THE HEAVY-HARNESS BREEDS OF HORSES 50 
The Hackney is more carefully kept and is never tried 
out in the sense that our trotting horses are, consequently 
it should be sounder and always fresher. The fact re- 
mains that the Hackney as a breed is unusually free from 
unsoundness. Since the Shire Horse Society of England 
wisely decided, in 1885, that all horses at their annual 
show should undergo veterinary examination conducted 
by three qualified veterinarians, other societies have 
followed the system, although with most of them only 
one veterinarian acts. In regard to the Hackney, it may 
be stated that the Hackney Horse Society for the past 
seventeen years has subjected the entries to its show to 
veterinary examination, and the percentage rejected has 
been very small. Of course, when such a system is in 
vogue, much carefulness on this point would be observed 
by exhibitors ; consequently it is hardly a complete index 
to the prevalence of unsoundness in the breed as a whole. 
However, combined with general observation, the figures 
bear out the point that unsoundness is not very prevalent. 
In the years from 1896 to 1904, inclusive, 2108 of the 
horses were examined, and 106 of these were rejected, 
showing an average of not quite 5 per cent rejected. 
52. Uses of the Hackney. — From what has been 
written, it is clear that the special field for the Hackney 
is the production of heavy-harness horses, for the breed 
in itself has been specifically bred for that purpose. The 
high knee-folding action and attractive appearance, either 
standing or in motion, adapt it for the production of stylish 
heavy-harness horses for city driving. Possessing these 
qualities, with the substance and smoothness of type to 
wear heavy leather becomingly, the Hackney as a breed 
has superior claims. 
The degree to which a breed may be useful in producing 
