380 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER 



BOOK. Ill 



A horse bred from Hackneys whose pedigrees can be traced back for 

 years is certain to have action, and action always commands money,. 



The following description of a stallion, written by Richard Lawrence 

 in 1816, is well illustrated by the modern champion, winner at three 

 London Shows, viz., Reality, sire Confidence (D'Oyley's) 158 : 



" The proper stallion for breeding road horses should be what is 

 called half-bred, with a small head and well-turned neck issuing high 

 out of his breast, shoulders deep and not too narrow at the upper part 

 or withers, rather a broad chest, especially behind the elbow, long 

 muscular arm and short shank. He should go light in hand, with 

 great liberty in his shoulders, and the knee should be elevated and 



Fig. 82. Hackney Stallion, "Evolution" (2058). 



The Property of Mr. Harry Livesey, Rotherfield, Sussex. 



advanced during the trot so as to be seen by the rider projecting 

 beyond the breast. His back should be short and ribbed home, his 

 girth large, his belly round. His hind quarters should be bold and 

 muscular, and not too long in the thigh or leg." 



Given such a stallion as this and well-bred Hackney mares, the 

 usual uncertainty of breeding would be reduced to a minimum. 



PONIES. The height of a pure-bred Shetland pony will range from 

 8J to 9 hands. He is, says the " Live Stock Journal," often very 

 handsome, with a small head, intelligent countenance, short neck, fine 

 towards the throttle, back short, quarters expanded and powerful, legs 

 flat and fine, and pretty round feet ; ribs laid on until within about 

 two inches of the hip bone, having great width and depth over the 

 heart and lungs ; shoulders well sloped, forearm and thighs strong 



