If you understand how to measure your horse’s height correctly is key to recognizing their size, their care, and the equipment you should purchase. While it may seem basic, using the right tools and techniques ensures precision and helps avoid confusion. If you are a novice horse owner or simply want to improve your skills, this guide is designed for you.
In the article, “Measuring A Horse’s Height: Tools and Techniques”. We will lead you through the process and equipment required to obtain an exact measurement each time.
Measuring A Horse’s Height By Hands
If you’re into horses, you’ve likely heard the expression “hands” or “hands high” when talking about a horse’s height. But why hands?
This custom goes back more than 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. At that time, there were no standard measurement units for everyone. The Egyptians had at their disposal the plumb bob, cubit rod, and calibrated ropes for a variety of measurements, but they still struggled with standardizing sizes.
The width of an adult male’s hand turned out to be a useful solution. Because the hands of most men were quite alike in size, using “hands” made it simpler to estimate the height of a horse. To do this, hands were placed side by side, one above the other, from the ground up to the highest point of the horse’s back. For instance, if it took 15 hands to reach the top, the horse would be described as 15 hands high.
This simple yet effective method has stood the test of time and is still in use today. But how long is a hand and can measuring a horse’s height with other tools? Read on below.
Hands and Other Measurements
A measurement of “hand” is equivalent to four inches, and any more height is shown in decimal format. For example, a horse described as 14.2 hands stands 14 hands plus 2 inches tall, making the total height 58 inches: (14 x 4) + 2. Still, you wouldn’t say 14.5 hands because the number following the decimal is whole inches, rather than fractions. A horse being 14.2 ½ hands equates to it being two and a half inches taller than if it were 14 hands.
When measuring a horse’s height, we measure from the ground to the highest point of the withers, which is just behind the foreleg. The withers of the horse act as a stable reference point because they do not change whether the horse drops or uplifts its head, or shifts its back. No matter if you use hands, inches, or centimeters, this is the usual technique for gauging horses across the world, across different riding disciplines and horse breeds.
Tools and Techniques for Measuring Horse Height
A number of tools are available for the precise measurement of a horse’s height. The most reliable is an equine height measuring stick. This long stick is marked with inch measurements and has a horizontal bar that slides up and down. You place the stick beside the horse and drop the bar until it hits the withers. A number of sticks include a leveling bubble to confirm it is entirely straight.
Another option is a height tape, which you can easily find at feed or tack stores. However, tapes are somewhat tricky because they are lightweight and often flop, which makes it hard to keep them taut. One person will have to keep the bottom of the tape down on the ground. Another will need to check the measurement at the withers. Unlike a stick, you can’t rest the tape against the horse; it needs to hang straight down. Several height tapes include weight measurements on the reverse side.
A regular tape measure can work too, but it has similar challenges. Metal tape measures, for example, can make rattling sounds that might startle the horse, making it hard for them to stay still.
As a simple DIY tool, you can use binder twine tied to either a metal nut or a washer. The load will keep the string stable as you write the height at the withers with a pen or marker. Mark the length from the washer to the mark after it has been marked. One more simple method is to take advantage of a yardstick, lath, or whip. Hold it parallel to the horse’s back at the withers, and observe where it converges with the twine.
Measuring a Horse’s Height Step-by-step Guide
To accurately measure a horse’s height, follow these simple steps:
Step 1:
First, get a helper. One person needs to keep the horse still while the other person focuses on the measuring.
Step 2:
Find a flat, solid surface for the horse to stand on, like a concrete slab, a firm driveway, or an empty stall with no bedding. You need to make sure that your horse is ‘square,’ which means its legs should create a balanced rectangle, much like the legs of a table.
Step 3:
Next, position your measuring tool (height stick or tape)—perpendicular to the ground, as near to the horse’s side as you can get. Make sure your height stick is upright by using a level. After that, softly drop the horizontal bar (or mark the tape) to meet the horse’s withers. Be slow and cautious, as some horses may get spooked by the measuring tool.
Step 4:
Now, you read the measurement. Various sticks and tapes offer height measurements in hands, but a few measure in inches. If the measurement is in inches, change it to hands by dividing by 4. If your horse measures 62 inches, that corresponds to 15 hands and 2 inches (or 15.2).
Step 5:
At last, you take the measurement once more to check. If there is a clear difference between them, measure once more and take the average for accuracy.
How Tall is the Average Horse?
The average horse stands between 13.3 and 17.3 hands tall, or roughly 1.4 to 1.8 meters. This range includes all horse breeds, so it covers a wide variety of sizes. For competition in the UK, ponies are classified as any horse shorter than 14.2 hands (1.47 meters), though some actual pony breeds can be taller than this.
When we break height down by type, there’s even more variation. Light-riding horses typically range from 14 to 16 hands (1.42 to 1.63 meters). Larger riding horses usually measure between 15.2 and 17 hands (1.57 to 1.73 meters). While heavy or draft horses are often between 16 and 18 hands (1.63 to 1.83 meters). A horse’s growth is largely influenced by genetics and proper nutrition.
Average Horse Height Chart
Here’s a quick look at some common horse breeds along with their average height range:
| Horse Breed | Average Height (hands) | Average Height (inches) | Average Height (meters) |
| American Warmblood | 15–17 hands | 60–68 inches | 1.52–1.73m |
| Arabian Horse | 14.1–15.1 hands | 57–61 inches | 1.45–1.55m |
| Ardennes Horse | 15.3–16.1 hands | 63–65 inches | 1.60–1.65m |
| Cleveland Bay Horse | 16–16.2 hands | 64–66 inches | 1.63–1.68m |
| Clydesdale Horse | 16–18 hands | 64–72 inches | 1.63–1.83m |
| Connemara Pony | 12.2–14.2 hands | 50–58 inches | 1.27–1.47m |
| Dales Pony | 13–14 hands | 52–56 inches | 1.32–1.42m |
| Dartmoor Pony | 11.1–12.2 hands | 45–50 inches | 1.14–1.27m |
| Dutch Warmblood | 15–17 hands | 60–68 inches | 1.52–1.73m |
| Eriskay Pony | 12–13.2 hands | 48–54 inches | 1.22–1.37m |
| Exmoor Pony | 11.1–12.3 hands | 45–51 inches | 1.14–1.30m |
| Fell Pony | 13.2–14 hands | 54–56 inches | 1.37–1.42m |
| Hackney Horse | 14.2–16.2 hands | 58–66 inches | 1.47–1.68m |
| Hackney Pony | 12–14 hands | 48–56 inches | 1.22–1.42m |
| Haflinger | 13.2–15 hands | 54–60 inches | 1.40–1.52m |
| Hanoverian Horse | 15.3–17.2 hands | 63–70 inches | 1.60–1.78m |
| Highland Pony | 13–14.2 hands | 52–58 inches | 1.32–1.47m |
| Holsteiner | 16–17 hands | 64–68 inches | 1.63–1.73m |
| Irish Draught Horse | 15.1–16.3 hands | 61–63 inches | 1.55–1.60m |
| New Forest Pony | 12–14.2 hands | 48–58 inches | 1.22–1.47m |
| Percheron | 16–17 hands | 64–68 inches | 1.63–1.73m |
| Shetland Pony | 7–10.2 hands | 28–42 inches | 0.71–1.07m |
| Shire Horse | 16–17 hands | 64–68 inches | 1.63–1.73m |
| Spotted Pony | 8–14 hands | 32–56 inches | 0.81–1.42m |
| Suffolk Punch Horse | 16.1–17.3 hands | 65–71 inches | 1.65–1.80m |
| Swedish Warmblood | 16–17 hands | 64–68 inches | 1.63–1.73m |
| Thoroughbred Horse | 15.2–17.2 hands | 62–70 inches | 1.57–1.78m |
| Welara | 11.2–15 hands | 46–60 inches | 1.17–1.52m |
| Westphalian Horse | 15.2–17.2 hands | 62–70 inches | 1.57–1.78m |
This chart shows the typical height range for different horse and pony breeds, giving you a better idea of the variety of sizes across breeds.
FAQs
Horses are measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers, the point where the neck meets the back. The measurement is typically given in “hands,” with one hand equaling 4 inches. For example, a horse that measures 62 inches would be considered 15.2 hands tall.
On average, horses stand between 13.3 and 17.3 hands tall, or 1.4 to 1.8 meters. This broad range covers a variety of breeds, from smaller ponies to larger draft horses.
In competition, ponies are classified as being shorter than 14.2 hands (1.47 meters). However, some pony breeds may exceed this height, while certain smaller horses may fall below this mark.
A horse’s height is primarily influenced by genetics and nutrition. Certain breeds are naturally taller or shorter, and proper nutrition during a horse’s growth years can impact its final height.
Yes, horse height can also be measured in inches or meters. However, the most common unit of measurement is “hands.” To convert inches to hands, divide the total inches by 4.
Last Words
Measuring a horse’s height doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right measuring tools, including a horse measuring stick or a tape measure, and the simple method of measuring from the ground to the highest point of the withers. You will obtain an accurate measurement. Remember, understanding your horse’s height is important for everything ranging from choosing fitting equipment to monitoring its health and growth. The next time you are with your horse, give it a go—accurate measurements result in better care!
