152 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



the trotter, sold for $150,000, and Dan Patch, the pacer, 

 was purchased for $60,000. The automobile has largely 

 displaced the trotting and pacing horse, so that they now 

 have no great value outside of purposes for which horses of 

 light weight can be used, such as driving, racing, and in 

 certain kinds of business where no special draft power is 

 required. Our people would be much better off to-day if we 

 raised but a limited number of light harness horses, and only 

 the higher class ones at that. Unless exhibiting remarkable 

 speed, they command very low prices. 



The Hackney horse is a breed that was first produced in 

 eastern England, especially in Suffolk and Norfolk counties. 

 In these regions the trotting gait has long been popular. The 

 claim is made that this breed began important development 

 about 1755, with a horse called Shales. He traced back to 

 the Darley Arabian, to which the Thoroughbred is related. 

 The Hackney is very common in England, but not in Amer- 

 ica. It is a breed that varies considerably in size, ranging 

 from a pony to a good-sized carriage horse. When of suit- 

 able size, standing about 16 hands high, it is what is known 

 as a heavy harness or carriage horse. A Hackney of good 

 type is very attractive of head; has a long, arching neck; a 

 fuller chest than a trotter; is strong and short of back; has a 

 long, full-rounded hind quarter; a beautiful round, smooth 

 body; and stands squarely on short, clean-cut legs, and good 

 feet. Chestnut is a very popular color, as is bay, and brown. 

 This horse is noted for the powerful manner in which he 

 moves the legs in the trot. He has a bold stride, lifting the 

 knees higher than any other breed, and carrying the hind 

 legs forward with distinct power. The Hackney gait is a 

 model in the opinion of many lovers of high-class carriage 

 horses. If he is what is termed a high actor, that is, moves 

 his knees up high rather than far forward, he will have a 

 short stride which is somewhat slow, and is termed a " trappy 

 gait." The movement is both ugly and undesirable. 



