| Introduction
Lines are structured entities in all breeding animals where a successfull selective breeding program has been used. They are like sub-breeds with there own characteristics that are genetically inherited. The number of lines in each breed varies, this means that the importance of each line varies. Some lines have invaluable stallions and broodmares. There are superior animals within these lines. During the life time of a horse breed some of the lines fork off and start new progressive lines, while other lines become extinct. As a rule, the broodmares from the lines becoming extinct improve the new progressive lines.
When working with a breed, you not only need to select good horses, the most important task is to determine which horses should be crossed to achieve the optimal quality. This means that you must have knowledge of the breed, the breeds characteristics and its possibilities.
At present there are 17 lines (Diagram 1) being used in Akhal-Teke breeding. All of these lines have different traits that are necessary for conserving and improving the true Akhal-Teke type, conformation and performance qualities. On the 9th of Nov. 1976 a decree concerning the evaluation of the performances of selected breeding animals was passed . This decree started research of the offspring related to the stallions: KARLAVACH, GELISHIKLI, ARAB. This research was succefully completed in 1990 with the registration of the new lines. Some of the present Akhal-Teke lines are related to 1976 in the breeding plans done by M.I.Belonogov. Currently the KIR-SAKAR, SKAK and EL lines are of great importance in the improvement of the quality of the breed. The improvement of the lines has been researched since 1976, and now, in 1994, selective breeding has begun using these lines.
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