Akhal-Tekes in the Circus and Performing Arts

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Akhal-Tekes from Sweet Water Farm in Washington, USA have joined the circus with Cirque Ma’Ceo by Cavallo Equestrian Arts! Very fun to see the breed being selected for creative acts because of their intelligence. I feel the breed also introduces a certain mystique and ethereal element to storytelling, so it will be cool to see what these two end up doing. They seem well-loved already.

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Photos originally shared by Sweet Water Farm Akhal-Tekes, click here.

Smarts, stamina, and good natures are necessary for circus horses though it can be a difficult lifestyle depending on the program. Thankfully, at least in the USA, the care provided to and regulated for circus horses and performance animals has greatly evolved over the years–particularly with the federal Animal Welfare Act circus-specific amendments and the continued shaping of further welfare and humane care laws managed state to state.

I always thought it would be interesting to see Akhal-Tekes in a big international production show like Cavalia with so much focus on the equine-human spiritual relationship. Iberian and Arabian horses are often used, so why not Akhal-Tekes? The breed was used in the 2006-2007 production of Cirque Niagara’s Avaia, and they are still actively used in Turkmenistan’s Akhal-Teke trick rider and breed showcase performances as seen during the nation’s “Turkmen Horse Day”.

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I have a personal curiosity about Akhal-Tekes in performative work as the grandsire to two of my Akhal-Tekes, Gindarkh 13, performed for a number of years in the Mongolian State Circus and the Ringling Brothers Circus. He had an exceptionally good nature, good bone, and beautiful movements–all of which were likely reasons he was selected for circus work. Though the hard, unnatural work did lead to his early retirement to stud. For photo credit to Central Asian Equines and to read more about his story, click here.

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:thought_balloon: What do you think about Akhal-Tekes in performing arts?

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For me personally it’s a no go to use animals in circus acts any longer. For entertainment use only, no goal to be served. Don’t get me wrong I do believe that the circus people nowadays treat their animals good with love and care. In the past there was a lot of abuse and punishment and no eye for the animals only the money and need to perform one way or the other. They are never long at one place and travel a lot in great trucks around the country. That’s for me an issue already with many more, I believe a horse should be living at one place as it’s home they are animals with common behaviour and like their routine in their pasture and stables. And not doing tricks every day with the training. I know they pause the tour for some time but then it starts all over again for years at a time.
Beter to let the public visit the show at their place where the horses live. And have their own stable home instead of bringing the horses to the public, like as in Hungary where the shows are held in the field. People visit the Zoo also why not places where horses are trained and perform shows. And learn/ educate people more about the great creatures horses are, then only watch them in a circus tent doing their tricks night after night they are so much more than just pretty animals in a show

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