Origin
United Kingdom
History
In the 19th century, two types of hack were recognized in the UK: the „covert hack" and the „park hack". The covert hack was an attractive or very handsome Thoroughbred riding horse that carried its rider at a smooth canter to the meet on hunting days. It was required to be well mannered and confortable to ride. It no longer exist either in the hunting field or in the show ring. On the other hand, the park hack corresponds exactly to the modern exhibit in hack classes.
Essentially, Thoroughbreds are bred to race, but some that are found unsuitable for that purpose may find their way to the show ring as hacks. The hack is not bred deliberately, but it is found all over the UK and Ireland where there are Thoroughbred or Anglo-Arabian horses available. Hacks are also produced, almost always from Thoroughbreds, in South Africa and Australia, where show classes incline towards the British pattern.
Description
- Head:
a neat, quality head tapering to the muzzle, but without concavity in the profile, is the hallmark of the hack - Conformation:
-light, long, elegant neck
-prominent withers
-long, perfectly sloped shoulders
-the body and the line of the back are as near perfect as possible. The horse is deep through the girth and the ribs are well sprung
-rounded quarters but never heavy
-long and graceful legs with 8 in of bone expected below the knee - Average height:
14.2 h.h. until 15.3 h.h. - Colour:
all solid colours - Temperament:
it is expected to have great presence and very good manners - Today:
still, in the show ring, the hack evokes a more gracious age. There are three classes for single hacks, and classes for pairs. The single hack classes are for small hacks standing at 14.2-15hh, large hacks of 15-15.3hh, and ladies´hacks between 14.2-15.3hh. Classes for ladies´hacks, and for ladies´hunters, are ridden sidesaddle and are one of the attractive sights to be seen in British show rings. The hack is expected to be supremely elegant with beautifully light paces and manners to match. There should be no difficulty in riding it with one hand.
