allison Price
Turkmene, also known as the Turkoman Horse, is an extinct breed of horse. This is an Oriental horse bred from steppers in a desert called Turkoman. Turkoman was a breeder of a variety of horses. Many breeds were influenced by it, including the AkhalTeke Horse, Thoroughbred Horse, Yomud, Goklan and Nokhorli.
Here is a brief overview of the Turkoman Horse breed, and some interesting facts.
Turkoman Horse History
The Turkoman Horse, or Turkmene, was an Oriental horse that came from Central Asia and was created by ancient breeders. Turkoman Horses were kept semi-wild. The horses had to find shelter and food for themselves. Predators and severe weather were not an option for animals.
To start training, breeders used to take 6-month-old colts (young male horses). Turkoman Horses were trained to use the halter and leading lines by their owners. The horse was able to be ridden soon after 8 months. Young Turkoman Horses could be handled by a lightweight rider.
The Turkoman was originally bred for horse racing. The horse was ready to race at the age of one. These horses were known for their high temperament and endurance . These characteristics are great for horses racing.
Turkmen horses had special nutrition. The horse was fed a high-protein diet. It contained barley, chicken fat, raisins and alfalfa.Arabian Horse
Turkoman vs Arabian Horse
It is possible that the Turkoman Horse and the Arabian Horse may share a common pedigree. However, the debates remain open. Horsemen believed that the pure Arabian breed was kept intact by keeping it pure. It is possible that the Turkmen horse was kept pure because of the same reason.
Both Oriental horse breeds shared a common history. Turkoman stallions were brought by the Caliph to Baghdad. These stallions were most likely to have been bred with Arabian mares. The Arabian’s genetic strain has been observed since the 17th century. This could have been due to the Turkoman Horses.Thoroughbred
Turkoman vs Thoroughbred
Turkoman Horses had a profound influence on many horse breeds, including the English Thoroughbred. Byerley Turk, a stallion, was one of the founding fathers of racing Thoroughbreds. It is believed that it has a connection to the Turkoman Horse.
Some horsemen, however, are opposed to this theory. According to Weatherby’s General Stud Book, the records show that Turks horses were recorded. These horses were thought to be Arabians and not Turkomen. These horses were Turks as they were prized from the Turkey-Crimea war. Some sources claim that these Turks are related to Turkoman horses.
In the 19th century, soldiers brought the Turkoman to England. Baker Pasha kept the well-known stallion Merv. Merv was highly sought after, as well as his price. He did not cover mares in England. Merv was sold to Ireland in 1877.
What happened to the Turkoman Horse?
In the early 18th Century, the Turkoman Horse was extinct. The horse was not included in breeding. The population fell as a result. The Turkoman Horse did however develop other horse breeds. These included the well-known Thoroughbred racing horses, and the AkhalTeke breed.
According to some sources, the Turkoman Horse is still alive. It is kept in small herds throughout Iran. The horse is large and strong enough to support an armed soldier. However, Akhal-Tekes of Pakistan have a lighter build.Akhal-Teke
Turkoman Horse Characteristics
The Turkoman horse was beloved for its endurance and stamina . Their body was slim and they had fine conformation. It was considered one of the most tough horses in the world.
The head was well-proportioned. The profile was straight and the neck was long. It had large shoulders that dropped to the ground. The chest was large. The back was broad, and the quarters sloped. The belly was pulled up. The legs were muscular and long. The joints were large. The hooves were strong but small.
The Turkoman horse’s average height was 15 to 16. Common coat colors were black, grey, chestnut, bay, and chestnut.
The Turkoman’s temperament is a favorite of riders. The horse was intelligent and spirited . It was brave and eager to work. Turkomen were often used to race and ride.
Modern Descendants from the Turkoman Horse
Akhal-Teke
Turkmenistan, Central Asia is where Akhal-Teke horses came from. The Akhal-Tekes stand out for their speed and endurance . Their coat is metallic sheen. These animals are often called Golden Horses due to their distinctive coat color. The breed is not only spread in its home country, but also throughout North America and Europe.
The Akhal-Teke horse is the oldest. It was bred in the Kopet Dag mountains by a tribe Turkmens. Akhal-Teke horses were used in raiding and fighting. It served as a war horse against the Russian Empire.
In 1932, the Russians shut down the Akhal-Teke studbook. The Soviet Union printed the studbook in 1941.
Characteristics
The height of an Akhal-Teke Horse is between 14 and 16 hands high. On average, the weight of an Akhal-Teke Horse is between 900 and 1,000 pounds.
The profile of the head is straight and refined. The ears are large with almond-shaped eyes. The neck is straight with sloping shoulders. The skin is thin. The tail and mane are thin. The back is muscular and long. The croup is flat and long.
The buckskin and palomino colors of Akhal-Teke horses make them easy to identify. They can also be available in grey, bay, chestnut and chestnut.
The AkhalTeke is easy to keep. The horse was raised in mountains and must have survived on very little food. The breed can survive in extreme conditions. The Akhal-Teke is used in dressage, show jumping and racing.
Thoroughbred
Racing enthusiasts love the Thoroughbred. This horse is well-known for its grace and speed . It is used for jumping, eventing, and horse racing. This breed was developed in England and is very popular in America.
These horses are warm-blooded and are beloved for their speed, agility, and intelligence. It was first bred in England during the 17th century. Native mares were covered with Oriental Stallions, including the Turkoman Horse.
The breeding of Thoroughbreds influenced other breeds. These include the American Standardbred and Quarter Horse as well as Anglo-Arabian horses. Because of their high performance, Thoroughbreds can be crossbred with warmblood horses.
Characteristics
The 15.2 to 17-hand high Thoroughbred horse is . 1,000 pound is the average weight.
The horse’s head is well-chiseled. The neck is elegant and long. The body is slim and short. The chest is large and deep. The backquarters are also deep. The coat is soft and smooth. The legs are strong and long, yet lean.
Common colors are grey, black, chestnut and brown. Rare are the white Thoroughbred horses, which include palomino, roan and white Thoroughbreds. White markings may be visible on the lower limbs and face. The breed registry does not allow pinto horses.
Turkoman Horse Breeds Explained
The foundation of modern horse breeds was the Turkoman Horse, or Turkmene. These horses are Akhal-Teke or English Thoroughbred horses. This breed is known for its extraordinary stamina, and stunning appearance.
Today, the Turkoman is extinct. Some people believe that the Akhal-Teke may be the same breed. Turkoman nevertheless brought the best race horses to the rest of the world.
