Bucephalus - Achal-Teke? (Andy? Sikander?)

[nick]

Hi Companions ---A great book about horses that we have here at home says that Bucephalus (Boukephalas) was actually a horse from the Achal-Teke breed.The Achal-Teke (or Akhal-Teke) is supposed to have originated in Turkmenistan and is has been bred since 3000 years. The Achal-Teke was 1.60 meters high, quite small build compared to modern horses.Was Bucephalus indeed an Achal-Teke? Is there any (circumstantial) evidence for this? Sikander? Andrew? Anyone?Thanks!Nick

[S]

Greetings Nick,No, Bucephalus was not Akhal-Teke (though the predecessor of the Akhal-Teke, the Turkmene horse, was almost certainly known to the Makedonians). But the Akhal-Teke breeders, especially in the United States, are strongly promoting this idea.. A marketing "gimmick" is almost a requirement in order to flood the market with yet *another* breed of dog, horse or cat.. and at the moment, Alexander seems to be the "flavour of the year".. so I predict that in another 5 years, we will see yet *another* breed of horse flooding the global meat and dog food market as Akhal-Tele breeders over-produce and interest wanes when people reaize how narrow these horses truly are in the back!In fact, one gentleman who knows I was doing an article on the breeds of the Makedonian army sent me some glossy, promotional materials stating that
" ...in 500 bc Alexander rode his Akhal-Teke, Bucephalus, across the known world.." So we began with history lesson #1 (laughing)I have completed an extensive article on horses (except for the information on tack and bits, which Andrew F. is collaborating on), had others look at it for editing and am now putting illos with it. I will then post it for certain persons for further "fact checking", before finally posting. I am fairly satisfied with the conclusions, though of course I expect it to spark some debate.Regards,
Sikander

[beausefaless]

Greetings Nick & Sikander,I have many beautiful photos, going back to 883 BCE from the British Museum, one from The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg and etc. Pictures of stone relief's and a Greek marble frieze, simply magnificent! A photo of a muzzle and drawings of bits and info.I will get these scanned hopefully by this week. Will send all of this to both of you ASAP.Regards, Andrew

[ruthaki]

Hello Andrew, as you're one of the knowlegable horse-men on the site, could you give me an idea of about what age Alexander might have started riding? I know he got Bucephalus when he was perhaps 12, but obviously he was an accomplished rider before that in order to handle such a spirited horse.

[S]

Greetings Ruthaki,Although you did not address the query to me, and I am certain Andrew will also answer, I would like to suggest that Alexander probably had access to horses as soon as he could walk, though training in earnest probably began around the age of six or so (even in pony clubs today, 4-5 year olds are on a horse for one hour lessons under lead). His position and place in his society would ensure him access to well-trained horses; his nature would have made him eager to ride, and typical of most children, poor and rich alike in horse cultures, horses would have been central to many activities.If Philip was indeed importing horses, it is fairly safe to state that horses were an integral part of the Makedonian aristo culture, and that anyone of any import would be expected to know how to handle a horse at an early age.Typically today, by the time children are six they are fully able to ride even a full size horse if it is well-trained, by twelve or so these children are capable of riding a horse that many adults cannot ride, over terrain that some people would consider "impossible".
Regards,
Sikander

[ruthaki]

Sikander, thanks so much for the reply. I'd run into a problem in my novel with Alexander's young son riding and I realized perhaps he was far too young (four) but from what you've said, and given that these royal children (especially one brought up in army camps) were exposed to horses early on, I think I am on the right track (perhaps with a few slight edits.) ruthaki