102 TYPES AND BREEDS 



Dutch stock has been suggested as a possible source of this. 

 There were big black trotters in Friesland, but they showed no 

 such speed at this gait as did the Norfolk Cob. Perhaps the 

 speed, courage, and stamina of the Thoroughbred, coupled with 

 the natural inclination to trot of the colder blooded Friesland 

 " hart-draver," resulted in the square-gaited, fast, enduring, and 

 rather high going Norfolk trotter. 



Tlie real hegmning of the Hachney breed is fixed at the 

 original Shales horse, foaled 1760, by Blaze, Thoroughbred race 

 horse, three generations removed from the Darley Arabian, out 

 of a stout, common, probably hunting mare of Norfolk. 



Families conspicuous in the history of the breed have been 

 the Fireaways, the Denmarks, the Danegelts and the Purick- 

 willows. Leading sires at the present time are Polonius, 

 Mathias, Royal Danegelt, and His Majesty. 



With the improvement in roads and vehicles, Hackneys were 

 used more in harness, and their naturally high, trappy step was 

 cultivated. They have eventually become the harness horse par 

 excelleitce in America as in England. 



Description. — Typical Hackneys are comparatively short 

 legged horses, rarely standing over 1.5—3, although they weigh 

 well for their stature. They are of true harness form most uni- 

 formly of any of the breeds (Fig. 74). Their heads are square 

 in outline, deep in the jowl ; necks well crested, but frequently 

 too strong, lacking finish at the throttle, and giving a heavy 

 forehand. 



Natural action, especially in hocks, is perhaps their most 

 distinguishing feature ; but it must not be a labored action that 

 hits the ground hard. 



Color. — Chestnut color, with flashy white markings all 

 'round, has been most common, although bays, browns, roans, and 

 blacks are all acceptable. Originally, hard, solid colors pre- 

 dominated in the breed. 



Popularity. — The Hackney's premier position in the show 

 ring in this country is only occasionally contested by represen- 

 tatives of any other breed, and they contribute largely to the 

 ranks of the park harness horse. The Hackney stallion is strong 



