The High-Stepping Hackney Group Of Horse And Pony

Many people think of the Hackney Horse as theand with a braided mane. They are hitched to a
English carriage horse but these well bred equines alsofour-wheel vehicle called a viceroy and are shown in
make very suitable riding horses and they are knownpairs.
for having excellent endurance and good tempers.The Hackney Harness Pony is also called the Long
They also have a distinctive high-stepping gait whichTail and this dynamic high-stepper stands 12.2 hands
makes them popular in the show ring, but it is true thatand under. It is shown with a long mane and an
most of the horses are trained for driving.undocked tail. They are hitched to a four-wheel vehicle
The Hackney Horse has its roots in the 1300's when acalled a viceroy and are also shown in pairs.
desire for a sturdy riding horse emerged in England inThe Hackney Roadster Pony, or Road Pony, is
the 14th century and various horses with incrediblepopular and speedy and measures below 13 hands. It
stamina and smooth gaits started to be bred. But thehas 3 separate trotting speeds: jog, road gait and at
modern Hackney Horse roots can be found in thespeed. It is shown hitched to a two-wheeled road bike
1700's in Norfolk, England, where the horses calledwith the drivers wear racing silks. They are also
Norfolk Trotters had been selectively bred for elegantshown under saddle by Junior Exhibitors wearing
style and speed. When people crossed the famousracing silks. In a new division, the Road Pony is raced
Norfolk Trotter mares with the grandsons of thehitched to a miniature doctor's buggy.
foundation sires of the newly emerging Thoroughbred,The Hackney Pleasure Pony is the newest variety
the result was the Hackney Horse, which blendedand stands 14.2 hands or under. These may be shown
desirable traits from both breeds. The first Hackney iseither as Long Tail or Cob Tail but with unbraided
said to be The Shale's Horse who was foaled in 1760.manes and tails and hitched to an appropriate pleasure
During the next 50 years, the Hackney was developedvehicle. They can be shown only by Amateurs or
as a special breed.Junior Exhibitors in any of the following gaits: pleasure
In the early 1880's the name Hackney was chosen fortrot, road trot, and flat walk. They must be able to
the breed because it was non-geographical and wasstand quietly in the line-up and back up when asked. It
also the name of one of the carriages that it wasis well mannered, quiet, and a pleasure to drive.
often seen driving. The British Hackney Horse SocietyIn contrast, the Hackney Horse must stand over 14.2
(BHHS) was formed in 1883 to provide a registry andhands to approximately 16.2 hands and is shown in a
to formalize the breeding of the horse.variety of ways, such as the many different driving
The first Hackney Pony was imported to America inand carriage events, as singles, pairs, tandems, four in
1878 and in 1891 the American Hackney Horse Societyhand, and obstacle with some also being shown under
(AHHS) was founded and affiliated with the Englishsaddle as dressage, eventing and trail riding. Some
Hackney Society (CEHS) and maintains the registry ofpeople also rely on the Hackney's sound feet and
the Hackney Horse and Hackney Pony. From 1890intelligence to help them through challenging courses of
until the Depression, wealthy Americans andcompetitive jumping.
Canadians imported boatloads of horses and ponies ofThe Hackney has a small, refined head like its
the most noted strains to be used as fancy carriageThoroughbred ancestors, along with a muscular,
horses. When trotting races began to lose theircompact body and long neck. There should be a
popularity in the second half of the 19th century, thegeneral impression of alertness. The Hackney can
breed was gradually transformed into the show horsehave either a long or a docked tail that is carried high.
that we see today.They have a bright spirit, and gentleness, along with
Up to that point, there were 2 types of Hackneyintelligence and responsiveness when well trained.
Horse - the heavier coach type and the light horseBoth the Hackney Horse and the Hackney Pony, have
similar to today's horse. Along with the Hackney Horse,a good reputation for soundness. In order to be
there are four types of Hackney ponies. The Hackneyaccepted into the Hackney studbook, the modern
Pony is smaller with distinct pony traits and evolved inHackney must be black, brown, bay or chestnut with
the span of a few years in the 1870's in England. Itsome small white markings permitted.
was developed by Christopher Wilson who crossedBut the most identifiable trait of a Hackney Horse is
Hackney Horses with Fell Ponies and Welsh Ponies,their incredibly flexible knees that give these horses a
which are extremely hardy British ponies well knownhigh stepping, showy gait, especially in the trot. This
for their sassy attitude and surefootedness. The ponyaction of Hackney is the hallmark of the breed and
has all the speed, action and courage of the horse butoften amazes the first time Hackney viewer.
is a true pony with pony character. Hackney poniesAccording to the AHHS, the gait is described thusly:
have a reputation for being tenacious yet every bit as"Shoulder action is fluid and free with a very high,
strong as their horse relatives. The differences are inground covering knee action. Action of the hind legs is
their sizes, show ring performance and thesimilar but to a lesser degree. The hocks should be
appearance of their mane and tail. The pony wasbrought under the body and raised high. All joints should
actively imported by United States as the horse was.exhibit extreme flexion. The action must be straight
The Hackney Pony is also known as the Cob Tail andand true. The whole effect must be arresting and
is a dynamic high-stepper that stands 14.2 hands andstartling, showing extreme brilliance.
under. These ponies are shown with a shortened tail