v HACKNEYS 65 
big enough, say 15.3 hands high, he is doubtless an 
excellent carriage horse ; but then he is no longer a 
hackney. The hackney of 15 hands—what is he in 
trade? He is a smart trapper as long as he is fresh, 
but likely often to lose his chief attraction—his high, 
fast action—in hard work, or to knock up his legs, 
ankles, or feet in perpetual hammering on the hard 
road. As for his name, it isa misnomer; he is about 
the most uncomfortable and fatiguing hack that can 
be devised, and though often a hardy, handy, plucky 
little horse, and a pleasure to look at, there is no 
trade except that of “ trapper ” that cannot be better 
filled by another breed. The real carriage horse is 
his superior in harness in respect of strength and 
size, should approach him in action, and at least 
equal him in appearance. The blood hack is 
immeasurably his superior in comfort and ease, in 
every pace ; the high-stepping trot, the rough canter, 
and the jolting gallop of the one cannot for a 
moment be compared with the easy walk, the swift, 
smooth trot, the swinging, gentle canter and even 
gallop of the other. No man who appreciates 
comfort in riding would get on to a hackney 
whilst he has either hack or hunter in his stable. 
There will always be some people who like to air 
themselves in the Row or elsewhere on a horse that 
carries himself so much better than his rider, and 
which will attract attention by his showy action, his 
mould, his conceitedly-carried head, prettily-arched 
neck, and general appearance of being well pleased 
with himself; and this being so, I would not say a 
word to discourage any man who has a fancy to 
breed hackneys. Itcan be done profitably if proper 
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