This I think is because a thin horse looks lean and tucked up. And many expect this from the Tekes.

To me and to many others those horses do not look athletic but underfed, underdeveloped and fragile. Add underweight to long weak loin and very low set, short or thin neck and a bad top line and the horse is not beautiful anymore.

I wish that those breeders/sellers that offer horses in this condition would not be encouraged, it is painful even for a Teke to be starved.
Nobility, elegance, type, athletism in our breed is not starved animals, I would compare it to the present debate on to thin photomodels, it is a sick ideal of a look. At least the photomodels have a choice, the starved Tekes have not.
I did not see this kind of Tekes 10 years ago, the ones that were lean were the ones that was on the race track, fed, trained and muscled.

Showing and approving this kind of horse keeping for a fashion fad is really bad horsemanship and will damage the breed. Is this what we want the breed to be known for now? Good for nothing models?

Feed your horses!

It is difficult to judge a Teke with flash factor that is young and underfed, the horse will look like it has much longer legs than it actually has and completely change the looks when and if it gets fed to do a job.

Buying and judgeing Tekes below the age of three is difficult as the body is changing so much in the first three years of the horses' life, one thing is for shure though that if the horse has been starved and kept closed into a stall to get a mean lean look, you cannot expect much athletism from the animal.

The starvation is not an expression of the genotype only for cruelty in order to make another 100 dollars.

1. Jessica D.05/09/2007 14:58:56

I totally agree with you about this. I was at the KHP this past weekend to watch a client I am doing some photography for compete in a Gypsy Vanner show that was going on (That's what they breed). I went to watch the Parade of Breeds and they had a Teke mare there. When it was over and people were allowed to come over to pet the horses and ask questions etc. I couldnt help but over-hear a lady make a comment about the mare being heavier than other Tekes (the mare was not fat by any means but just fit and nice looking)....I guess she just had this idea that Tekes are usually skinny looking and are supposed to be that way...and this goes along with the "public opinion" of outsiders to the breed. If all they see is thin, poorly made horses, then this is what they think Tekes are.

I was also having a discussion with someone awhile back about what breeds we like best. I mentioned the Teke, and they responded that they dont like them bc they all look deformed to her. Of course this would be the opinion of someone who has only been presented with mediocre horses.

Pics of the Teke mare at the KHP this weekend:
http://drakephotos.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=4481278&IID=156472699&Page=2

2. Jessica05/09/2007 15:27:34

What wrong has the Tekes done to Kentucky Horse Park, why this punishment??!! I might ask.
I have seen anoother picture of a Teke they used to have there on display, I do not know if it is the same horse but the picture I saw several years ago was of an obese, coarse horse that totally lacked elegance or nobility.
This horse is not balanced and actually look painful to ride, she is to heavy on her front legs, I saw some other Tekes like that also when I went to the breed parade last September.
Bad fault in the breed, they should be up and light in the front.
Easy to ride in a light, balanced form.
That's so amazing in Tekes like Azan with a long and strong back, he elevates his front in the most impressive way when he moves.
Everyone should see this stallion in action. Amazing.
Back to KHP, why does the rider look like a Swedish Easter Witch?
If this was my first impression of the breed I would not bother to learn how to spell the name!
Shame on KHP! This is the oldest noble breed in the world, do not treat it like trash.

3. Jessica D.05/09/2007 15:40:51

I think the rider is supposed to look like she is from china. I would prefer to see the horse dressed in more traditional Turkmene attire... but who am I?

4. Jessica05/09/2007 15:52:46

Well, now KHP has offended China to! The Chinese dress beautifully, not like a kid that has ventured in grandma's wardrobe! However, I cannot still understand why the have a Chinese theme with the Teke.
I ask myself, what is KHP? I am disappointed in their lack of quality and accuracy when they present horse breeds and people from other cultures.
Thank you for sharing this experience Jessica!

5. Jessica D.05/09/2007 15:56:46

lol...no problem! ;)

Off the topic...but any info on what happend to Pieter? I visited their website (his owners) and it appears he has died? I am really sad if that is true....I rather liked him.

6. Jessica05/09/2007 16:08:40

Anne-Marie Rasch sent a message a few weeks ago on this blog that Pieter had died, she didn't tell us how he died though. Sad news, really.
No mares to cover tonight, in bad pain since training the Hanoverian last night, now I have to trim one of our standard poodles. He name is Bumble Bee and she should have been trimmed several weeks ago.
Many hours work ahead....Tekes are better!

7. Kerri-Jo Stewart05/09/2007 21:54:31
Homepage: http://Akhal-Teke.ca

Well, some of us try to put weight on these horses, lol!!

Darginka is finally in a big pasture full of grass and hopefully that will do the trick. I put up some photos of her new home. There was so much grass we had to mow parts down for the horses!

Now just for both of us to get in shape!!

8. Heather05/10/2007 10:16:55

Jessica D.,
If you don't mind me asking, what is the name of the Gypsy Vanner breeder? I wouldn't mind looking at their website if they have one. My mother is a vanner fan (she's Sicilian-Romani), but sometimes I have difficulty finding the build I like best in those heavier horses here in the states.

Jessica,
You crack me up, that's why I love this blog! But you are also right - rather strange to show a Teke with a Chinese-influenced costumed rider... You must wonder if this organization - which of course is HUGE in the US - has ever even seen a real quality Teke to be portraying them in such a way. But who knows... maybe the Gypsy vanners were being ridden by dirty shoeless unkempt children that galloped around and stole things from the crowd...

9. ANNE-MARIE05/10/2007 10:41:09
Homepage: http://FREEDOMRUNFARM.COM

I spoke with Pieters owner last week when I was driving to Georgia. Just now catching up on my Jessica blog reading.

Pieter was in his stall an hour before dinner happy and healthy, when they came back an hour later to feed him he was dead in the stall. Very sad, he was very loved by his owners and he was a true joy to be around. Good thing is that he probably did not suffer and went quickly.

10. Jessica D.05/10/2007 14:09:12

Anne-Marie - that is SO wierd! Do they know why he died??? Very Freakish!

Heather, the breeders I am working for do not currently have a website yet. My Husband is actually going to put one together for them. They have a couple of imported mares and a 2yr old colt...and a gelding who was also imported -though not by them. The 2 mares had foals by now so I will be taking pictures of them. I think they intend to sell the foals...though I am not certain.

Here are the Gypsy pictures I took while there. I wasnt there for the whole show so I only did a few in-hand classes.
http://drakephotos.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=4483261&IID=156514307&Page=1

This is the 2yr old colt that is owned by the people I am working for.
http://drakephotos.dotphoto.com/CPViewAlbum.asp?AID=4483261&IID=156534505&Page=1
They got 3rd place in their class.

11. Heather05/10/2007 15:05:26

Jessica D.,
Thanks for sharing such great pics! What a fun job that must be. What camera body do you use, if you don't mind me asking? The first pic especially was the body type I like in vanner/drums. That nice strong long face, with almost an Andalusian-type look. Very nice! Thanks for posting the links.

12. Jessica D.05/10/2007 16:06:12

Heather, thanks! I use a Canon. I studied photography in college...although it wasn't my major. I LOVE the darkroom and would shoot film if it were feesible....BUT it is just not economical to use film for photography now-a-days....unless you only do fine art. I am doing pet photography too...which is WAY fun! Doing an agility event this weenend and Im really looking forward to it.

I will let you know their website once it is up for the Gypsies.

13. Vile05/29/2007 05:44:55

Hi Jessica,

I wholeheartedly agree with you on underfeeding. I just bought my first Teke and the "breeder" underfed him which shows on his hooves, thank God most of his life he was raised somewhere else not with his breeder but recently he got back there for 2 months and it already showed on his hooves. The vet confirmed that he didn't suffer any permanent damage but he needs to gain weight. I heard that his mother is so weak that she can barely walk. The "breeder" also shortened his beautiful tail. I'm so pissed when I see that people like this guy dare to claim to be a breeder.