Turkmen Racing Horse Festival
Observing annually in Turkmenistan on April 25th, the Turkmen Racing Horse Festival is a holiday that’s observed on Turkmen Horse Day and celebrates a particular horse breed. This horse breed is known as the Akhal-Teke and it’s a horse breed that’s one of the oldest horse breeds in the world and one that’s native to Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan (Observance)It’s a horse that’s known for its speed, intelligence, and endurance. Because of their shiny coat, these horses have been called Golden Horses and these horses can be found on the flag of Turkmenistan. It’s no wonder this holiday is an important one in that country.
Facts About The Akhal-Teke
People who aren’t exactly familiar with horses may have never heard of the Akhal-Teke, so we thought that we’d take the opportunity to talk a little bit about these amazing horses. This is one of the rarest horse breeds in the world, and they’re known for their strength and endurance, so they’re definitely animals that most people are going to want to learn more about. So let’s take a few moments and talk about these majestic creatures.
- There are less than 7,000 Akhal-Teke horses left in the world and they’re on the Conservancy’s Conservation Priority List.
- They are the national horse of Turkmenistan.
- The hair of these horses is extremely fine, and that’s why they have a metallic sheen to them.
- Akhal-Teke has a smoother trot than other horses due to their unusual gait.
- They are one of the oldest breeds in the world and their lineage can be traced back to the first domesticated horses.
- In 1885, Russia established an Akahl-Teke registry to introduce the breed to the rest of the world.
- A top-tier Akhal-Teke can sell for as much as $100,000 USD.
Observing Turkmen Racing Horse Festival In Turkmenistan
This holiday is observed all throughout Turkmenistan with equestrian exhibitions, fairs, and racing competitions. Although this holiday is an important holiday in that country, it’s not a public holiday, so schools and businesses operate according to their normal schedules.
Turkmenistan (Observance)
