What is a Kayip Atlar?

A Kayip Atlar, also known as a Kayip Teke, is an equine breed found in Turkmenistan alongside Akhal Tekes. They are known for their intelligence and graceful manner, and for their flexibility within a wide variety of disciplines. Like Akhal Tekes, many Atlars display a metallic sheen on their coats. They have adapted to life in harsh conditions, making them ideal for strenuous sports. They have not been influenced by other breeds, so their appearance is much the same as it was thousands of years ago. Atlars have a lifespan of 30-35 years, and mature slowly. They may only be ridden at six, and may only breed by the age of four.
Conformation & Appearance

Atlars may stand between 14 and 17 hands. Bay, black chestnut and grey are the most common colours, and may be seen with the cream dilution. However, all equine coat colours are recognised. Since there has been no outside influence upon this breed, it is unsure how these genes came to express themselves. Many Atlars display a unique marking known as 'binding,' which resembles reverse brindle. Binding may extend up the legs and across the face, but may never cross the back, and may cause the horse to have blue eyes. Due to the variety of colour genes existing within this breed, it is not unlikely to find a chimeric Atlar, or an Atlar displaying a mutation known as 'slipped pigment.' This is seen as patches of the body where pigment is lost, rendering skin pink and hair white. When crossing the eyes, slipped pigment will cause them to be red or pink.
The Kayip Atlar is built like a regular Akhal Teke, with a long back, flat croup, and upright neck. The head is well defined, and has a slightly convex profile. They have large ears, which aid in heat loss, as well as thin skin. All Atlars display feathering on their fetlocks, although this may not extend down the pastern. These feathers are strong and extensive, but are very thin and wiry. Their purpose is unclear, though some some speculate they prevent the Atlar from sinking too far in desert sand. Atlars have long and thing legs, and usually have flat and fast gaits. Their manes and tails are usually very thin, and hogged manes or no manes are common in domestic horses. It is incredibly rare to see an Atlar with a full mane and tail.
History of the Kayip Atlar

Kayip Atlars are known to be one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. It is believed that their ancestry dates back to the Nisean horse, and possibly the Turkoman horse as well. Wild Atlars are quite flighty, so they stayed away from the various tribes in the area that is know known as Turkmenistan. Some were caught, and were revered by tribesmen, who rarely rode them due to the belief they were sacred.
In 1881, when Turkmenistan became part of Russia, many Atlars were released into the wild by the tribesmen. Some were caught by the Russians, who developed a small breeding farm after the war. This went very well, and was kept quiet during the time of the Soviet Union to protect the horses. Only recently has the breed been introduced to the wider world, with the hopes that others will appreciate these beautiful horses as well. Some are captured from the wild, while others have been bred and trained at the facility. All will only be sold to loving homes, where they will receive the care that this unique breed deserves.
Marking Standards

Rules

~Follow all of the forum rules
~You may receive one free adoptable Atlar each day
~You may have as many Atlars as you wish
~Do not take the original reference of your Atlar off site
~Do not give away or trade your Atlar
~Do not ask for customs unless they are open
~Once you own an Atlar, you may ask for an unshaded version of it
~Only add extras to forms if asked to
~I have the right to change these rules if needed
~Be kind and courteous and have fun!

A Kayip Atlar, also known as a Kayip Teke, is an equine breed found in Turkmenistan alongside Akhal Tekes. They are known for their intelligence and graceful manner, and for their flexibility within a wide variety of disciplines. Like Akhal Tekes, many Atlars display a metallic sheen on their coats. They have adapted to life in harsh conditions, making them ideal for strenuous sports. They have not been influenced by other breeds, so their appearance is much the same as it was thousands of years ago. Atlars have a lifespan of 30-35 years, and mature slowly. They may only be ridden at six, and may only breed by the age of four.
Conformation & Appearance

Atlars may stand between 14 and 17 hands. Bay, black chestnut and grey are the most common colours, and may be seen with the cream dilution. However, all equine coat colours are recognised. Since there has been no outside influence upon this breed, it is unsure how these genes came to express themselves. Many Atlars display a unique marking known as 'binding,' which resembles reverse brindle. Binding may extend up the legs and across the face, but may never cross the back, and may cause the horse to have blue eyes. Due to the variety of colour genes existing within this breed, it is not unlikely to find a chimeric Atlar, or an Atlar displaying a mutation known as 'slipped pigment.' This is seen as patches of the body where pigment is lost, rendering skin pink and hair white. When crossing the eyes, slipped pigment will cause them to be red or pink.
The Kayip Atlar is built like a regular Akhal Teke, with a long back, flat croup, and upright neck. The head is well defined, and has a slightly convex profile. They have large ears, which aid in heat loss, as well as thin skin. All Atlars display feathering on their fetlocks, although this may not extend down the pastern. These feathers are strong and extensive, but are very thin and wiry. Their purpose is unclear, though some some speculate they prevent the Atlar from sinking too far in desert sand. Atlars have long and thing legs, and usually have flat and fast gaits. Their manes and tails are usually very thin, and hogged manes or no manes are common in domestic horses. It is incredibly rare to see an Atlar with a full mane and tail.
History of the Kayip Atlar

Kayip Atlars are known to be one of the oldest horse breeds in the world. It is believed that their ancestry dates back to the Nisean horse, and possibly the Turkoman horse as well. Wild Atlars are quite flighty, so they stayed away from the various tribes in the area that is know known as Turkmenistan. Some were caught, and were revered by tribesmen, who rarely rode them due to the belief they were sacred.
In 1881, when Turkmenistan became part of Russia, many Atlars were released into the wild by the tribesmen. Some were caught by the Russians, who developed a small breeding farm after the war. This went very well, and was kept quiet during the time of the Soviet Union to protect the horses. Only recently has the breed been introduced to the wider world, with the hopes that others will appreciate these beautiful horses as well. Some are captured from the wild, while others have been bred and trained at the facility. All will only be sold to loving homes, where they will receive the care that this unique breed deserves.
Marking Standards

Rules

~Follow all of the forum rules
~You may receive one free adoptable Atlar each day
~You may have as many Atlars as you wish
~Do not take the original reference of your Atlar off site
~Do not give away or trade your Atlar
~Do not ask for customs unless they are open
~Once you own an Atlar, you may ask for an unshaded version of it
~Only add extras to forms if asked to
~I have the right to change these rules if needed
~Be kind and courteous and have fun!
Images were referenced from this fantastic stock provider on DA.