Equestrian Life June 2017

Photos courtesy of ES Photography/HOYS
how to...
JOANNE SHAW
The Difference
Between a Hack,
Riding Horse and
a Hunter
Show Producer Joanne Shaw Explains
All Show horses should have
good conformation. To include
quality flat bone with clean
limbs, good sloping shoulder with
a well set on head and neck. Strong
through the hind quarters with
true action. All Hacks, hunters and
riding horse display similar qualities
however they are categorized
depending on there type.
In years gone by the small hack was
the horse used by a gentleman to get
to the meet for hunting. His hunter
was hacked on steadily by the groom
and the man rode the small hack cross
country to arrive at the meet and get
on his hunter for the day.
SARAH CAREY OWNER
OF HOYS SUPREME HACK
CHAMPION PEARLY KING.
“for me a hack must have a
look at me star quality and be
very true to type. Nowadays
a lot of hacks we see are
intermediates and not of true
to hack type. from the moment
a hack walks into the ring
it should own it, be in self
carriage and full of quality
and elegance. Move from the
shoulder and cover the ground
effortlessly.”
Therefore, the small hack was strong
and sturdy but moved very well so he
was comfortable. His manners had to
be excellent to open gates and carry
the gentleman easily. The large hack
was the Park Hack that a gentleman
would ride in the park alongside a
lady’s carriage
Small Hack
Large Hack
HACK:
Small: exc 148cm not exc 154cm
Large: exc 158cm not exc 160cm
TYPE:
Thoroughbred type, to carry a average
adult. Quality and elegant. Movement
to be smooth and graceful with a true
pointing of the toe.
SHOW/FORMAT
The large hack was very beautiful to
look at. Hacks are not expected to
gallop. Manners are very important so
each rider is to show off this quality of
the horse will aids such as a rein back,
serpentine, walk to canter etc. This
can be shown in the individual show
that a rider must present before the
ride judge gets on. The ride judge will
want a pleasurable, light contact ride
with self carriage.
HUNTER:
Lightweight: to carry up to 12.7stone
16-16.2 hds to have 8 inch bone
Middleweight: to carry up 12.7 –
14stone over 16.2hds to have up to 9
inch of bone.
Heavyweight: to carry over 14stone.
Over 9inch bone over 17hds.
Small Hunter: Exc 148cm and not exc
158cm
TYPE:
The hunter must have conformation
to help the gentleman over the
hunting field so they must have good
quality bone and substance. Must be
able to cover the ground effortlessly.
You would expect to see a hunter to
have more of a knee action in the
trot. Most common seen in irish draft
horses.
38 June 2017 Equestrian Life