KAZAKHSTAN: Horse breeders and riders practice traditional forms of racing and horse breeding

Record ID: 613708

  • Title: KAZAKHSTAN: Horse breeders and riders practice traditional forms of racing and horse breeding
  • Date: 11th October 2011
  • Summary: SARSYBEK STUD FARM BUILDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TLIMBEK TLEUBAYEV, HEAD OF "SARSYBEK" STUD FARM, SAYING: "We have horse-eaters and horse-breeders -that is, horse-eaters breed the Dzhabe, this is a meat breed. But to not have classy horses - as (people) used to say '(to give) half of the kingdom for a horse' - is also wrong. Every farm has race horses (called Tulpar in Kazakh) and palfreys. So our ancestors rode mainly on palfreys." VARIOUS YOUNG MAN WALKING WITH WHITE HORSE VARIOUS HORSE BEING TAKEN ON RUN ON LEAD MAN WALKING WITH HORSE DOWN PATH ROSES IN GARDEN MAN RIDING HORSE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) YAKOV DIK, HEAD OF "AKHAL-TEKE I MID RK" STUD FARM, SAYING: "(One needs) to leave an imprint on earth. Nowadays people are forced to sell vodka or some other things. Of course, the short-cut to becoming wealthy is through drugs, prostitutes, oil and everything else, aren't they? Should we leave a trace?" HORSES STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) YAKOV DIK, HEAD OF "AKHAL-TEKE I MID RK" STUD FARM, SAYING: "(Akhal-Teke) are distinct from the others because of their beauty and the uniqueness of their colour types. Beauty is what should and does remain on earth. This should remain forever". HORSES WALKING YOUNG HORSE SUCKLING MARE HORSES STANDING HORSES RUNNING OFF
  • Embargoed: 26th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
  • Country: Kazakhstan
  • Topics: Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVABUAB0Z125ES0VPRGI50T1L8IS
  • Story Text: Kazakhstan recently hosted the "Alaman-Baiga" competition in the country's capital Almaty, during which horses were tested for stamina and strength.
    The "Baiga", as the competition is called for short, usually features young riders to ensure the horse moves faster and comes in earlier.
    The anual racing programme is usually pegged to national holidays and is organised by local authorities and is often interspersed with ethnic dancing and singing. Winners receive prizes that range from substantial amounts of money to expensive cars.
    In one of the recent races held to celebrate Almaty Day in the city's race-track, several sets of prizes were up for grabs. The competition involved English thoroughbreds of various ages and trainers were mainly hereditary jockeys from dynasties.
    It was only during the awards ceremony that one could see that 11-year old Shyngys Bakhtybai had a broken leg, and yet he won a Mitsubisi Pajero with his horse called Lashyn. Shyngys has been on horseback for three years and at already chalked up numerous victories.

    "It wasn't very difficult, especially once you've learned how to ride and got used to the horse and made sure you are prepared for the ride," Shyngys Bakhtybai, told Reuters.
    The winner had to be assisted with getting into his new car and even received a free ice-cream from a lady-vendour as an addition to his bigger trophy.
    Kazakh horse-taming traditions date back to at least 5,500 years, according recent resarch.
    Although it is still disputed when and where horses were first domesticated, the once nomadic Central Asian nation holds the animal in a lot of esteem and views it as a source of food, sport and recreational pursuits.

    "For every Kazakh a horse was the most respected animal, a horse in of the first most importance, not a cow, sheep or a camel. They (the Kazakhs) put a horse in the first place," Tlimbek Tleubayev the Head of 'Sarsybek' stud farm, told Reuters.
    Tlimbek Tleubayev comes from a hereditary horse-breeding family. His Sarsybek stud farm near Almaty delivers mare's milk to the city's main hospital and its koumiss is far-famed both within the country and abroad.
    In Kazakhstan there are a total of 14 breeds, three of which are locally bred and provide meat and dairy produce. Horse-breeding is a source of food for Kazakhs.
    Of the present 1 million and 600 thousand horses in the country 70% are used for food production and namely the cooking of kazy - a common element on a dastarkhan.
    Horse-raising for sports and recreational purposes makes up 30% of the cattle breeding industry in Kazakhstan.
    Horse husbandry for milk and meat production is a low-cost business that brings handsome profits. Local researchers say their estimates show that 18 thousand tenge (approx. $120 U.S. dollars) is needed to raise a foal from its birth up until it reaches 2.5 years of age, with net profit being as fat as around 160 thousand tenge (approx. $1073 USD).

    "We have horse-eaters and horse-breeders -that is, horse-eaters breed the Dzhabe, this is a meat breed. But to not have classy horses - as (people) used to say '(to give) half of the kingdom for a horse' - is also wrong. Every farm has race horses (called Tulpar in Kazakh) and palfreys. So our ancestors rode mainly on palfreys," Tleubayev said.
    Scientists say in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union the number of horses amounted to 1 million 700 thousand and in 2000 the heads of cattle have sharply declined to just around 900 thousand. But many farmers say that government support and subsidies, as well as a handful of enthusiasts who had the means and desire to form their own farms, helped to reinvigorate the industry.
    There no government-run stud farms in the country, as there used to be in the 1990s, because they all have split into small private farms. One of such farms breeding the famous Akhal-Teke horses is situated in Almaty.
    One of the founders of 'Akhal-Teke I MID RK' stud farm, Yakov Dik, says the area had long been in disuse when he decided to grow rose bushes here 10 years ago so as to turn the site into a stud farm in its present form.
    "(One needs) to leave an imprint on earth. Nowadays people are forced to sell vodka or some other things. Of course, the short-cut to becoming wealthy is through drugs, prostitutes, oil and everything else, aren't they? Should we leave a trace?" Yakov, Dik, head of 'Akhal-Teke I MID RK' stud farm told Reuters.
    Maintaining the animals in good shape is a matter of prestige for Yakov Dik because he showcases his nurslings at international competitions and exhibitions.

    "(Akhal-Teke) are distinct from the others because of their beauty and the uniqueness of their colour types. Beauty is what should and does remain on earth. This should remain forever," Dik told Reuters.
    Equestrian and recreational horse husbandry is the preserve of well-heeled folks as prices for one Akhal-Teke may range from 10 to 15 thousand US dollars in addition to the regular upkeep expenses.
    Many say that a horse is absolutely crucial for Kazakh people, and emphasise that the vast territories of modern Kazakhstan would never have been formed were it not for the horses used by forefathers as food, transport and sports.
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