Haflinger - Breed Characteristics - Stallion Lines

Stallion Lines

All Haflingers today trace their lineage through one of seven stallion lines to Folie, the foundation stallion of the breed. Usually, colts are given a name beginning with the letter or letters denoting their stallion line, and fillies are given a name beginning with the first letter of their dam's name. The exceptions are France, where foals are given a name beginning with a letter of the alphabet designated to be used for that year; and Italy, where colts' names must begin with the letter or letters designating the stallion line, while fillies' names begin with the letter designated for a given year. The seven stallion lines are:

• A-line. Founded by Anselmo, born 1926. This is one of the most prevalent lines today, and descendants include the second-largest number of stallions at stud. Anselmo was brought back to stud at the age of 21 when a lack of stallions after World War II led to concerns that the line would not survive and produced several stallions who are represented in all Haflinger breeding populations worldwide.
• B-line. Founded by Bolzano, born 1915. Bolzano founded a less common line, which although strong in Austria is not prevalent elsewhere. The line is spreading nevertheless; the US and several European countries including Great Britain are establishing Bolzano lines.
• M-line. Founded by Massimo, born 1927. An Italian stallion, Massimo founded a line that is prevalent in Austria and Italy.
• N-line. Founded by Nibbio, born 1920. Early in its history the Nibbio line split into two branches, one in Italy and one in Austria. The N-line is one of the populous lines, with the greatest number of stallions at stud. It is one of two (the other being the A-line) that has a presence in all Haflinger breeding countries. The line is the most prolific in Austria and Italy.
• S-line. Founded by Stelvio, born 1923. The Stelvio line is the least numerous of the lines, threatened with extinction after non-Haflinger blood was introduced in Germany. It is currently most populous in Italy, but the Austrian authorities are working to re-establish the line.
• ST-line. Founded by Student, born 1927. Although the ST-line has a large number of stallions, its geographic spread is limited because of unselective breeding in some countries. Germany and the US hold the most horses of this line outside Austria.
• W-line. Founded by Willi, born 1921. The W-line was threatened by crossbreeding early in its history, but maintains a strong presence in Holland, Canada and the US, with a smaller population in Austria.

Bolzano and Willi were great-great grandsons of Folie, while the rest were great-great-great grandsons. Especially in the early years of the breed's history, some inbreeding occurred, both by accident and design, which served to reinforce the dominant characteristics of the breed. During the 1980s and 1990s, several studies were conducted to examine morphological differences among the breed lines. It was found that there were significant differences in some characteristics, including height and proportions. These differences have been used to help achieve breeding objectives, especially in Italy during the 1990s.