Akhal-Teke Horse Price – How Much do Akhal Teke Cost?

Akhal-Teke horses are famously known for their golden sheen, which also gave them the nickname of “Golden Horses.” They’re a Turkmen horse breed that many call the most beautiful horse breed in the world. You may have seen them all, but have you a seen a supple, well-built, and muscular golden horse? That golden, metallic sheen has persuaded many to buy a specimen.

But how much does it cost and what are the best indicators of price for an Akhal-Teke horse? Well, you can expect to pay between 7,000 and 40,000 for a regular Akhal-Teke with a decent bloodline. But a highly-trained Akhal-Teke may cost upwards of $50,000 to $100,000, and more.

Why is that? Keep reading and you’l find out the reasons!

Factors that Impact Price

Due to being one of the oldest and most beautiful horses in the world, Akhal-Teke horses are expensive. But how expensive? And what other factors impact the price? Well, as it turns out, the same factors that control the price ranges for other horse breeds also apply to the Akhal-Teke.

– Bloodline / Pedigree

The bloodline or pedigree is the single largest contributor to a horse’s price. The Akhal-Teke is a superb breed with exceptional specimens. But even considering this, the breed has three types of bloodlines. Type 1 follows the classic Peren, Gelishikili, and Kaplan lines. Type 2 are smaller and known for their speed, manifesting in the El and Karlovich lines.

Type 3 is the most resilient and has the largest stamina, and it follows the Dor-Bairam and Arab lines. Their larger bodies allow for longer strides without tiring, which is a great advantage in races. In total, there are 17 bloodlines in the Akhal-Teke horse breed, but not all are sought-after.

Indeed, some people will always want a specific bloodline type, and this drives the price upwards. As a reminder, the most expensive Akhal-Teke bloodlines come from Turkmenistan, Europe, and Russia. In other words, imported horses cost a lot, no matter what.

– Age

Akhal-Teke horses are in their prime between the ages of 7 and 14. They’re just perfect for driving and riding between these ages, so they’ll cost more. Horses over 20 years will cost a lot less because their physical characteristics have also gotten weaker. It’s only natural that older horses aren’t as fast, beautiful, or resilient as younger studs.

However, many individual specimens can do a great job even in their 20s, but this doesn’t depend on the breed. It’s a matter of the individual horse that has superior genetics than others. Its medical condition and breeding will generally matter more than age when it comes to price, though.

– Training

Akhal-Teke horses boast superior genetics that makes them perfect for racing, endurance contests, eventing, dressage, and show jumping. It’s this inborn athleticism that drives many to provide professional training to Akhal-Teke horses, further honing their qualities.

As you may have guessed, training a horse for eventing or racing is a tough job, and it’s expensive. The trainer will have to work with the horse many times a week to keep it in top shape. This is especially true for show horses, which require constant training because of the high demands imposed on them.

Naturally, the owner will need to recoup his training investment when selling the horse. The price will adequately reflect the training!

– Color

Akhal-Teke horses stand out because of their beautiful metallic sheen. Creamy-golden colors will shine better thanks to the horse’s unique hair structure. From my research, I found out that perlinos, buckskins, palominos, and especially cremellos will sell for more money. It’s only natural to want a horse with a glistening coat, so you’re ready to pay more for it.

Several Akhal-Teke horses have won show contests, and they all had in common one thing – their glistening golden coat.

– Show Performance

Show performance will clearly drive the price of a horse upwards. Its track record shows how successful the horse was. It’s like a reputation marker that reveals the horse’s abilities and likability. Akhal-Teke horses have won a couple of show competitions, though not many.

In 1960 and 1968, an Akhal-Teke stallion won gold medals during the dressage contest, driving many to acquire this breed. You’ll most often see Akhal-Teke horses in dressage and racing competitions, as these horses also are athletic and fast on their hooves.

Cost of Owning and Akhal Teke Horse

Owning a caring for an Akhal-Teke horse is a compled and expensive business. Boarding costs between $150 and $1,000 per month, but this largely depends on whether the horse lives in a pasture or stall. Boarding will take care of feeding, basic care, and bedding within that price range.

However, horses also need dental care, which costs around $80-$250 every six months.  A veterinarian will cost around $200-$400 per year. The farrier will cost you anywhere between $45-$150 every 6-8 weeks, as well.

But if you want to take care of your horse without calling on professional boarding services, you can do so. Nutrition-wise, Akhal-Teke horses should consume around 9-18 pounds of hay every single day. Provide them with fresh water for hydration, as well.

Proteins, minerals, and vitamins are essential for a horse, so make sure the food is nutrient-rich. High-quality hay and grass, with supplements, should be enough to keep your Akhal-Teke healthy all year round. A veterinarian is essential if any health problems appear in the meantime.

These horses are genetically predisposed toward Cryptorchidism, Cervical Vertebrae Stenotic Myelopathy, and Naked Foal Syndrome. All of these conditions are lethal, so a yearly $200-$400 for the vet doesn’t sound too bad.

Conclusion

Akhal-Teke horses are pricey, especially the pure bloodlines with ample training and a spotless track record. No one buys these high-tier horses for personal enjoyment but contests and show expositions.

Racing is one of the most satisfying events in the world of horses, and Akhal-Teke specimens are famous on the racing track. After being trained by a professional, this breed can reach speeds of 30mph at its best.