Editing Akhal-Teke (section)

== Characteristics ==
[[File:Garant.jpg|thumb|An Akhal-Teke stallion]]
The Akhal-Teke is of medium size, usually standing some 144 to {{nowrap|160 cm}} at the [[withers]], with a weight between 430 and {{nowrap|500 kg.}}{{r|cabi|p=433}} Coat colors vary widely: the most frequent are [[bay (horse)|bays]] (about 40%), duns (about 22%), [[black (horse)|blacks]] (about 12%) and [[chestnut (coat)|chestnuts]] (about 11%); other colors include [[gray (horse)|grey]], cream and yellow.{{r|cabi|p=433|maak}} The coat often has a characteristic metallic sheen, which in duns may produce an unusual golden effect;{{r|atsa}} it is sometimes claimed that this provided [[camouflage]] in the desert.{{r|emb}}

The Akhal-Teke has a refined head with predominantly a straight or slightly convex profile, and long ears. It can also have [[almond]]-shaped or "hooded" eyes.<ref>[http://www.akhal-teke.org/breed-standard.html Breed Standard], Akhal-Teke Association of America {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215015508/http://www.akhal-teke.org/breed-standard.html |date=December 15, 2013 }}</ref>  The mane and tail are usually sparse. The long back is lightly muscled, and is coupled to a flat croup and long, upright neck. The Akhal-Teke possess sloping shoulders and thin skin.
The breed is tough and resilient, having adapted to the harshness of Turkmenistan lands, where horses must live without much food or water. This has also made the horses good for sport. The breed is known for its endurance,<ref>Leisson, K., et al. "Myosin heavy chain pattern in the Akhal-Teke horses." animal 5.5 (2010): 658.</ref> as shown in 1935 when a group of [[Turkmen people|Turkmen]] riders rode the {{convert|2500|mi|km|order=flip}} from [[Ashgabat]] to [[Moscow]] in 84 days, including a three-day crossing of {{convert|235|mi|km|order=flip|abbr=on}} of desert without water.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCLIu31HXSE VIDEO: Amazing equine trek from Ashkhabad to Moscow in 84 days over 4,300km]</ref> The Akhal-Teke is also known for its form and grace as a [[show jumping|show jumper]].

The quality of the Akhal-Teke horses are determined by the studbook manager. Depending on type, conformation, pedigree, quality of offspring and achievement in sport, the horses are designated as either Elite or Class I or Class II.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Grading Rules for Purebred Akhal-Teke Horses | url=http://www.maakcenter.org/ENG/BREED/grading.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419095919/http://www.maakcenter.org/ENG/BREED/grading.html |archive-date=2013-04-19 }}</ref> There are usually 2 annual grading events in Moscow, Russia called the "International Sport Meeting and World Championship “Heavenly Argamak” and "Golden Akhal-Teke Cup Shael" where breeders present their best horses to a group of judges. At the World Championship, a group of judges evaluates the horses in age and gender categories as well as in various sport disciplines and a halter class.