“That's just how she is” How Tokayev's favorite horse lives

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's stable is home to several Akhal-Teke horses.
Tengrinews.kz correspondents visited the facility to learn about the temperament of each horse, their diet, why they receive professional spa treatments, and why the famous Cremello mare is considered the most spoiled of the lot.
Upon passing through the gates of the presidential stable, the first to greet us is a golden-buckskin stallion named Ganatly.
President Tokayev's horse, the stallion Ganatly. Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabayev
Tall, calm, and remarkably social, he leisurely approaches the fence and observes the guests with curiosity. He seems completely unfazed by the photographers' lenses.
He is not only one of the stable's most beautiful residents but also the first, serving as the progenitor of the local Akhal-Teke line.
The stallion Ganatly during training. Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabayev
The stable houses stallions Ganatly and Mervarid, adult breeding mares Tabys-Dacor and Armita-Mid, the young Akzhan, and foals Akniet and Borte.
Note: The Akhal-Teke is one of the oldest refined breeds, having influenced many others, including the Arabian and the Thoroughbred. Along with the Arabian, it is classified as a purebred, serving as the definitive model of a riding horse and remaining uncrossed with other breeds for 5,000 years. Developed in the territory of modern-day Turkmenistan, the breed takes its name from the Akhal oasis and the Turkmen Teke tribe that bred them. Specialists note that Akhal-Tekes are lean, lack excess fat, and possess extraordinary endurance, making them excellent for riding and equestrian sports—particularly dressage and endurance racing. They are distinguished by a characteristic metallic sheen to their coat, which is especially prominent in lighter colors. Beyond their rare beauty and stamina, the breed is valued for its intelligence and remarkable loyalty to humans. Harshness or neglect affects an Akhal-Teke far more deeply than many other horses.
All the residents of this stable are beautiful, though in different ways. Each has a unique personality: some meet strangers calmly, others approach guests immediately as if demanding undivided attention, while others simply observe from a distance.
Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
We admire the second stallion, Mervarid. He is the sire of two young mares, Akniet and Borte, whom we will discuss later.
Meanwhile, our attention is drawn to a young, light-colored mare. A photographer is trying to take her picture, but she clearly has no intention of posing. As soon as he finds the right angle, she either turns away, steps closer to the fence, or trots off. Catching a moment where she stands still for even a few seconds seems to be no easy task.

"That's just how she is," the stable staff say with a smile.

This is Akzhan—the very horse whose photos have gone viral on social media and appeared in local and international media over recent months. This is how we meet the most famous inhabitant of the presidential stable.

"Akzhan is the President's favorite horse," specialists share. "She was the first foal born here, which is why the Head of State has a particularly warm spot for her".

The mare Akzhan. Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabayev
In fact, the President named her himself.
"Whenever the President visits the stable, he makes a point of going to every horse and hand-feeding them," says one of the employees.
The mare Akzhan. Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
Akzhan’s sire is the stallion Ganatly, who started the presidential stable's own Akhal-Teke line. But while her lineage makes her special to the staff, her appearance invariably surprises everyone who sees her for the first time.
In the sun, Akzhan's light coat takes on a characteristic metallic glow—a hallmark of the Akhal-Teke breed. If the mare breaks a sweat after a walk or training session, her delicate pink skin begins to show through the coat.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev with the mare Akzhan. Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
The trainer says people often ask about her unusual coloring. He explains that she has a specific coat that creates a pinkish effect under certain conditions.
The mare Akzhan. Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
This coat color is known as Cremello (izabellovaya), and it is very rare. According to specialists, it occurs in only 2.5–3 percent of Akhal-Teke horses.
The trainer has known Akzhan since birth; as he puts it, "she grew up before my eyes." He has worked with horses for nearly thirty years, raising generations of sport horses and developing a keen intuition for the animals.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev alongside the mare Akzhan. Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
Experts say Akzhan has quite a personality: she loves human attention, approaches new guests with curiosity, and absolutely cannot stand being alone.

"If you let her out by herself, she starts to worry. She needs to have either people or her peers nearby. Only then does she feel calm."

Following such a description, one inevitable question arises:
— Who is the most spoiled and beloved here?
— Akzhan, of course, — replies one of the workers.
The trainer laughs but disagrees:
— No, she is not spoiled. She is just the most beautiful. That is why everyone thinks so.
Then he unexpectedly adds:

"Professionals do not have favorites. Just as parents love all their children, we love them all."

The mare Akzhan. Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
Akzhan’s rare Cremello coat, flawless conformation, and stellar pedigree naturally invite comparisons to something exceptional. We asked if she could be described as the Ferrari or Rolls-Royce of the horse world.
"A horse is a living being. Therefore, in my view, comparing one to a car is wrong," says the head of the local team. "Akhal-Teke horses are very sensitive to a person's inner state. They cannot be compared to machinery or any inanimate objects."
While guests' attention usually goes to the Cremello favorite, the other residents of the stable are equally noteworthy. For instance, Tabys-Dacor, a dark buckskin broodmare and Akzhan’s mother, carries herself differently than her famous daughter.
The mare Tabys-Dacor. Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabayev
Tabys-Dacor seems to scan everything happening around her; as soon as anyone approaches the foals, her powerful maternal instinct becomes evident.
"She always tries to keep the foals close and watches over them carefully," the staff comment on her behavior.
Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
In addition to Akzhan, Tabys-Dacor recently gave birth to Borte on May 9.
Another adult mare, Armita-Mid, makes a completely different impression. Calm, balanced, and self-assured, she is considered the true leader among the group.
Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
This March, Armita-Mid gave birth to Akniet, the eldest of the current foals. While the parents undergo daily training and care, the young horses' main task is simply to explore the world around them.

"Young horses shouldn't be given heavy workloads. For now, we just lead them by hand and occasionally do a little lunging. The most important thing for them now is to grow, get stronger, and learn to trust humans," the trainer explains.

This leads us into a conversation about how the stable operates, how the horses are cared for, and their daily routine.
Watching the process, it appears very leisurely. However, this masks a meticulously planned routine that remains unchanged from day to day.
The staff’s workday begins at nine. By this time, the horses have already been fed and watered, and are ready for training.
Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
First comes the mandatory grooming. The horses are thoroughly brushed with special brushes and curry combs, their hooves are checked, and their coats and skin are inspected.
"Inspections take place twice a day—morning and evening. We constantly monitor their condition, ensuring vaccinations and necessary tests are performed on time," the staff say.
Each animal is assigned its own trainer, who is responsible for its well-being and monitors even the slightest changes daily.

"Of course, I personally supervise all the horses," adds the head of the local specialist team. "But it is a team effort. I work alongside trainers, grooms, and veterinary specialists. Everyone is responsible for their own area, but we all share one goal: for the animals to be healthy and comfortable. I’ve heard that horses are kept this way in the world's finest stables. When foreign delegations visit us—from Arab countries, for instance—they are impressed by our level of care."

Training occupies the better part of the day. From ten in the morning until nearly five in the evening, the horses take turns going to work. Depending on age and fitness, each spends between an hour and a half to two hours in training.
Photo by the Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbaev
The mares and foals are the first to head out for their walk. While they are outside, staff members prepare the rest of the animals.
Next come the adult stallions. Only after they are finished does work begin with young Akzhan.
"She is still very young, so we don't give her heavy workloads. We mostly work in hand and occasionally on the lunge (a durable rope 7 to 10 meters long used in equestrian sports to work a horse in a circle — Editor's note). Right now, learning to trust humans is more important for her than showing athletic results," the trainer explains.
The trainer notes that young horses must never be rushed.

"Akhal-Tekes are very sensitive to people. If you are irritated or nervous, they sense it immediately. That’s why patience is key. You need the horse to start trusting you of its own accord."

With nearly thirty years of experience, the specialist has learned to understand his charges almost without words. He says that sometimes they sense a person's mood even before the person does.
The staff's work doesn't end after training. On the contrary, another vital stage begins. A sweaty horse cannot be put back into its stall immediately.
Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabaev
First, the animal is allowed to fully catch its breath. Then comes the shower, in a process that mirrors a high-end spa treatment.
The horses are washed with professional shampoos and then moved to a dedicated drying area. This zone features heat lamps and a powerful ventilation system that ensures the coat dries quickly.
Tabys-Dacor being washed before training. Photo: © Tengrinews.kz / Nurlan Alzhabayev

"We never put a wet horse in its stall. This can lead to hypothermia and illness. So, we dry the animal completely before leading it back in," staff members explain.

However, grooming has its own nuances.

"You can't wash horses every day, as it strips away the skin's natural protective layer. But they are groomed two or three times a day — always before and after work," the specialists clarify.

Akzhan requires special care; because of her rare light coat, every speck of dust is immediately visible.
"She must always be clean. So, she does indeed receive extra attention," the trainer smiles.
The diet of the presidential horses is also of great interest. The staples include hay, wheatgrass, alfalfa, and grain feed. But the menu doesn't end there. Every day, the Akhal-Tekes receive carrots, apples, special vitamin supplements, and muesli.
Honey is even added to the feed, and breeding stallions also receive chicken eggs.
"This is necessary to maintain high semen quality," the trainer explains.
Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
In other words, the diet varies depending on the horse's role, age, and physical workload.
Feeding takes place three times a day, while hay and water are available around the clock.
Staff members admit that it is not just the diet itself that matters, but the quality of every product. The hay is inspected with particular care.

"It must be dry, clean, and free of mold or dampness. If there is even the slightest doubt, we discard the feed immediately. The health of the animals is our top priority," the specialists say.

Despite the strict routine, life in the presidential stable is far from monotonous.
Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
Each horse has its own character, habits, and even small quirks.
Some are eager to interact with humans, while others observe strangers carefully first. Some wait calmly for their turn to train, while others peer impatiently from their stalls.
Photo by Akorda Press Service / Amankul Dyusenbayev
But they are similar in some ways.

"If you feed one horse before the others, the rest start to 'protest' immediately," the trainer laughs. "As if to say, 'What about us?' That's why everyone's feeding schedule is the same."

Every horse knows its time for walks, training, and treatments. This order is never changed without a valid reason.
This is how, day after day, they are prepared for a life in sport.
We ask the trainer why people are willing to keep such horses if they don't participate in races every day or provide practical utility to the owner.
Samat reflects for a few seconds before saying the following:

"Some people keep a horse simply for the soul. You step out into the yard in the morning, see her running in the paddock, and it just brings joy to your heart. Perhaps that is the whole philosophy."

For the Kazakh people, the horse has always been of paramount importance. They were used for nomadic migrations, hunting, long-distance travel, and battle. The horse was a symbol of wealth, an investment, and a prestigious gift. Often, a person's safety and very life depended directly on the animal's endurance and speed. The Kazakh proverb "Yer qanaty — at" ("The horse is the wings of the warrior") perfectly captures the significance the horse held for the people of the steppe.
Horses are central to many Kazakh legends, epics, folk games, and rituals. Fine steeds were highly valued, a source of pride, and often passed down through generations.
Yet, the horse was always more than just a means of transport; it was a companion. It was an animal kept not only for utility but for the soul. Perhaps that is the whole philosophy.
Text: Aruzhan Daribay
Photo: Nurlan Alzhabayev