Why do People Not want to own Hackneys?

[hackneylass2]

(Following on from Shil's thread....)

Or if they do; why do they just drive them? A good Hackney feels like a well-sprung sofa to ride.
Endangered breed, despite being fab all-rounders, amazingly good doers, long lived and very intelligent/quirky.

I can see the tumbleweed getting ready to blow in Hackney?

BTW Katherine 1975's coloured cob looks fab! (I'm not Cobist)

 

[Enfys]

Are they really that rare? I see literally hundreds of them every year, and that's just show stock, so presumably there are a lot more behind the scenes?

I can't say why people don't want hackneys, they are popular here as driving horses, never seen ridden classes for them. I think that is possibly because there are so many other types available here, why ride a driving horse when you have so many others to hand? Apart from your regular Appys, QH's and Paints, take gaited breeds for example, just locally within 200 miles I know where I can pick up Pasos - Peruvian and Fino, TWHs, Rocky Mountains and Fox Trotters.

 

[Miss-rose]

I love hackneys we breed them and they are soooo intelligent it's unreal the foals are so much more independent and switched on than any of the other foals we have.

 

[CrazyMare]

My mare is pb hackney and tbh you can see the effect of the hackney in her movement. That's the but we want to breed out because it isnt a desirable trait in a competition pony

 

[Silent Knight]

Never had one, but a very experianced driver told me that they are like a "ball of fire at the end of the reins". We did take this quote into consideration when buying out driving horses.

Maybe it's reputation? They are very beautiful though

 

[rockysmum]

I watch them every year at the big counties. I always think what beautiful horses but they appear very highly strung and hot. I have actually thought I wouldn't like to ride them. Perhaps thats just the way they are presented for the showring, but I bet it puts a lot of people off.

 

[Clippy]

very intelligent/quirky.

It's the quirky bit that puts me off...

 

[Orangehorse]

They have been bred to have a high stepping action, which isn't all that comfortable to ride, like a sewing machine. Riding horses have been bred to have a long comfortable stride. But I expect people are happy to ride them. The Park Morgans ride and drive, although they are ridden saddleseat to show off their high stepping action.

I think one of David Broome's early show jumpers was a hackney and they couldn't get him to canter!

 

[Puppy]

Personally, I'm not keen on their movement.

But everyone has different taste in horses

 

[katastrophykat]

i love a good hackney x section D for driving- one day i will have one! plenty in the HDT world- anything that helps the dressage marks is a bonus!!

 

[riding_high]

i love hackneys, we used to own one many years ago.

i always keep a look out for a nice hackney to own but so far haven't found one cheap enough or one that's backed.

 

[Natz88]

We had one few years ago & he was like a time bomb waiting to go off, but one day he did go off & put my mum in hosipital & we then found out he had put previous owners in hospital, so we would not have one again, but thats personal choice.

 

[debsg]

I had a pb Hackney pony as a teenager. He was fabulous! We had a go at everything successfully but his best discipline was jumping. We got to the Junior Foxhunter finals. xx

 

[FanyDuChamp]

They have been bred to have a high stepping action, which isn't all that comfortable to ride, like a sewing machine.

Sorry I disagree, my lad is a Gelderlander, another high stepping breed and he is a really comfy ride. Granted the huge trot takes some getting used to but he has paces to die for and is wonderful to ride!
FDC

 

[Ginger Bear]

My mums's uncle breeds hackneys & my cousin owns & breeds them also.. his two that are both ride & drive, one youngster & some mares & foals.. When I've been to the big county shows with him, it's very much a 'mans world' they're all hard men & all use the very old 'traditional' not necessarily kind ways of training/ dealing with their horses.. They also feed them loads of hard feed, i mean like a bucket-ful & only a section of hay twice a day.. they say that horse fed ad-lib hay have 'hay bellies'.. maybe this has something to do with their hyper nature?? Nearly all his hackneys are also head shy.. I've found the old school men think they know everything & they just live in their own circle giving eachother advise so they never learn a new or better way.. I've also ridden them & I love them..so much fun & so comfortable..

 

[EllieK]

We have a hackney x welsh d ride and drive mare and she has far more talent and ability in ridden dressage then my ISH will ever have! I'd have another like a shot without a second thought. They are a little hot sometimes though. For what its worth our mare is more then capable of a true extension in trot so the high step isn't always dominant to the stride I love them!

 

[HappyHackney]

Hi, I have a Hackney x Sec D I rescued him from a horse sales two years ago he was battered and very depressed ! I had no knowledge of Hackney x before I resucued Thomas...He has been driven most of his life I have found out by tracing his history on his passport. But I ride him and he is very comfy he is not sharp, I have taught him to canter which to be honest is a very bouncy show jumper sort of canter very well paced Thomas glides beautifuly over jumps, I love his trot he covers the ground so well. Yes Thomas is quirky he is a worrier... But he is also very loyal he dosent really like other people riding him and he goes in to a massive huff if I go on holiday lol, it takes him a few days for him to be my freind again. If I would go for this breeding again I would get it trained up for Endurance Riding because the stamina and paces this cross has is awsome. But unfortunatley for Thomas he doesnt like traveling so its no Endurance for him aww

 

[fallenangel123]

My old mare was a hackney, she was so sharp to hack I bought a stock saddle! She could do a lovely dressage test, but couldn't jump to save her life. You could ride her just by sitting quiet and using your seat and weight to give aids, she was lovely.
After 14 years together I lost her last November, my new girl is a fell and I actually have to use my legs again! It's such hard work!

 

[Parker79]

I think they are beautiful and I love the action - cannot afford another horse but I would certainly consider one.

OP - any pictures of yours would be lovely

I have a friesian...only just got him...when I mention what I have bought some people smile and say 'how lovely' and some pull faces!

I think some breeds are 'marmite' horses. Either love it or hate it!

 

[B_2_B]

I don't know, we had one and she was an absolute darling.
She was rescued after being all but abandoned in a field for at least 2 years by herself, she used to pull carriages and it was sad where she ended up She took a long time to learn to be a horse again but she had the trot to die for and if you could get her to canter (she could trot as fast as the others canter so she didn't see a reason to ) it was very comfy!

She was pts last year and I miss her a lot, this thread about sums her up and has some pictures http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=457987

 

[gingerthing]

My first horse was a hackney x D, he was absolutely beautiful. Black with 4 whites and a star. Im desperate to trace him and find out how he is doing, would be around 15 now.

He was a fantastic mover and a very comfortable ride, although was very strong and challenging. A real jekyl & hyde

 

[ebonyallen]

My last boy was a Hackney x and he was fantastic, did everything with him, very bold brave jumped anything you put in front of him sadly missed

 

[walkers_dream]

I love hackneys alas to fat to ride one

 

[mulledwhine]

I would love one, would have no idea where to start looking for one.

I have a victorian print of rather smart gentlemen riding hackneys in a park

 

[LaurenBay]

My YO has just bought an 8 month YO Hackney x section D. She is lovely! Chestnut with a white blaze and 4 white stockings, fantastic paces!! She is a friensly girl and quick learner. Not much phases her. But she is a handful at times . She will be for sale soon.

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I have a Gelderlander, who has plenty of Hackney blood running through his veins. He is the most awesome horse I have ever owned. He jumps, he does dressage, he hacks, he hunts. He's the absolute all rounder and very comfy too. He has a fabulous big, loose action, that means I usually get super dressage marks and comments. We're now competing Ele. My trainer has said that he’ll find it incredibly easy to passage when the time comes.

He's not a novice owner’s horse though, as he's quite smart and quite devious, and big - with a very similar temperament to a Hafflinger, just he's a giant one! I like that though - We mutually respect each other, and his slightly tricky temperament keeps me focused.

 

[Goldenstar]

I would love a welsh section D hackney cross but have no idea where to get one any ideas of studs etc that breed them and are good gratefully recieved.

 

[Minnies_Mum]

My favourite pony in the world is a hackney x sec D, 25 years old now and he's still fiery and strong with me, but will now poddle along for a novice. I adore him

 

[LaurenBay]

Just out of curiosity how much would you be willing to pay for a Hackney x section D yearling filly? She has amazing paces and very good temprament. Fast learner and very friendly. Chestnut with 4 white stockings and white stripe down her face. Has had basic handling. Not for sale yet, but very curious. Thanks

 

[Goldenstar]

Just out of curiosity how much would you be willing to pay for a Hackney x section D yearling filly? She has amazing paces and very good temprament. Fast learner and very friendly. Chestnut with 4 white stockings and white stripe down her face. Has had basic handling. Not for sale yet, but very curious. Thanks

How big is she likely to make ?