“Sometimes I Feed the Horses Myself” Tokayev Shares His Passion for Horse Breeding

During the May holidays, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the stables of the Presidential Property Management Directorate and shared footage of Thoroughbred horses on his Instagram account.

A year ago, an Akhal-Teke mare of a unique cremello (Isabella) coat was born in Astana—a rare coloring featuring white-pink hues and dark green eyes. The Head of State personally named her Akzhan. According to Tokayev, the horse makes an immediate impression: tall, with an elegant neck, delicate ears, a slender body, and a gaze as clear as mountain water. A few months ago, a bay foal joined the Akhal-Teke ranks, which the President named Akniet, meaning "pure, kind intention."

The stables also house four Arabian horses that recently arrived as diplomatic gifts from Qatar. The President admitted that he periodically visits and personally feeds all the horses without exception.

"The Kazakh people have always held the horse in special regard, saying: 'The horse is the wings of a man.' It is important for us to continue developing equestrian sports and maintaining respect for this animal," the President wrote.

Throughout his presidency, Tokayev has repeatedly addressed the topic of horse breeding:

• In 2022: During a trip to the Mangystau region, he ordered the scientific recognition of the Adai horse as an independent breed.

• In 2024: He signed a law on the preservation of Kazakh sports horse breeds.

• Institutional Development: He proposed the creation of a Horse Breeding Institute, which was established shortly thereafter.

The Akhal-Teke is one of the oldest riding breeds in the world, developed in Central Asia over 3,000 years ago. Its distinctive features include a lean, slender build, a long neck, a unique "metallic" sheen to the coat, and exceptional endurance. Akhal-Tekes are traditionally used in dressage, show jumping, and racing.

These horses have frequently served as high-level diplomatic gifts. Turkmenistan, historically considered the breed's homeland, has presented Akhal-Tekes to heads of state worldwide. In 2021, the then-President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, gifted an Akhal-Teke horse to Tokayev.