The President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Law ‘On the State Protection of Ahal-Teke Horses in Turkmenistan,’ Turkmenportal reported.

The document defines the legal, organizational, and economic foundations for the state protection of Ahal-Teke horses as a national treasure of the Turkmen people.

The law provides for the preservation of the gene pool and the increase in the population of purebred Ahal-Teke horses, the protection of the art of Ahal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration, as well as the collection, preservation and scientific study of written sources concerning these animals. The document also provides for the development of scientific research, the publication and translation of specialist works, the organisation of festivals, competitions, exhibitions and other events, as well as the development of international cooperation.

Every Ahal-Teke racehorse is subject to state registration. Information about each horse is entered into the State Stud Book. Within Turkmenistan, horses are microchipped, and their pedigree is verified through genetic testing, with the relevant details entered into a digital database.

The document also enshrines state protection for the art of Ahal-Teke horse breeding and the traditions of horse decoration, which have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Provision is made for support for the activities of grooms and horse breeders who preserve traditional methods of rearing and training Ahal-Teke racehorses.

The Act comes into force upon signature – 23 September 2026.