The challenger from KaraKum Akhal-Tekes is Pekhimli, four years old, withers 162.5 cm (16 h) cannon bone 20 cm longest part of the mane that is still standing up is amazing 13 cm.
Let's see how Mualim measures up to this challenge.

1. Leonid03/26/2007 22:39:39
Homepage: http://www.shael-teke.com

This measure is realy surprize for me.

2. Jessica03/27/2007 07:45:12

Which measure, the mane, the height or the cannon bone?

3. Leonid03/27/2007 08:39:24
Homepage: http://www.shael-teke.com

Both.

4. maria03/27/2007 09:19:27

I am humbled! But does Pekhimli eat cabbage? THERE is a challenge for you!

5. Tabitha03/27/2007 10:26:55

And now a picture!
I've seen several photo's of AT's growing back manes that stand up now.. that's a nice "proof" that the ancient images/statues of what we assume AT's with upright manes could be correct, or isn't it? It would just have been AT's with once shaved manes.

6. Jessica03/27/2007 10:33:05

Leonid, Almaz' offspring have, with two exceptions, been taller than both their mother and father, he is a size improver eventhough he is small himself. The combinations Alma - Almaz are bigger than Alma- Osman eventhough Osman was much taller than Almaz.

Unfortunately info like this is not published by the stud book for all breeders to read and consider. To me it is ridiculous and proof of amateurism to give a stallion that was elite graded at the size of 155 cm (and recommended for breeding together with among others Piyada) retroactive class 1 due to his size when he repeatedly increase size and bone in his offspring, two traits that the breed management claim they want to improve in the breed.

But like most of us know, it is not the horses that are graded, it is the owners, that is why the Teke breed is what it is today.
My strong recommendation to every prospective buyer is to look and feel the horse, forget the paperwork from Russia, it will not help you in the real horse world where people have eyes to see with.

I am also convinced that the phenotype is as much affected by genes as by the environment.

7. Jessica03/27/2007 10:38:00

Maria, do not distract us with cabbage talk now
You challenged us and now we want to know how long Mualim's mane is in cm! Maybe you will feel better if I tell you that Astra who has a more typical Teke silky mane did not grow near as long upstanding mane as Pekhimli does.

8. ANNE-MARIE03/27/2007 11:16:49
Homepage: http://FREEDOMRUNFARM.COM

If you are up to another contestant I will measure Salam's mane tonight. I was hoping for it to grow and lay down so I could braid it for dressage, but now I am begining to think genetics will have it standing at attention instead. At least all my mares manes are laying flat after growing all winter.

9. Jessica03/27/2007 12:17:14

Yes, this challenge is open to every Teke in the world!
Please add measurements tonight. Fortunately with Pekhimli her mane can be braided at this point.

10. Jessica03/27/2007 12:18:45

Tabitha, good point with the standing manes and ancient art of Teke ancestors!

11. Darya03/27/2007 16:10:30
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

I was hoping to let Dominik's mane grow and fall, but after a while gave up and shaved it off cos he looked like a fjord. I did not measure it, but it must have been around 10cm. Oinam's fell very quickly, but hers is very sparse and feels almost like human hair, very fine and silky.

12. Tabitha03/28/2007 04:58:02

Yes, well.. after you mentioned these high manes I started to think about that. That's something that always puzzled me.
That's why pictures of AT's with 'Fjord' manes would be really nice to have so you can compare the nowadays Teke with those ancient images.
At the Akhalt-Service website there's a picture of their stallion Monument (under Sport horses) with such manes. Now a picture of Pekhimli, Salam and Mualim (too bad Dominik is already shaved again) and you would have a nice number of different AT's to compare.

13. maria03/28/2007 08:23:49

I am pulling out of the contest: the competition is too stiff!

14. Jessica03/28/2007 09:34:22

Darya, next time you let the mane grow out, measure it and let us know how tall it grows!
Tabitha, I don't know about the pictures of Pekhimli with fjord mane, it is far from flattering. We'll see.
Maria, aren't we punny! Well, there will be other challenges that maybe you and cream puff can win

15. Darya03/28/2007 16:06:09
Homepage: http://www.avatstud.com

I might attempt long mane again next winter, have to look pretty for the shows so he will continue to have his mane cut for summer. Question: is the mane that is a bit to one side, but still not flat down, counts? His was starting to fall, but was still a long way and I gave up, specially after a farrier called him a pony. Last time farrier came he said: oh, you've had your hair cut, young man!

16. Anne-Marie03/28/2007 20:12:00
Homepage: http://freedomrunfarm.com

Ok, Salam's mane is 11cm but shows no sign of a lean. I will work on the picture part but I am a little busy getting ready to leave for a cruise this weekend, picture may have to waite untill I get back on April 9th. I say we continue the contest untill the first mane falls to the side, are you up to the challange Jessica?

17. Jessica03/29/2007 14:28:42

Anne-Marie, I'll have to pull Peggy out of the challenge on Friday when she has to be braided. I will take last measurement right before she is braided but I doubt it will have grown anything the last few days. So now you have the chance to win!
The reason we're pulling out is that the mane probably will come down a little bit to the side after she has been braided, it normally does.
Would the mane, against all odds bounce back to be erect again once the braids have been removed I hope I can re-enter the challenge.

18. maria03/30/2007 07:25:52

Mualim's uncompetitive mane can be seen on Darya's website: http://www.avatstud.com/Mualim.html I think it shows my lack of hairdressing skills more than anything... Mualim's appearance is hardly enhanced by a sticky mane. As far as AT type goes, he can be described as "round" more than "long", he really benefits from a clean-shaven look.