THE ROAD-HACK 121 



find in discussing the mode in which the several paces are performed, the 



trot of our horses is somewhat different from that of the Americans, the 



knee in ours being more rounded, and the foot therefore reaching the 



ground with a greater tendency to " toe " it. With regard to shape, 



though, as in the race-horse, there is a particular formation which is more 



likely to give good hacking powers than any other, yet experience teaches 



every horseman that it cannot be relied on either negatively or positively. 



From a stable full of hacks no one would dream of making a selection 



without seeing them out, for it would be a hundred to one that the same 



animal would not be fixed upon before and after a trial. Every butcher's 



boy who has been a year or two in the trade will tell you that hacks, still 



more than race-horses, go in all shapes, and though oblique shoulders may be 



desirable, yet many a good hack is without. Action is the sine qud non, 



united to stoutness, temper, and soundness both of wind and limb, as well 



as of the eyes. A horse with a thick-loaded shoulder often makes a good 



hack, while a very thin one is not suited for long-continued journeys, its 



muscles soon tiring, and a trip, or series of trips, being the result. There 



are, however, one or two essentials in the shape of a good hack which 



should never be overlooked, let the action be what it may. Firstly, the 



shoulder-blade must be wide enough at its upper part and sufficiently 



clothed with muscle behind it to keep the saddle in its place, which may 



readily be ascertained by the most inexperienced person by putting one on 



and riding a mile or two, partly down-hill. The horseman knows at once 



whether the shape of this part is suitable, but practice is required for this, 



and unless it lias been obtained, it is better to leave nothing to chance, but 



to take the trouble to ascertain the face. Secondly, the jaws should be 



wide, and the head and neck so put together that they can be bent into 



proper form, without which the mouth cannot remain good, and no hack 



can be considered perfect. This, however, I have previously enlarged upon 



at great length, and therefore I need not repeat what I have written. I 



have alluded to the walk, trot, and gallop in mentioning the paces of the 



hack, but have said nothing of the canter, because it is not much used by 



gentlemen, on account of its wearing the off-leg out more than the trot, 



from the great stress laid upon that limb. Even if the lead is continually 



changed, more mischief is done by 10,000 hard blows than by 20,000 



comparatively gentle, and therefore, excepting on the turf by the side of 



the road, the canter should not be indulged in by the male sex. 



THE PARK-HACK should be the road-hack I have described with the most 

 showy form within reach ; but as this last is the point which is the most 

 attended to, an animal is often selected of the most worthless kind in other 

 particulars, either from some deficiency of constitution or infirmity of legs. 

 There are every year some scores of useless brutes turned out of the racing- 

 stables with legs which will not stand a preparation, in consequence of 

 their tendency to inflame and become unsound. Now, these horses are 

 often barely up to 11 stone, and also unfit for the hunting field, from de- 

 fective hocks, or from some peculiarity of temper which prevents their 

 taking to jump. They are " well topped " that is, well formed about the 

 head, neck, and body ; and to the inexperienced eye are very taking. 

 They may also have high action, and sometimes particularly so ; for the 



