People Are Calling This Super Rare Creature The “World’s Most Beautiful Horse”
When you think you’ve seen it all, Mother Nature springs yet another surprise with the Akhal Teke, one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world!
Originally from Turkmenistan, these beautiful animals are known for their shining, almost metallic coats. And just so you know, the one that looks almost golden with white mane and tail is called a palomino horse.
Scientists claim that due to the horses’ genetics, their amazing coats reflect and refract light, just as metal would. This is basically because the hairs of these beautiful horses are hollow, which creates a sort of a prism for light to travel through. And though it looks the most stunning on lighter horse colors, this breed comes in all variations possible.
If this wasn’t enough, the Akhal Teke is an incredibly athletic breed, making it good for sports and especially long endurance rides. The most accomplished Akhal Teke was undoubtedly the jet black stallion Absent – the winner of dressage discipline competition in the Olympic Games in 1960.
With less than 5.000 of these most beautiful horses in existence, it’s little wonder that the Chinese refer to them as “horses from heaven.” And if you wanted to purchase one straight from their homeland of Turkmenistan, we have some sad news for you – exporting Akhal Teke horses out of the country might grant you a death penalty.
(h/t: honesttopaws)
Meet Akhal Teke, one of the most beautiful horse breeds in the world!
Image credits: Pascal Mouawad
Originally from Turkmenistan, these majestic creatures are known for their shining coats
Image credits: Pascal Mouawad
Scientists claim that due to the horses’ genetics, their amazing coats reflect and retract light
Image credits: Wikipedia
If this wasn’t enough, the Akhal Teke is an incredibly athletic breed, making it good for sports
Image credits: Unknown
There are only 1,250 of these horses in existence
Image credits: Palana
So it’s little wonder that the Chinese refer to them as “horses from heaven”
Image credits: Burak CALISKAN
45Kviews
Share on FacebookBeautiful horses. but that should be "reflect and refract", not "retract".
The horse is beautiful. I think you meant that its coat refracts light though, not retracts light?
Saw one of them from a distance, and the photos don't do them justice.
Elizabeth, you need to check your facts. First of all, Akhal Teke horses come in a lot of colors, not just champagne. Second, not just Akhal Teke horses come in champagne color as 2 of thr pictures here (the ones where mane is present) are not Akhal Teke horses.
You are right Tamara !The Olimpic winner in Rome (1960) with the russian rider Filatov was dark browncolour very common in Akhal teke.
Load More Replies...The fourth picture is not an Akhal Teke, it is a Lusitano stallion. His name is Caetano, and he is owned by Holly Zech in California.
Hi Sue. I don't see the pic of Caetano you are referring to in this post...but yes somebody has tagged him as an Akhal Teke instead of his correct beeed, Lusitano just because of his inordinate shine. Otherwise his build is NOTHING like a Teke...makes me mad...
Load More Replies...Breathtakingly beautiful. Don't know anything about them other than that!
That's insane, I've never seen anything living that shiny in my life.
Sadly my nose can get that shiny! Though definitely not as beautiful.
Load More Replies...Okay, Akhal-Tekes aren't incredibly rare. I know three of them (including a Welsh-Akhal-Teke hybrid) personally. Why are there only champagne ones photographed here? The most common Akhal-Teke color is bay.
The "1250" is horse sh*t. There are around 6600 Akhal Tekes presently. And more being bred every day.
Oh my gosh I lone Akhal Teke horses, it's my dream to ride one someday, they are rare but their coats are amazing
Beautiful horses. but that should be "reflect and refract", not "retract".
The horse is beautiful. I think you meant that its coat refracts light though, not retracts light?
Saw one of them from a distance, and the photos don't do them justice.
Elizabeth, you need to check your facts. First of all, Akhal Teke horses come in a lot of colors, not just champagne. Second, not just Akhal Teke horses come in champagne color as 2 of thr pictures here (the ones where mane is present) are not Akhal Teke horses.
You are right Tamara !The Olimpic winner in Rome (1960) with the russian rider Filatov was dark browncolour very common in Akhal teke.
Load More Replies...The fourth picture is not an Akhal Teke, it is a Lusitano stallion. His name is Caetano, and he is owned by Holly Zech in California.
Hi Sue. I don't see the pic of Caetano you are referring to in this post...but yes somebody has tagged him as an Akhal Teke instead of his correct beeed, Lusitano just because of his inordinate shine. Otherwise his build is NOTHING like a Teke...makes me mad...
Load More Replies...Breathtakingly beautiful. Don't know anything about them other than that!
That's insane, I've never seen anything living that shiny in my life.
Sadly my nose can get that shiny! Though definitely not as beautiful.
Load More Replies...Okay, Akhal-Tekes aren't incredibly rare. I know three of them (including a Welsh-Akhal-Teke hybrid) personally. Why are there only champagne ones photographed here? The most common Akhal-Teke color is bay.
The "1250" is horse sh*t. There are around 6600 Akhal Tekes presently. And more being bred every day.
Oh my gosh I lone Akhal Teke horses, it's my dream to ride one someday, they are rare but their coats are amazing
271
31