Horse Breeds: Hackney

In the late 17th and early 18th century, rutted tracks were replaced with smooth roads in Great Britian, at least in the cities. This meant that the heavy cart horses of previous centuries were just too bulky and slow for the new carriages that were developed. A light, fast carriage horse was needed, and this is where the Hackney has its roots.

Thought to be descended from Friesians, the Hackney horse was selectively bread from the Arabian, the Norfolk Trotter, the Thoroughbred, and the Yorkshire Roadster. The Hackney was beautiful and had a lovely gait, but that wasn't all that led to their widespread use. When it became known that the Hackney could trot 60 miles in a single day, the demand for these lovely horses outshone the supply very quickly.

The Hackney ranges in size from 14 to 15.3 hands high. The smaller of the horses are more accurately referred to as ponies. Regardless of size, the Hackney horse is an elegant equine with a small head, delicate muzzle, and pretty little ears. They have a high-stepping gait that is their trademark and a lean and graceful body. Hackneys can be found in most colors and patterns, including bay, black, brown, and chestnut. Spotted hackneys, though unusual, are not unheard of and are particularly lovely.

Today, the American Hackney Horse Society is the most popular society to deal with this lovely show horse. Known for its graceful trot, this horse breed is a popular driving horse is found often in the show ring.