Today, the 18th International Scientific Conference titled “The Turkmen Horse and the World Art of Horse Breeding” was held at the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A. Niyazov, on the occasion of the National Day of the Turkmen Horse—widely celebrated in our country in the year proclaimed “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.”

Before the forum began, participants viewed an exhibition of creative works in which the beauty of Akhal-Teke horses was artistically captured in works of fine and decorative-applied arts, carpets, jewelry, and photographs.

As is well known, Akhal-Teke horses, rightfully called the “wings of the soul of the Turkmen people,” occupy an important place in the life and culture of our nation.

The image of the horse—a symbol of beauty, grace, agility, and strength—has always been a source of inspiration. In modern works, Akhal-Teke horses are portrayed as a vivid embodiment of the rapid development of our Motherland. This is clearly reflected in the books of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, dedicated to these legendary horses and the national art of horse breeding.

Then, a plenary session of the international scientific conference took place in the university’s conference hall. Congratulating the participants on the National Day of the Turkmen Horse, speakers emphasized the special significance of the events held on this occasion in the year marked by the 35th anniversary of the country’s sovereignty under the motto “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.” Bred by our ancestors on ancient Turkmen land, the Akhal-Teke horses—swift as the wind—have become a universal human value and are rightfully considered one of the most renowned horse breeds in the world. A clear confirmation of this is the inclusion of the art of Akhal-Teke horse breeding and traditions of horses’ decoration in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Our “heavenly” horses, which are a national pride due to their loyalty, beauty, speed, and endurance, remain the “wings” and true heritage of the country in the modern era.

Speakers particularly emphasized that our hardworking and talented ancestors created this unique breed and preserved its purity. Today, thanks to the efforts of the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan, Hero-Arkadag, and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the art of horse breeding—rooted in millennia—has received a powerful impetus for development. The global promotion of Akhal-Teke horses, increasing their population, and improving breeding and selection work have become priority areas of state policy.

In our country, modern equestrian sports complexes and specialized scientific and educational centers are being built and commissioned, social and working conditions for horse breeders are being steadily improved, and young specialists are being trained for the industry. A clear example of this is the establishment in the city of Arkadag of the International Horse Breeding Academy named after Aba Annayev and the Scientific and Production Center for Horse Breeding.

The beauty, endurance, nobility, loyalty, and sensitivity of the “heavenly” horses, as well as the highest professionalism of Turkmen horse breeders, trainers, and selectors, inspire universal admiration. Year by year, the number of foreign partners interested in cooperation with Turkmenistan—the homeland of the legendary “winged” horses—in the field of horse breeding is growing. In this regard, the International Akhal-Teke Horses Association, established in 2010 at the initiative of Hero-Arkadag, has become an authoritative platform for interaction among equestrian specialists from different countries.

In the era of the Revival of the new epoch of the powerful state, the noble work of domestic and foreign horse breeders specializing in raising Akhal-Teke horses receives due recognition. They are awarded honorary titles such as “Türkmenistanyň at gazanan atşynasy,” “Türkmenistanyň halk atşynasy,” “Türkmenistanyň ussat halypa çapyksuwary,”and “Türkmenistanyň ussat halypa seýsi.”

The global fame of the National Equestrian Games Group “Galkynyş,” which regularly receives top awards at prestigious international festivals and competitions, continues to grow. At the beginning of this year, at the International Circus Arts Festival held in Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco, the “Galkynyş” Group was awarded international certificates from the World Circus Federation and the European Circus Association for its significant contribution to the development of circus art. This event further enhanced the significance of the current year, held under the deeply symbolic motto “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.”

During the conference, a Decree of the President of Turkmenistan was read, awarding the honorary title “Türkmenistanyň at gazanan atşynasy” to distinguished masters who have made a significant contribution to the development of the country’s horse breeding industry, as well as in honor of the National Day of the Turkmen Horse. Those awarded this honorary title expressed sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Hero-Arkadag, and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for creating modern conditions for the development of the national art of horse breeding inherited from ancestors and for the high appreciation of the work of industry specialists.

At the 18th International Scientific Conference “The Turkmen Horse and the World Art of Horse Breeding,” speeches by heads of reputable equestrian associations in Europe, as well as professors and lecturers from universities in Germany and Türkiye, were delivered via digital communication. They presented valuable information on current work in breeding Akhal-Teke horses—which played a key role in the development of world horse breeding—and on the influence of the image of the “heavenly” horse on the culture of Turkic and other peoples. Foreign representatives expressed their readiness for active cooperation with relevant institutions of our country in increasing the population of Akhal-Teke horses, improving breeding practices, and promoting the ancient art of Turkmen horse breeding and its exemplary experience worldwide.

The conference also featured reports on scientific research aimed at increasing the population of Akhal-Teke horses and strengthening their immune systems using medicinal plants native to our country, as well as on the glorification of the horse’s image in classical literature.

Substantive presentations delivered at the subsequent sections—“The Glorification of Akhal-Teke Horses in the Era of the Revival of the New Epoch of the Powerful State,” “Features of Keeping, Feeding, and Training Akhal-Teke Horses in Accordance with Veterinary Requirements,” and “The Role of Akhal-Teke Horses in World Horse Breeding”—comprehensively revealed the historical path and modern achievements of the national art of horse breeding.

Participants of the forum were unanimous in their view that such events contribute to familiarizing the global community with the achievements of the domestic horse breeding industry, facilitate the exchange of experience, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign associations, specialized organizations, and private breeders. At the international conference, words of deep gratitude were expressed to Hero-Arkadag and the President of Turkmenistan for the large-scale transformations being carried out in the ancient homeland of the “heavenly” horses and for their tireless efforts aimed at ensuring the well-being and happiness of the native people.