ACraftIndependent states
Akhal-Teke horse
An ancient Turkmen breed called the "golden horse" for its metallic sheen; its breeding and decoration traditions are UNESCO heritage since 2023.
The Akhal-Teke is thought to be one of the oldest horse breeds. It takes its name from the Akhal oases on the northern slopes of the Kopet Dag and the Teke Turkmen who live there, and is famed for speed, endurance and intelligence.
With fine manes and a metallic sheen that earned them the name "golden horses", they are adapted to harsh desert heat and drought. There are about 6,600 Akhal-Tekes in the world, mostly in Turkmenistan.
The horse appears on Turkmenistan's coat of arms as a symbol of national pride, and in 2023 UNESCO inscribed the art of Akhal-Teke breeding and the traditions of horse decoration.
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Updated: October 3, 2026