Hackney horses (also known as Roadsters) were developed in
England and greatly improved as a result of a mandate by King Henry VIII. They
are considered one of the finest United Kingdom breeds. English society wanted
a horse that could carry their heads high, that could have an interesting gait,
and could have their knees lifted with ease. Hackney horses fit that demand and
were further bred to improve those features, often with the infusion of Arab
blood lines. In the late eighteen hundreds, the Hackney horses began their very
own studbook and went on to be produced all over the entire world.
It is believed that Hackney horse got their name from the
French word 'Haquenee', which means 'riding horse'. You can find them in
France, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Their Arab blood line influences
give them a different look and overall appearance from the other horse breeds
that one can find roaming around the United Kingdom.
They have excellent stamina and endurance. They are noted as
having very energetic personalities and can be showy, wise, and playful.
Hackney horses stand at around fifteen hands in full grown
size. They are bred in various colors such as bay, brown, chestnut, and black.
They have a refined arched head, level croup, sloping shoulders, and a very
high set tail. They have ideal withers for harness work and bode lots of
muscles.
About Hackney Horses
