218 THE HORSE BOOK. 



due and proper proportion, but the breeding of 

 Hackneys is not a game to be played promiscu- 

 ously. No one need think for instance that the 

 splendid action of the sire will be reproduced 

 in the progeny as it shows up in the parent. 

 Far from it; the aptitude for development is 

 transmitted, not the finished article. It is much 

 the same as with trotting or pacing speed. Did 

 any one ever hear of a champion Hildred com- 

 ing green from -the field or a Nancy Hanks, 

 2:04, emanating rough from the pasture? In 

 this way disappointment has often been ex- 

 perienced by those who have bred native mares 

 to Hackney stallions and discovered that the 

 action of the colts as three-year-olds did not 

 equal or at least approximate that of the sire. 

 Disappointment with the mating has then been 

 expressed and the colt sold to a dealer, only to 

 develop into a park horse of approved action. 



Medium size, from 14.3 to 15.2 hands, and 

 trappiness of action, together with much ro- 

 tundity of form and sloping shoulders are char- 

 acteristics of the Hackney in his best estate. 

 By trappiness of action I do not mean to con- 

 vey that a good-going Hackney picks his fore 

 feet up high and then 'slams them down hard 

 on the ground again very little in advance of 

 where they were elevated. Instead of this 

 rough and choppy action the Hackney should 

 advance his fore feet as though following the 

 rim of a rolling wheel,. not dwelling in his re- 



