THE HACKNEY 



75 



hands. In 1885 the Royal Agricultural Society of England, at 

 the request of the Hackney Studbook Society, increased the 

 standard height for the breed to 15^ hands, and the class was 

 well filled. There are Hackney ponies under 14 hands, Hackney 

 cobs larger than ponies, and "Hackney coachers over 16 hands. 



The soundness of the Hackney has been made a subject of 

 special study by the English Hackney Society. At the first show 

 of Hackneys in London, in 1885, some twenty mature stallions 



FIG. 24. Hildred, one of the most perfect Hackney mares in the history of the 



American show ring. Imported and owned by the late Eben D. Jordan, Boston, 



Massachusetts. From photograph by courtesy of Mr. Jordan 



were selected by the judges as absolutely sound. For many years 

 the Hackney Society made a rule that only sound horses, passing 

 a veterinary -examination, should compete in the annual show of 

 the breed. Thousands of horses have been examined, with per- 

 centages of rejection ranging about five, a rather remarkable and 

 creditable showing. 



Half-bred or grade Hackneys have been looked upon with favor 

 in Great Britain, while in France Hackney stallions have had 

 much influence. A study of pedigrees will show an important 



