BREED SHOWCASE – HACKNEY

History

The Hackney was once popular for riding long distances on the road, and also for light pulling. It is very fine-boned, descended from the Norfolk Roadster, a breed with similar oriental blood as the Thoroughbred. Then the two similar breeds were crossed, creating a Hackney.
Trotting horses were popular in England at the time, the Hackney Horse Society was founded in 1883, and the breed was developed for ridden and driven trotting races. They could trot at speeds of 16 miles per hour. Now, they are quite good as harness horses, moving with much action in the knee and hock, but they move with ease, lightness, and grace.

Appearance

The Hackney has a straight profile to the head, which rests on a crested, thickset neck, and strong, sloping shoulders with low withers. When it stands its hocks are out behind, belying the strength it displays when in action. The feet are extremely important, they should not be flat and spreading but relatively upright with a strong wall, especially at the heels. Hackneys are usually brown, bay, black, or chestnut, and often have white markings on the legs and tail. Hackneys range in height from 14 hands to 15.3 hands.

Uses

Hackneys were formerly popular for riding, but now they are used mainly as carriage horses. They are also used for competitive showing and driving, and can prove to be useful in cross breeding.

For More Information

Books

• Horse: The Complete Guide, by Mary Gordon Watson
• The Big Book of Horses, by Fran Ames & Lesley Bayley

Websites

• www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/hackney - Breeds of Livestock - Hackney Horse
• www.hackney-horse.org.uk/ - Hackney Horse Society Online 2005
• www.hackney-horses.com - Hackney Horses

© 2006 by Warren Wechsler for Horse Talk Radio