56 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



a marketable product is a factor that has to be considered, 

 as well as the breed characteristics. However useful 

 pure-bred horses may be, yet the degree to which they 

 may contribute to the general improvement of the horses 

 of a country is a broader and more influential factor 

 entering into their standing. In this respect, the Hackney 

 has established a reputation. On our common mares of 

 much quality and some action, the Hackney makes a 

 desirable cross. As Johnstone says, " the similarity of 

 action I count the most salient of its features," and it is 

 because this mechanical action is so deeply bred into the 

 Hackney that it is, perhaps, the most likely of any of the 

 European light horses to transmit it. It seems to be 

 easier to produce the type than it is to secure the natural 

 heavy-harness action. The tendency toward this action 

 and type is surely stronger in the produce of the Hackney, 

 because the breed itself has been bred for years for just 

 those things ; yet it is not safe to assume that it will come 

 spontaneous to the service without proper mannering and 

 encouragement. 



53. Distribution. The good qualities of the Hackney 

 have attracted world-wide attention, and, as a conse- 

 quence, it is now found in many lands. In general, from 

 England it has gone out into France, Germany, Holland, 

 Denmark, Belgium, Spain, Italy, far east into Japan and 

 south into Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and west- 

 ward into the Argentina in South America, and into 

 Canada and the United States in North America. It is 

 pressing its way into every land where heavy-harness 

 horses are in demand. In America, the Hackney is bred 

 in the largest numbers east of the Mississippi river, but 

 numbers of the breed have become very broadly scattered 

 over the states and provinces. 



