To understand where the Akhal Teke breed comes from, what it was conceived for and where recent and current practices in breeding, usage and training differ from the past, it is necessary to have a closer look at its historical background.

Why is that so? Thinking about these mechanisms may give us a deeper insight into the variety of factors which - when imprinting themselves on a breed over a long time - inevitably will create idiosyncrasies not found elsewhere in just the same combination.

We find so-called "special" horse breeds all over the world. "Special" in this instance means opposed to the generalized "allrounder" breeds, which are in the majority. If we look closely at their past, all of the special breeds share certain factors:

• based on a local, secluded gene pool/breed strain
• little or no infusion of outside blood for a long time
• uncommon or extreme climatic and geographic conditions
• important influence of natural selection
• singular or very specific usage
• rigorous human selection on this usage
• severe culling of inadequate horses
• high import of usage on survival or achievements of breeders
• in competitive settings a superiority of the special breed
• often a shortage of food and/or a restriction of population sizes

Whether you look at the history of the Icelandic horse, the Lippizan, the Shetland pony or the Camarque, you'll find at least 6-7 of these 10 factors in common among them, whereas the generalized breeds share completely different factors and historical make-up.

This history section will establish where the Akhal Teke meets these distinctions, show you that and why it can be considered a special, in fact an extremely specialised, breed and in consequence prepare the ground for the later discussion of recent selective procedures and appropriate or inappropriate usage.