THE HACKNEY 



69 



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 gait of the Hackney originally had its chief value in a long, 

 strong trot for road work. With the evolution of years the fashion 

 of modern times called for the high stepper with extravagant 

 action. The horse Confidence 158 (English studbook) was the 

 sire of many horses of this type of gait, and, as some think, to 

 the detriment of the breed, though "the get of Confidence yielded 

 a larger total profit than any other horse of his day." While the 

 fancy city trade desires matched pairs with very high action, this 

 is inconsistent with the most graceful or forceful movement. The 

 ideal Hackney has a perfect walk, and a trot associated with 

 a powerful stride. The feet are carried clear and full from the 

 ground and are strongly and actively raised at the knee, while 

 the hock is carried forward under the body with much grace, 

 strength, and action. 



The soundness of this breed has been much emphasized. At 

 the first show of Hackneys held in Agricultural Hall, London, 

 in 1885, it is said that over twenty stallions from four to sixteen 

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

 some years the English Hackney Society, in its shows, has had 

 the horses on exhibition examined for soundness, and the animals 

 have had to undergo a veterinary examination before being sub- 

 mitted to the judges. The following figures show the results of 

 examinations for five different years. 



The color of the Hackney varies, but chestnuts at present 

 seem in great favor. Bays and browns always have been popu- 

 lar and common, while black, roan, buckskin, and sorrel occur 



