Turkmenistan has enacted the Law “On State Protection of Akhal-Teke Horses,” which for the first time enshrines in legislation the breed’s status as a national treasure. The law introduces mandatory genetic control and digital microchipping of all horses, and guarantees lifelong state protection for horses that have completed their sporting or breeding careers.
The law takes a comprehensive approach to preserving the gene pool of these legendary “heavenly horses,” developing horse breeding, and promoting the national heritage worldwide.
Under the law, all Akhal-Teke horses in the country are subject to state registration and must be entered in the State Stud Book. The breed is moving to modern identification standards: registration includes mandatory microchipping and genetic testing to confirm parentage.
The law guarantees state protection to horses that have ended their sporting, breeding, or cultural service due to age, injury, or health condition. Arbitrary decommissioning of such animals, or alteration of the records concerning them, is prohibited.
In addition, the state takes under its protection the traditional methods of training (the seyis school), as well as the art of adorning horses with jewelry according to national designs, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The law provides for the establishment of professional educational institutions, the introduction of mentoring programs, support for scientific research, the collection and translation of historical manuscripts about the Akhal-Teke, and the promotion of equestrian arts among young people.
Article 14 of the law affirms Turkmenistan’s status as the historical homeland of the Akhal-Teke and provides for joint work with the International Association of the Akhal-Teke Horse Breeding on maintaining the International Stud Book of purebred horses.
Regulation in this area is entrusted to the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the authorized state body for horse breeding. The measures provided for by the law will be financed from the State Budget and extra-budgetary sources.
The law entered into force on 23 September 2026, upon its signing by the President of Turkmenistan. ///nCa, 24 September 2026