838 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



We will adopt here, as in the preceding groups, the distinctions estab- 

 lished in commerce. 



i. The Hackney. 



Adaptation. The saddle-horse of pure luxury, which is reserved 

 for the promenade and for display, and which is put to no other use, is 

 the hackney. He occupies, in the list of saddle-horses, the same place 

 as the large coach-horse among the coach-horses, that is to say, the 

 first rank. He is chosen for gentlemen or for ladies and young men. 

 In the first case, he is generally larger, more nervous, better bred, 

 higher, and has a longer gait ; his price is also higher. 



Height. For a man, a hackney of 1.55 metres to 1.62 metres is 

 needed; for ladies and young men, he may be smaller, since he is 



FIG. 339. Hackney. 



Gelding belonging to the Princess of Metternich. (Reproduced from a photograph belonging to 



M. Delton.) 



intended to carry less weight; his height also varies from 1.54 metres 

 to 1.60 metres. 



Preferred Coats. These are, indisputably, the dark shades : 

 the bay, brown bay, golden or burnt sorrel. The gray coats, on 

 account of their resemblance to those of common horses, are but little 

 valued. 



