Hackney Horse

It is not entirely clear where the name Hackney comes from, but it is believed that it originated from the old French word haquenee, "an ambling horse or mare especially for ladies to ride on". It may also be related to the old Spanish hacanea and the old Portuguese facanea. In the 14th century the word was Latinised in English as hakeneius. The Hackney originated in the late 17th century as a descendent of the famous English trotting horses, the Norfolk Roadster and the Yorkshire Trotter. The Hackney Pony was developed during the second half of the 18th century by Westmorland breeder Christopher Wyndham Wilson who used a variety of pony breeds, especially Fell ponies, as base mares crossing them with the handsome Hackney stallion Sir George, foaled in 1866 and standing at less than 14hh. Other breeders followed his example and a breed with real pony characteristics developed. In the second half of the 19th century the high stepping action, the Hackney is famous for, was developed when it became fashionable to drive elegant, showy carriage horses. This action was partly inherited and can be refined by training. The Hackney Horse Society originally recommended a height of 14.4hh which was later reduced to 14hh.