Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-04-19

/ Little is really known OF the origin OF
the hackney breed and this question must
always remain a matter of speculation.
That he owes some of his good qualities to
Arab crosses is probable. Where, but from
the Eastern horse, could he get the broad
/ forehead, the lofty carriage and high
Group, the brisk, cheerful temper, the ex-
treme docility combined with the resolute
courage, that alike mark the true hackney
and the Arabian horse? His stout, COM
pact, round body, his wide, strong back,
his powerful quarters, aud his trotting
astion, probably came from the native
English horse. We have more accurate
knowledge about the breeding of hackneys
during the past century. Much interest
ing and valuable information upon this
subject is given by Mr.. Henry Euren, Sec
retary OF the English Hackney Society, in
the introduction of the first volume of the
Studbook.
The facts collected by Mr.. Euren, and
the tabulated pedigrees which he has pre-
pared of number OF the favorite hackney
sires OF the present day, show that there
has been much crossing in OF eighteenth
century hackneys. The class has, no doubt,
been improved by this infusion OF blood of
the racer; but comparison of the modern
hackney with the description and por-
traits we have of his old fashioned pro-
genitors, shows that the characteristics OF
well preserved.
The distinguishing characteristics OF
the hackney are his intelligent head, of a
well-defined type, his strong, neck, his
round ,roomy barrel his short, strong back,
his well-arched loin and powerful quar-
tsrs, his short, strong, clean, well-placed
legs, his lofty carriage, and his action.
He has muscular conformation peculiar
to himself, and as he stands squarely ON
his legs, with head erect ard arched neck,
and bold, self-pOssessed outlook, he con-
veys an idea OF power and courage that
exactly illustrates the old expression, "He
is all hose."
As the perfect hackney is a "ride and
driven horse, equally in his place whether
in harness or mounted, he must also have
good shoulders. His are not thin, like
those OF the thoroughbred; on the con-
trary, rather thick through, but we'll
placed, deep and oblique, giving plenty of
length before the rider, and imparting
that pleasant, ,indescribable "feel" that de-
notes the true saddle horse.
There has been good deal OF discussion
in England lately as to the proper size of
the hackney. Mr.. Burdett-Coutts has
taken strong grounds in favor OF increas-
ing the size by careful selection of sires and
dams. Many old hackney breeders, on
the other hand, do not accept this view,
holding that with increased size the hack
ntA CudrdCttTiSllCS Will, W BItuJef OT less
extent, be bred out. Even MIR. Burdett-
Coutts places his limit at Is hands, 3 inches
The extreme range in height may, there
fore, be said to be from IA hands to lab.
Fifteen hands to 15.1 is,perhaps,the aver
age of the best individuals of the race.
The most valuable quality OF the hack
new, the one which, more than any other,
makes him such a favorite, is his action.
The extreme high action, " hich calls forth
rounds OF applause at the horse show and
is so much admired in the park, is not
common, nor is it, perhaps, desirable in
roadster. The action that horesmen
value, and that is possessed by all good
hackneys,is the call round, ''the "step and
go along" sort.
In speaking of his action, reference is
usually made only to his way of going in
the trot, but those who have had the pleas
ure OF riding really good saddle hackney
know that his walk is quite charsctistic.
Unlike the long, low, slouching walk of
the thoroughbred, the walk OF the hack
ney is quick and springy; heseems to step
out of the ground, lifting his rider at
every stride, and conveying an intimation
of surplus power that is quite delightful.