The Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan is mostly desert, sparsely populated and contains the 4th largest reserve of natural gas on the planet. It’s also home to one of the world’s oldest, rarest, most stunningly beautiful horse breeds: the Akhal-Teke.

The Akhal-Teke was developed centuries ago to meet the demands of Turkmenistan’s vast, harsh landscape and largely nomadic population. Thus, the breed possesses a desirable blend of speed and endurance to go along with its signature metallic coat, ranging from silver to gold. Even today, the breed holds a special place of reverence in Turkmenistan’s culture.

You want one, don’t you? Should you happen to land one of these rare beauties, beware: In Turkmenistan it is illegal to change an Akhal-Teke’s name during its lifetime, and each horse must remain true to the moniker recorded at birth in the national studbook.

 

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