Hack (horse)
| Hack (horse) | |
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| Important data | |
| Origin: | Great Britain |
| Main breeding area: | |
| Distribution: | |
| Stick measure : | 147-160 cm |
| Colors : | all pure colors |
| Main application area: | Equestrian sport |
A hack is an elegant type of competition horse. Most of the hacks are actually thoroughbreds or crossbreeds between thoroughbreds and Anglo-Arabs, so they are mostly hot-blooded. They are generally 1.47 to 1.60 m tall and can be any solid color.
Background information on horse evaluation and breeding can be found under: Exterior , interior and horse breeding .
Exterior
The hack should have an extremely noble head with a straight profile. The neck should correspond to a "good rein length" and be elegant and well developed. The chest should be broad and deep - but not too wide - and the shoulders should be perfectly shaped. They should drop off slightly to allow for the signature, free flowing, shallow, and pliable gait the hack is known for. The back of the hacks should be neither too long nor too short, and perfectly proportioned, with a good belt depth and a well-shaped chest. The hindquarters should be round but not overly heavy. The hack should have good healthy legs that are free from bumps or scars. However, the legs must not be too slim, and the width of the bone under the pastern joint should be at least 8 inches. The hind legs must be particularly straight with a pronounced lower leg.
interior
A hack is expected to have a calm pace, a strong personality and an elegant demeanor on the tournament ground.
Breeding history
There were two types of hack during the 19th century: the covert hack and the park hack. The difference between them was quite big. The Covert Hack was used to bring its rider to hunting rendezvous and was an elegant, high quality thoroughbred horse. He had to have good manners and a good smooth gait. Since he was not used for hunting, he had no stamina and strength, and his ability to gallop was of only minor importance. The Covert Hack doesn't exist anymore. In today's show classes for riding horses you are most likely to find horses that follow this type. These horses were really nice to look at, but they didn't have the same elegance and grace as the Show Hack.
The Park Hack was the horse on which fine society used to ride in popular areas like Rotten Row in London. They had to have extremely good manners and a lot of charisma in order to showcase their rider as best as possible. The modern counterpart of the Park Hack is the Show Hack, for which there are different show classes. The Show Hack can be presented individually or in pairs, the latter being particularly impressive. There are individual classes for small hacks (1.47 - 1.52 m), large hacks (1.52 - 1.60 m) and ladies hacks (1.47 - 1.60 m), which are presented under the side saddle . The hacks are shown in walk, trot and canter; each horse has to give an individual performance and is also ridden by the judge.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Elwyn, Hartley, Edwards: Horses - The New Encyclopedia, pp. 404f., ISBN 3831012733
