well-defined, the shoulder is powerful, long and gently sloping. The Hackneys have an average length of back, muscular, level croups, and powerful hindquarters. Their ribs are well-sprung. The tail is set high and carried high naturally. The legs are strong with broad, clean joints, long forearms and gaskins, with strong hocks, and pasterns medium in length, and are attached to round, fairly upright hooves. In the trot, they exhibit showiness and an exaggerated high knee and hock action due to very good flexion of their joints. Their action should be straight and true with a distinct moment of suspension. The front legs reach up high with sharply bent knees that are stretched well forward with a ground covering stride. Their hind legs are well propelled underneath them in a similar exaggerated action. In addition to inherent soundness and endurance, the Hackney Horse has proven to be a breed with an easy, rhythmic canter, and a brisk, springy walk. Hackneys have been exported into Australia, the United States and the Netherlands. In April 2022 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust declared the breed was at risk, with just 31 breeding females and 12 males left in the UK. References The Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies, by Tamsin Pickeral, Barnes & Noble Books, , p. 311. External links American Hackney Horse Society Hackney Horse and Pony Hackney Horse Society Horse breeds originating in England Horse breeds Conservation Priority Breeds of the Livestock Conservancy Animal breeds on the RBST Watchlist