Hack

A hack must not show overtly Arabian characteristics, which are frowned on in the ring. They are generally between 14.2 hh and 15.3 hh, and can be any solid colour.

The hack is the epitome of good breeding, perfect conformation, and manners - the aristocrat of the equine world!

Hack is a supremely elegant type of showhorse. The majority of hacks are actually   Thoroughbreds, or Thoroughbreds crossed with Anglo-Arabs, and are therefore mostly hot-blooded. 

Appearance
In appearance, it should have a head of exceptional quality, with a straight profile, no convexity or concavity. The neck should have 'good length of rein' and should be elegant and well defined.

They should be sufficiently broad and deep through the chest, but not too broad, and should have perfect conformation of the shoulders.

The shoulders need to be nicely sloping to allow for the distinctive free flowing, low, graceful action that is synonymous with the hack.
 
They should be neither too long, nor too short through the back, being perfectly proportioned, and should have a good depth of girth and a wellspring rib cage. The hindquarters should be nicely rounded, but not excessively heavy.
 
They should have good, clean leg, free from any bumps or scarring. The legs should not be too fine, and should have at least eight inches (20 cm) of bone below the knee.

The hind legs are notably straight with a prominent second thigh. In the showring, the hack is expected to perform calmly with great presence and poise.

Qualities of the Hack
During the 19th century there were two types of hack: the covert hack and the park hack. They were quite different. The covert hack was used to ride to the hunt meets and would have been a Thoroughbred type with elegance and quality.

They needed good manners and good smooth paces. Not used for hunting, however, they did not need to have stamina, strength, or be able to gallop. The covert hack no longer exists, but the closest show class for it would be the riding horse class.

While these horses are truly admirable, they do not have to exhibit quite the same elegance and grace of the show hack. The park hack was the horse that socialites would ride in fashionable places like Rotten Row in London.

They had to be supremely well mannered, with a presence and a 'look at me' quality, to best show off their riders. The modern equivalent of the park hack is the show hack and there are different show classes for these horses.

The show hack can be displayed individually or in pairs, which is particularly impressive. For the single hack, the classes are divided into small hack, which is 14.2 hh to 15 hh; large hack, which is 15 hh to 15.3 hh.

And lady's hack, which is 14.2 hh to 15.3 hh, and is ridden sidesaddle. The hacks are expected to show walk, trot, and canter, an individual demonstration, and to be ridden by the judge.
 
Horse Fact:
Most horses should be reshod every four to six weeks, although factors such as the amount of road-work the horse is doing, and hoof growth rate, which will vary from horse to horse, affects this.
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