CHAPTER VIII 



THE HACKNEY 



THIS breed of horses, recently introduced into the 

 United States, has attracted marked attention. The 

 hackney has a peculiarly striking and pleasing appear- 

 ance difficult to describe. His chief charms consist in 

 high action, unusual symmetry and snap. Though 

 not so speedy as the trotter nor so well adapted to 

 equestrianism as the American saddle-horse, nor so 

 good for moving heavy loads as the draft-horse, yet he 

 fills a useful place not occupied by any other breed. 

 He is stout, active, sure-footed, courageous and pos- 

 sessed of a good constitution and a lovely temper. A 

 good specimen of this breed satisfies the eye, whether 

 he be viewed from the ground, the road -wagon or the 

 saddle. His neck is well set on, all-embracing where 

 it meets the shoulders, arched and long enough to be 

 beautiful. The head is clean and intelligent, the ears 

 small and attractive. The back is ideal for the work 

 usually demanded of him, being short and strong, 

 while the hind quarters are long and powerful. The 

 legs and feet appear slightly larger in proportion to 

 size than do the speedier trotters', yet they are far 

 from being coarse or draft -like. His limbs are flexible 

 and are set on the body symmetrically. 



The illustration (Fig. 17) shows a typical specimen 

 (110) 



