1. mmunday@mica.edu11/25/2005 16:10:25

I was visiting Louise Firouz in Iran this past October at the same time that Ali Golshan arrived to deliver a batch of the books to her, and received a copy. I love the book. I know most of the horses in it and have been priviledged to visit Turkmen Sahra three times so far. I believe it sets the record straight on some misconceptions about bloodlines and quite nicely explains the distinctions among Akhal-tekke and Yamoud variations while being Turkmen or Turkoman horses overall. Unfortunately the English translation could have used a better proofreader as letters are missing from words and the occasional random spacing make some words not right. For an English speaker this is no problem. For anyone translating to another language this will be a problem. The Farsi part is tight of course. It is a treasure of old photographs as well as showcasing the most amazing horses in the world right now. Go there; see them; you'll know what I mean. I am trying to order 8 more copies and have hit dead ends so far. If you find a source, please let me know.

2. Jessica 01/13/2006 15:23:18

Thank you for the input. As far as I know most Iranian horses of Turkmen origin has sadly been crossed out with TB:s for speed. I do not blame the Turkmen lovers of fast race horses to do that. At the same time I am ever so grateful for the fact that we have the Russian stud book to keep track of the origins of the modern Akhal-Teke, only pure, remaining breed of the ancient Turkmen horse.

3. Zoran Rabljenovic11/28/2006 02:47:07

Hallo,

I am an hobby rider who is privileged to train an young Akhal-teke mare. She's 5 years old, living in a herd on mountain till 8 months ago. First time ridden this summer, and she has started her training under rider a month ago.

I don't own her, I was recommended to her owner as a rider by a friend (who breeds Akhal-tekes for more than 10 years, I have used to ride an Akhal-teke mare that belongs to him), since the owner needed someone to help him. I'm training the mare on picture and the owner another one.

We have limited manage (around 10 m in diameter), and we ride them there 2 times per week for 20-30 minutes, and on weekend we hack them out - walking and trotting, 30-60 minutes.

Generally we are pleased with them, but not every time. For example, sometimes on a hack they are relaxed, willing to move, with long rhythmic strides. But sometimes they are stubborn and unwilling to move, almost as a mule..

On days when we don't ride them, 2 times per week they are lunged, and 2 days in a week they don't do any training.

We have plans to use them for trekking, and perhaps endurance and dressage.

Do you have some suggestions on our training routine, how to handle stubbornness (when they are unwilling to move, usually on a hack), and what would be right amount of hay and oats (I have got recommendations that 3 kg of oats should be enough)?

Best Regards,
Zoran Rabljenović

PS. I live in Croatia, where it can be found around 15 Akhal-tekes. Some informations about first breeder in Croatia you can find on link:

http://www.jahanje-voloder.hr/uzgoj/index.html