THE HEAVY-HARNESS BREEDS OF HORSES 45 



hacquenee, which he states was recognized as far back as 

 the year 1303. Chaucer also used the word " hakeney " 

 or " hacknay," but does not give any clue as to the class 

 of horse referred to. Cully, an early English writer on 

 live-stock subjects, does not mention the Hackney. Law- 

 rence, however, in some of his writings, gives us an inkling 

 as to its application, and, as stated, it meant a roadster. 



44. Origin. The development of the Hackney into 

 a breed may be traced to definite stimuli, which have been 

 noticeable and in operation with more or less force in the 

 development of several other breeds of horses. In the 

 evolution of the breeds of light horses, there may be said 

 to be a district suitable for rearing light horses of quality, 

 which implies a soil well-drained, either light, hilly or 

 underlaid with limestone, with good grass, all of which 

 should indicate wholesome grazing conditions. With these 

 associate men who love a horse, and let them be inspired 

 with a definite aim, and the breed takes form and becomes 

 popular according to the force and growth of the demand 

 and ideals. A variety of sources are invariably drawn on, 

 frequently very diverse in some attributes, but somewhat 

 similar in the breed characteristics desired ; and, these once 

 secured, the aim becomes to concentrate and multiply them. 



With these general conditions in view, let us bring their 

 particular application to the Hackney. As bearing on 

 this, and also to show that these factors were recognized 

 by horsemen at a very early day, a quotation from I-aw- 

 rence will suffice : " Light soils and a hilly surface of 

 ground generally produce clean, vigorous and active 

 horses, and probably there is no county in England where 

 a better sort are bred than in Shropshire. Yorkshire and 

 Lincolnshire are celebrated for carriage horses, and many 

 very good ones are reared in those districts." Yorkshire 



