How Tall Is The Average Horse In Hands? (Solved)

How tall is the average horse? The average horse measures between 13.3–17.3 hands tall (or 1.4–1.8 metres), but it should be noted that this figure includes all breeds.

How many hands high is the average race horse?

• Horses range from heights 14.2-19.2 hands, again excluding any outliers that may be taller than this. The average of this height span is 17.3 hands. This seems like a tall average, but keep in mind it is including draft horses, who commonly stand between 18 and 19 hands.

How tall can a horse get in hands?

A standard adult horse, on average, measures 14-17 hands at the withers, but some can exceed 18 hands while others can be as small as 8-9 hands depending on the breed.

How tall is a 20 hand horse?

Standing at 20 hands 2 ¾ inches or 210.2 cm, Big Jake, an 11-year-old Belgian gelding, is officially the world’s tallest horse.

How tall is a typical horse?

How tall is the average horse? Light riding horses are typically 14–16 hands (1.42–1.63m), larger riding horses are 15.2–17 hands (1.57–1.73m), and heavy or draft horses are usually 16–18 hands (1.63–1.83m). Growth can also be influenced by genetics and nutrition.

What is the tallest horse?

Shires are the tallest horses in the world. It is not uncommon for one of these beauties to measure 20 hands. In fact, the biggest horse ever measured is the Shire gelding Sampson, who is now called Mammoth. Mammoth was born in England in 1846 and stood at 21.2-1/2 hands, over 7 feet 2.5 inches tall!

Can a horse be 14.5 hands?

Hands and Other Measurements A horse could never be said to be 14.5 inches, as the number after the decimal is not a fraction, but represents an entire inch. If a horse is 14.2 1/2 HH, that means he’s two and one-half inches over 14 hands.

Is 15 hands a big horse?

The average height of a horse is 15.2 hands or around 5 feet. Any equine measuring more than 14.2 hands (57 inches) is classified as a horse, and anything less is classified as a pony or miniature horse. A cob measures at about 15 hands and often straddles the line between ponies and “horse” sized.

Can a horse be 15.5 hands?

There is a proper way to figure and write out the measurement of a horse. Example: If a horse measures 60 inches you would divide that number by 4 (since a ‘hand’ is 4 inches) and get 15, which means the horse is 15 hands tall. 62 inches – 15.2 (when you divide by 4 you will get 15.5, but the.

How tall is a 20.1 hand horse?

We have our winner, and the answer is 20 hands 1 inch, or 20.1 hands. That translates to 81 inches tall at the center of his withers. A hand is 4 inches, so increments are by.

Why are horses measured in hands?

Why are horses measured in hands? Thousands of years ago, there were no measuring tapes lying around (or a metric system, for that matter). People needed a way of measuring their riding horses for purposes of selling and trading, and so they used a unit of measurement that they always had with them – their hands.

How many hands is a pony?

A horse’s height is measured in hands from the ground to the withers (the area on top of a horse between its neck and back). A hand represents 4 inches. The term horse is generally applied to one that is 14.2 hands (4 feet, 9 inches) or taller. A mature horse shorter than 14 hands is considered a pony by the industry.

How Tall is a Horse? (Average Horse Height Chart)

HHorses are available in a variety of sizes and forms, with their bodies varying based on their breed, food, and degree of exercise. It is necessary to measure the height of a horse since this will allow you to better manage its feeding requirements and exercise level. Furthermore, it is critical information that you will want while selecting the most appropriate horse for you. The proper way to measure the height of a horse is from the withers of the tallest horse to the ground. Let’s see what happens.

Hand Unit

A hand unit is equivalent to 4 inches (10 cm), and you must use it to measure a horse from the wither, which is the place at which the horse’s shoulders are at their tallest. Despite the fact that the hand may be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, it was Henry VIII who standardized it to 4 inches (10 cm) in length in 1541.

Horse height measurement

Hands	Inches (m)	Hands	Inches (m)	Hands	Inches (m)
7	28 (0.71)	11	44 (1.12)	15	60 (1.52)
7.1	29 (0.74)	11.1	45 (1.14)	15.1	61 (1.55)
7.2	30 (0.76)	11.2	46 (1.17)	15.2	62 (1.57)
7.3	31 (0.79)	11.3	47 (1.19)	15.3	63 (1.60)
8	32 (0.81)	12	48 (1.22)	16	64 (1.63)
8.1	33 (0.84)	12.1	49 (1.25)	16.1	65 (1.65)
8.2	34 (0.86)	12.2	50 (1.27)	16.2	66 (1.68)
8.3	35 (0.89)	12.3	51 (1.29)	16.3	67 (1.70)
9	36 (0.91)	13	52 (1.32)	17	68 (1.73)
9.1	37 (0.94)	13.1	53 (1.35)	17.1	69 (1.75)
9.2	38 (0.97)	13.2	54 (1.37)	17.2	70 (1.78)
9.3	39 (0.99)	13.3	55 (1.39)	17.3	71 (1.80)
10	40 (1.02)	14	56 (1.42)	18	72 (1.83)
10.1	41 (1.04)	14.1	57 (1.45)	18.1	73 (1.85)
10.2	42 (1.07)	14.2	58 (1.47)	18.2	74 (1.89)
10.3	43 (1.09)	14.3	59 (1.50)

The technique for gauging horses is not difficult to understand. Given that a hand is equal to 4 inches, the computation is as follows: 1hh = WH x 4 inches + FHWH– the total number of hands. The hand fraction is abbreviated as FH. As an illustration: A horse that is 12 hands tall will have 12 x 4 + 0 = 48 inches in length. A horse that is 12.2 hands tall will have 12.2 x 4 + 2 = 50 inches in length. In most countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, the United States, Canada, India, and South Africa, the hand is the primary measurement unit for horses.

Horse Types

Height-based classifications are available for horses, with subcategories such as miniature, Shetland, and draft horses being occasionally seen within the three basic classifications.

Horse heigh

Horse type	Hands	Inches (meters)
Miniature	6.2 hands	26 to 28 inches (66 – 70 cm)
7 hands	28 inches (71 cm)
7.2 hands	30 inches (76 cm)
8 hands	32 inches (81 cm)
Small	8.2 hands	34 inches (86 cm)
9 hands	36 inches (91 cm)
9.2 hands	38 inches (97 cm)
Shetland	10 hands	40 inches (1.02 m)
10.2 hands	42 inches (1.07 m)
11 hands	44 inches (1.12 m)
Pony	11.2 hands	46 inches (1.17 m)
12 hands	48 inches (1.22 m)
12.2 hands	50 inches (1.27 m)
13 hands	52 inches (1.32 m)
13.2 hands	54 inches (1.37 m)
Horse	14 hands	56 inches (1.42 m)
14.2 hands	58 inches (1.47 m)
15 hands	60 inches (1.53 m)
15.2 hands	62 inches (1.58 m)
16 hands	64 inches (1.63 m)
16.2 hands	66 inches (1.68 m)
17 hands	68 inches (1.73 m)
17.2 hands	70 inches (1.78 m)
18 hands	72 inches (1.83 m)
18.2 hands	74 inches (1.89 m)

When it comes to mature full-size horses, the majority of them stand between 14.2 and 16.2 hands tall. Despite the fact that most riders regard medium-sized horses between 15 and 15.2 hands height to be the most comfortable, rookie riders feel that smaller horses are a better alternative for learning to ride.

Miniatures

Miniatures are miniature horses that have been created by isolating the genes that produce this desired characteristic from the others. A toy horse might be a treasured companion, or you can use it to pull a cart around the yard. They are always shorter than 9.2 hands or 38 inches (97 cm), however there are certain categories that consider creatures shorter than 8 hands or 32 inches (90 cm) to qualify as miniatures (81 cm). The taller animals are herded together with a herd of little horses.

Pony height

Breed	Height
Shetland pony	7 to 10.2 hands	28 to 42 inches (71 – 107 cm)
Spotted pony	8 to 14 hands	32 to 56 inches (81–142 cm)
Dartmoor pony	11.1 to 12.2 hands	45 to 50 inches (114 – 127 cm)
Exmoor pony	11.1 to 12.3 hands	45 to 51 inches (114 – 130 cm)
Welara	11.2 to 15 hands	46 to 60 inches (117 – 152 cm)
Eriskay pony	12 to 13.2 hands	48 to 54 inches (122 – 137 cm)
Hackney pony	12 to 14 hands	48 to 56 inches (122 – 142 cm)
New Forest pony	12 to 14.2 hands	48 to 58 inches (122 – 147 cm)
Welsh Pony	12.2 to 13.2 hands	50 to 54 inches (127 – 137 cm)
Connemara pony	12.2 to 14.2 hands	50 to 58 inches (127 – 147 cm)
Dales pony	13 to 14 hands	52 to 56 inches (132 – 142 cm)
Highland pony	13 to 14.2 hands	52 to 58 inches (132 – 147 cm)
Fell pony	13.2 to 14 hands	54 to 56 inches (137 – 142 cm)

Ponies

Ponies are horses that range in height from 10 to 13.2 hands (1.02 m) or 40 to 54 inches (1.02 m) in height (1.37 m). Ponies may be divided into three sizes: small, medium, and large. Small ponies are the most common. Keep in mind that in the United Kingdom, only horses under 14.2 hands or 58 inches (1.47m) in height are called ponies.

Horses

This category includes any horse with a height greater than 14.2 hands, however some of them may stand as tall as 18.2 hands, or 74 inches (1.89 m).

Only a few of horses stand at around 19.2 hands or 78 inches (1.98 m) tall.

Horse height

Breed	Height
Spanish Mustang	12 to 14 hands	48 to 56 inches (122 – 142 cm)
Halfinger	13.2 to 15 hands	54 to 60 inches (140 – 152 cm)
Gypsy Vanner	14 to 15 hands	56 to 60 inches (142 – 152 cm)
Morgan	14 to 15 hands	56 to 60 inches (142 – 152 cm)
Walkaloosa	14 to 15 hands	56 to 60 inches (142 – 152 cm)
American Standardbred	14 to 15 hands	56 to 60 inches (142 – 153 cm)
Appaloosa	14 to 15.3 hands	56 to 63 inches (142 – 160 cm)
American Quarter Horse	14 to 16.1 hands	56 to 65 inches (142 – 165 cm)
Paso Fino	14.1 to 15 hands	55 to 60 inches (140 – 152 cm)
Arabian	14.1 to 15.1 hands	55 to 61 inches (140 – 155 cm)
Tennessee Walker	15 to 15.1 hands	60 to 61 inches (152 – 155 cm)
Lipizzaner	15 to 15.3 hands	60 to 63 inches (152 – 160 cm)
Criollo	15 to 15.3 hands	60 to 63 inches (152 – 160 cm)
Paint Horse	15 to 16 hands	60 to 64 inches (152 – 163 cm)
American Saddlebred	15 to 16.1 hands	60 to 65 inches (152 – 165 cm)
Andalusian	15 to 16.1 hands	60 to 65 inches (152 – 165 cm)
Hackney	15 to 16.2 hands	60 to 66 inches (152 – 168 cm)
Gypsy Vanner	15 to 16.2 hands	60 to 66 inches (152 – 168 cm)
Orlov Trotter	15 to 17 hands	60 to 68 inches (152 – 173 cm)
American Cream draft	15 to 17 hands	60 to 68 inches (152 – 173 cm)
American Warmblood	15 to 17 hands	60 to 68 inches (152 – 173 cm)
Belgian Draft	15 to 17.3 hands	60 to 71 inches (152 – 180 cm)
Westphalian	15.2 to 17.2 hands	62 to 70 inches (157 – 178 cm)
Ardennes	15.3 to 16.1 hands	63 to 65 inches (160 – 165 cm)
Irish Draught	15.3 to 16.1 hands	63 to 65 inches (160 – 165 cm)
Dutch Warmblood	15.3 to 17 hands	63 to 68 inches (160 – 173 cm)
Suffolk	15.3 to 17 hands	63 to 68 inches (160 – 173 cm)
Trakehner	15.3 to 17 hands	63 to 68 inches (160 – 173 cm)
Thoroughbred	15.3 to 17.2 hands	63 to 70 inches (160 – 178 cm)
Percheron	16 to 17 hands	64 to 68 inches (160 – 173 cm)
Holsteiner	16 to 17 hands	64 to 68 inches (160 – 173 cm)
Shire	16 to 17 hands	64 to 68 inches (163 – 173 cm)
Swedish Warmblood	16 to 17 hands	64 to 68 inches (163 – 173 cm)
Hanoverian	16 to 17.2 hands	64 to 70 inches (163 – 178 cm)
Oldenburg	16 to 17.3 hands	64 to 71 inches (163 – 180 cm)
Cleveland Bay	16 to 17.3 hands	64 to 71 inches (163 – 180 cm)
Clydesdale	16 to 18 hands	64 to 68 inches (163 – 173 cm)

Height of an average horse varies depending on the breed of the horse. Quarter horses, for example, often reach 15 hands or 60 inches (1.52 m) in height, which permits them to perform their intended functions. In contrast, Thoroughbreds are utilized for racing, and as a result, they must be significantly taller. They typically have at least 16 hands or 64 inches between them (1.63 m). Finally, draft horses are the tallest, with heights ranging from 17 to 19 hands, or 68 inches (1.73 m) to 76 inches (1.93 m), respectively (1.93 m).

Summary

When it comes to practicing proper horsemanship, knowing the height of the horse is critical. This measurement establishes the specific breed and provides the required information for determining the meal size and medicine dose, if any are necessary.

Average Horse Height: How Big Do they Get, With Size Chart

Depending on the breed, a typical adult horse measures 14-17 hands at the withers on average, however some may measure up to 18 hands at the withers while others can be as little as 8-9 hands. The Draft horses, which include the Clydesdale, Shire, Belgian, and Percheron, are the world’s biggest horses, having been designed for the purpose of hauling or pulling heavy burdens. The Miniature horse, Falabella, and Shetland pony are the smallest of the breed, yet they are surprisingly powerful and durable for their size.

How to Measure a Horse’s Height

It is possible to determine the size of a horse by placing a height-measurement stick or height tape behind its front foreleg and measuring from the ground to the top of its withers. In this case, the full widths are marked in hands (abbreviated as hh), and the partial widths are denoted in inches. The height of 15 hands and 4 inches is the height of a horse that measures 15.4 hands and 4 inches tall.

Size Chart: Average Height of Some Popular Breeds

Breed	Height(hh)
Clydesdale	16-18
Cob	14-15
Miniature Horse	8.5-9.5
American Quarter Horse	14-17
Shire Horse	17-18
Mustang	14-15
Thoroughbred	15.2-17
Arabian	14.1-15.1
Haflinger	13-15
American Paint Horse	14.2-15.2

Interesting Facts

• Big Jake, a Belgian gelding that is 20 hands 2.75 inches tall, is the world’s largest horse living, according to the World Horse Organization. Sampson (later called Mammoth) was a 19th century Shire gelding that stood at 21.2 12 hands and was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s tallest horse of all time. In addition, Einstein, a Miniature Horse, holds the record for the world’s smallest foal, measuring 3.5 hands when it was born. Thumbelina is a Dwarf Miniature horse that measures 4.25 hands and is the world’s smallest horse
• Einstein is also the world’s smallest horse.

Average Horse Height: How Big Do They Get? (with Size Chart)

Horses are considered to be enormous creatures by the majority of people, and for the most part, this is correct. In height and weight, the normal horse is around five feet tall and weighs 800-1200 pounds. Generally speaking, a horse must be at least 57 inches tall, yet some horses are just two feet tall! Horses that weigh more than 2200 pounds and tower well over six feet tall are seen on the other extreme of the range. Today’s topic is horse heights, and this post will cover everything from the tiniest to the highest, as well as everything in between.

What Is the Average Height of a Horse?

Even while horses are available in a wide range of sizes, ranging from quite little to incredibly gigantic, the majority of them are somewhere in the center. A horse’s height is around five feet in height on average. Many horses are taller than five feet, and many others are shorter, but five feet is around the average height. Horse heights, on the other hand, aren’t usually measured in centimeters. It is more common to express heights in hands, thus a horse that is five feet tall will measure 15 hands in height.

The difficulty is that there are just too many distinct breeds of horses, each of which comes in a wide variety of sizes, making it difficult to establish a realistic average.

For this reason, it is advisable to look at typical horse heights by breed rather than the average height of five feet. Photograph courtesy of jacotakepics and Shutterstock.

Average Height of the Most Popular Horse Breeds

Let’s take a look at several common breeds, as well as a couple that are less well known, to get a better understanding of normal horse sizes. We’ll look at the smallest and tallest equine varieties, as well as the kinds that are in between.

• Falconella– The Falabellla is a miniature horse breed from Argentina, and it has the distinction of being the world’s smallest breed. Falabellas can grow to be as small as 25 inches in height when completely mature, but they seldom grow to be higher than 32 inches. Unlike other horses, Shetlands are measured in inches rather than hands, which makes them unique among horse breeds. They stand around 40 inches tall on average and never exceed 46 inches in height
• The American Miniature Horse– As the name says, the American Miniature Horse is a miniature replica of a full-size horse that was developed over 400 years of selective breeding to acquire its current size. They may reach a maximum height of 34 inches, while the most are between 30-32 inches tall. Quarter Horse– Quarter horses, the most popular breed in the United States and the breed with the biggest registration in the world, stand an average height of 14.3 to 16 hands
• They are also known as American Quarter Horses. Paint– On average, paint horses reach between 14.2 and 15.2 hands tall, which is 58-62 inches in height, however individuals with Thoroughbred DNA can grow to be much higher than this. In accordance with breed standards, Arabians can grow to be 14.1-16.1 hands tall, with an average height of 15.1 hands (61 inches) and a maximum height of 15.1 hands (61 inches). Thoroughbred– Thoroughbreds are horses that are thin and powerful, and they are mostly utilized for racing purposes. Typically, a Thoroughbred will stand at 16 hands, which is equal to 64 inches in height. Horses from Belgium– Belgians are among the world’s largest horses, weighing an average of 2000 pounds! They are not the tallest breed, being on average 16-17 hands tall
• Nonetheless, they are one of the most docile. Brougham– Broughams are another of the largest horse breeds that exist. Clydesdales are another enormous horse breed that exists. It is possible for them to reach heights of 19 hands and weigh up to 2200 pounds, while the average Clydesdale stands at approximately 18 hands or 72 inches tall. When it comes to horse breeds, the Shire is unquestionably the largest on the globe. One Shire stallion called Sampson stood an incredible 21.2 hands tall, earning him the distinction of the largest horse in history as well as a Guinness World Record for being the tallest horse ever.

Equine Size Chart

TYPE	HANDS	INCHES
Miniature	6.2	26
Miniature	6.3	27
Miniature	7	28
Miniature	7.1	29
Miniature	7.2	30
Miniature	7.3	31
Miniature	8	32
Miniature	8.1	33
Small Horse	8.2	34
Small Horse	8.3	35
Small Horse	9	36
Small Horse	9.1	37
Small Horse	9.2	38
Shetland	9.3	39
Shetland	10	40
Shetland	10.1	41
Shetland	10.2	42
Shetland	10.3	43
Shetland	11	44
Pony	11.1	45
Pony	11.2	46
Pony	11.3	47
Pony	12	48
Pony	12.1	49
Pony	12.2	50
Pony	12.3	51
Pony	13	52
Pony	13.1	53
Pony	13.2	54
Pony	13.3	55
Horse	14	56
Horse	14.1	57
Horse	14.2	58
Horse	14.3	59
Horse	15	60
Horse	15.1	61
Horse	15.2	62
Horse	15.3	63
Horse	16	64
Horse	16.1	65
Horse	16.2	66
Horse	16.3	67
Horse	17	68
Horse	17.1	69
Horse	17.2	70
Horse	17.3	71
Horse	18	72
Horse	18.1	73
Horse	18.2	74
Horse	18.3	75

Why Are Horses Measured in Hands?

Thanks to contemporary instruments such as tape measures, it is now quite straightforward to measure almost anything. The first tamed horses were domesticated thousands of years ago, and tape measures were not yet invented at that point in time. As a result, individuals resorted to using what they had at their disposal, which was their hands. The practice of measuring a horse with your hands became the norm, and we continue to do it today. Although, back then, there was no common standard other than the hand, and everyone had a different-sized hand, making it a somewhat imperfect method, it is still useful today.

• You may quickly convert hands to inches by multiplying the height in hands by four, which is a straightforward calculation.
• It is possible to discern a decimal behind a hand measurement, such as 15.1, in some cases.
• As a result, 15.1 hands are equivalent to 61 inches.
• The length of 15.3 hands is equal to 63 inches.

How to Measure a Horse Accurately

A lot has been said about horse heights, but how exactly are horses measured is still up in the air. Measuring a human is straightforward; you simply measure from the ground to the top of their head. However, measuring a horse is a little more complicated. Instead of measuring from the top of the animal’s head to the top of its withers, you will measure from the top of the animal’s withers. To begin, make sure your horse is standing on level ground. Simply measure the distance from the top of the front shoulder, also known as the withers, to the ground with a measuring tape or a measuring stick.

Consequently, if your horse’s height is 66 inches, discover the next lower number that is divisible by four, which in this case is 64 inches.

You still have two inches left over, which will be converted to a decimal of.2 for a conversion of 16.2 hands from 66 inches using a decimal of.2.

How to Estimate a Young Horse’s Mature Height

In the event if you were able to observe the parents of your horse, you could already have an idea of how enormous it could become. You may be wondering, though, what size you may expect your horse to grow to if you didn’t have the opportunity to see him at that stage. Fortunately, there is a formula that you may use to estimate the approximate size of your horse when he is completely matured. Your horse will need to be six months old in order to participate in this activity. The length of the horse’s lower leg from the foot to the knee is 93 percent of the size it will be when completely matured at this time.

Begin by taking a measurement of the lower leg of your horse.

In order to multiply by four, you must divide the measurement by 93, multiply by 100, then divide the result by four again.

In our case, 16 divided by 93 is equal to 0.17 a percent. Increase this by 100 to obtain 17, then multiply by four to achieve an anticipated adult height of 68 inches. Photograph courtesy of Stephane Debove/Shutterstock

What Is the Right Size Horse for You?

As you can see, horses come in a wide range of colors and breeds. But how can you know which size is best for you? It is dependent on your requirements. If you only want to maintain a horse as a pet and you want to cut its care requirements to a bare minimum, you can consider a pony or miniature horse as an option. However, if you want to ride your horse, a pony isn’t going to do the trick either. For riding, you’ll need to choose a horse that weighs at least seven times as much as you do in order to guarantee that the horse is capable of carrying your weight as well as all of your extra equipment.

If you’re over six feet tall, on the other hand, you should consider a larger horse that’s standing a good 16-17 hands in height.

Conclusion

Some horses are colossal, towering about seven feet in height. Even though the normal horse stands roughly five feet tall, ponies and miniature horses may be as tiny as 25 inches in height! None of these horse breeds is superior than the others; they are just distinct from one another. The characteristics of each breed are distinct, and with so many various sizes to pick from, there is a horse available to suit every rider. Credit for the featured image goes to Yurkovski through Shutterstock.

The Average Height for a Horse

Ponies are defined as animals measuring 14.2 hands or less at the withers and less than 15 hands overall. Horses are defined as any equine reaching more than 14.2 inches in height. A horse’s average height and weight is around 15.2 hands. However, this is not representative of the average performance of all horses across all breeds and disciplines. It’s been said that “horses for courses,” which refers to the fact that horses were raised and trained for a specific size and physiology in order to do distinct duties.

Equine Measurements

Equines are measured in hands, with each hand equaling 4 inches in circumference. That indicates that the average horse with 15.2 hands is 62 inches tall at the withers, or slightly about 5 feet and 2 inches tall at the withers. Determine the height of your animal by measuring it from the bottom of the hooves to the top of the withers with a measuring stick or tape. When measuring your horse, make sure he is standing on a level place.

Small, Medium and Large Ponies

Ponies are classified according to their height into three categories: tiny, medium, and giant. A small pony cannot be taller than 12.2 hands in height for competition reasons, while a medium pony can be anywhere between 12.3 and 13.2 hands in height. The height of a huge pony is between 13.3 and 14.2 hands.

Smaller Average Height Breeds

Some well-known breeds of horses typically mature at a size that is close to or somewhat smaller than the norm. A good example of this is the quarter horse, which is among the most popular breeds in terms of yearly registrations and stands an average height of 59.3 inches, with a height range from 57.3 to 61 inches.

The Morgan stands 60 inches tall on average, with heights varying between 56 and 63 inches. However, a third average-sized breed did not originate in the United States, unlike the first two. The Arabian stands at an average height of 59.7 inches, with a range of 56 to 63 inches in height.

Taller Breeds

Despite the fact that many of them have “normal” stature, two racing breeds stand out as being significantly taller than the usual horse. With a range of 62 to 68 inches or more, the thoroughbred develops to an average height of 63.78 inches, or approximately 16 hands, with a maximum height of 63.78 inches or more. The standardbred horse, which is used for harness racing, stands around 63 inches tall on average, with a range of 60 to 66 inches or more on occasion. Horses of a variety of warmblood breeds, which are frequently employed as sport horses in disciplines such as dressage and show jumping, as well as eventing, are among the tallest of the equines used primarily for riding.

The Oldenburg is available at sizes ranging from 16 to 17.2 hands (64 to 70 inches).

Draft Breeds

Draft horses, the heaviest of all equines, are also the tallest, with an average height of 6.5 feet. Despite their calm demeanor, these “gentle giants” are genuine workhorses, capable of hauling tremendous amounts of weight. When fully grown, the Belgian, one of the most prevalent draft horse breeds, stands at an average height of 16 hands. While the Percheron averages 16.2 hands, the Clydesdale averages between 16 and 16.1 hands every session. Despite being the biggest and heaviest of the draft breeds, the Shire stands an average height of 17 hands, with several approaching the 18-hand mark.

In addition to reporting for a large newspaper chain, she has been published in a number of publications, including “Horse News,” “Suburban Classic,” “Hoof Beats,” “Equine Journal,” and other similar publications.

Average Horse Height: How tall is your horse?

What is the height of your horse? After all, what is the typical horse’s height, exactly? Do they tower over you, or do they stand on an equal level with you? What exactly does this mean in horse-speak? And that is precisely what I will be talking about in this essay! Throughout this essay, I’ll be talking about typical horse heights and what it implies, as well as how to communicate about horse heights properly. There are certain differences between horse measures and any other measurements we are accustomed to utilizing.

This includes understanding the different types of horses and their sizes.

How are Horses Measured? What is the Average Horse Height?

Horses of various heights are classified into distinct “height” groups.

Miniature horses, ponies, and horses are all included in this category. Draft horses are given their own category in certain publications and educational materials, but I have not included them because they are frequently as tall as typical light riding horses, if not taller. They are also heavier.

Miniatures

Miniature horses are true horses with dwarfism, as opposed to miniature ponies. Horse breeders have been successful in isolating this gene and using it to produce the highly sought-after miniature horse, which is commonly used as a pet and as a cart horse. Because of their little size, miniature horses are the shortest of the horse breeds. A little horse is defined as any horse that is shorter than 38″. If the horse is any taller than that, it would be labeled a pony. 38″ is equal to 9.2 hands in standard measurement.

The term “pony” refers to a horse that is more than 9.2 hands in height.

Ponies

Ponies are the next step up in height from miniature horses in terms of horse height. They range in size from 9.2 hands to 14.2 hands, for a total measurement range of 5 entire hands, or 20 inches. Small, medium, and giant ponies are all subdivided into three categories: “small,” “medium,” and “large.” Not all pony breeds grow to be as short as 9.2 hands and as tall as 14.2 hands, and not all pony breeds grow to be as short as 9.2 hands. It just relies on the pony and the quality of its offspring.

Horses

Horses are defined as any sort of horse that is taller than 14.2 inches. Similarly to the height disparity between ponies and humans, this can vary by nearly 5 hands, reaching a maximum of 19.2 hands, or 20 inches. There haven’t been many horses stuck (horse slang for measured) at heights greater than 19.2 feet. Of course, the individual horse and its breeding will have an impact on this as well. Horse breeds such as the Quarter Horse are typically shorter, standing at around 15 hands. This is related to the breeding of the animals and the reasons for which they are designed.

1. For horses such as the Thoroughbred, on the other hand, it is preferable for them to stand higher.
2. It is preferable for Thoroughbreds to be taller in order to compete in racing and other English disciplines in which they are involved.
3. They can occasionally stand even shorter than that.
4. Draft horses are large-boned and wide-bodied animals that are ideal for farm work and pulling.
5. For a healthy horse, have a look at these nutrients.

Average Horse Height

If you were trying to figure out what the average horse height was, it would depend on how you went about measuring it.

Do you want to quantify it in terms of all horse types that have ever existed (miniatures, ponies, and horses) or just one sort of horse? Alternatively, do you wish to quantify it just in terms of horse type? I’m going to give you two instances of each.

All Horse Groups

Consider the following scenario: you wish to calculate the average height of all horse groups that have ever existed. For example, let us assume that the shortest height of a fully matured miniature horse is 8 hands. Obviously, this does not include outliers who may be significantly shorter. To put it another way, let’s suppose that the tallest horse height is 19.2 hands, again eliminating the few outliers who may have been trapped at a higher height than the average. The mean of the two numbers is 13.6, which puts us in the middle to top range of pony heights on the scale.

The “pony” group is about in the middle of all three groups, and the measurement ranges from mid-to-high, which puts it roughly in the middle of all three groups.

Average Horse Height, Only the “Horse” Type

This measurement is a tad easier to compute than the previous one. Horses range in height from 14.2 to 19.2 hands, once again omitting any outliers who may be taller than this range of 14.2 to 19.2 hands. The average height span for this group is 17.3 hands. This may appear to be a large average, but keep in mind that it includes draft horses, who typically reach between 18 and 19 hands in height. Again, if we’re talking about numbers, I’d say the vast majority of riding horses are between 15.3 and 16.3 hands tall, depending on the breed.

Conclusion

Horses’ height varies far more than that of humans, and they are measured in a completely different way! I hope this post has helped you gain a better understanding of the average horse heights and how horses are assessed in the horse world. It would be really appreciated if you could share it with us, as well as your own horse measurement experiences!

FAQs

1.) Friesian horse – The Friesian horse is the highest horse breed in the world, with the tallest horses reaching a height of 14 hands when completely grown. Not only that, but its height also adds to the overall appeal of the structure. This stallion was originally from Northern Holland and was well-known for its beauty and robust body, which is why it was frequently employed as a battle horse during the Dutch Revolt. 2.) Ukranian Riding Horse – This is the highest breed of riding horses, descended from Ukraine, with the tallest horses standing at 13 hands in height on average (142cm).

Despite the fact that the American Saddlebred is not the tallest horse breed in the world, it is still regarded one of the tallest breeds and boasts the tallest stallions, who are roughly 13.2 hands tall (139cm).

4.) Fjord horse – This breed, which originated in Norway, is the tallest horse in the world, standing at 13 hands (142cm) and having a very lengthy history.

Lipizzaner – Another highest horse breed that originated in Europe, the tallest horses of this breed stand at 12.2 hands in height, making them the fifth tallest horse breed (117cm).

It was originally utilized for military purposes, but presently it is frequently employed by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Which five small horse breeds originated from North America?

First and foremost, Morgans are the smallest horses of this little breed, standing at 13.2 hands (139cm) at the withers, and they were first utilized by settlers during the American Civil War. They may have long and healthy lives, and some have even lived for more than 30 years in some cases! 2.) The state of Tennessee Walking horse – When fully matured, the horses of this tiny horse breed measure roughly 13 hands (139cm) in height, making them the tallest small breed in North America when it comes to height.

1. 3.) American Miniature Horse – This breed, which originated in Texas, stands 11.2 hands tall (109cm) and was initially employed for farming activities such as herding small herds of cattle.
2. Fourth, the American Shetland Horse – This little breed of horse, which originated in North America, stands 10.2 hands high (104cm).
3. Cintos are little horses that originated in North America and measure roughly 10 hands high (102cm).
4. 5.) American Pinto – They are also simple to train, which making them appropriate for a variety of activities including as riding, driving, and even racing!

Measuring a Horse’s Height

The image above was borrowed from Pinterest The height of a horse is measured in ‘hands,’ which is a unit of measurement equal to 4 inches. The height of the horse is measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers. There are two popular methods for determining the size of a horse. One method is by the use of a measuring stick. The image above was borrowed from Pinterest The alternative method involves the use of a measuring tape. The image above was borrowed from Pinterest There is a correct method for calculating and writing down the measurement of a horse.

1. Here are three additional instances of the proper method to write down a horse measurement in the format shown above.
2. The.25 refers to a quarter of a hand, which is equal to one because a hand is four inches in length.
3. The only numbers that are correct to be placed to the right of the decimal point are 0, 1, 2, and 3 due to the fact that a complete hand is 4 inches in length.
4. The height of miniatures, ponies, and horses is typically determined by their breed: Miniatures – A miniature horse is defined as one that is less than 38 inches tall (approximately equal to 10 hands).

Ponies are equines with a height of less than 14.2 hands, and are classified as such. Horses with a height of 14.2 hands or more are considered average horses. The rider who gallops all night and never sees the horse under him is not to be emulated. – Jelaluddin Rumi – Get Your Saddle On

Horse Height Conversion Chart

The height of a horse is measured in hands, with one hand equaling four inches in height. When measuring the withers of a horse, the measurement should be taken vertically from the ground to the highest point of the withers. If you need to know the appropriate measurement in meters, feet, or inches, you may look up the information on the internet. The height of your horse may be converted into both metric and imperial dimensions using the table provided below (feet, inches, and centimeters). Given that one hand is equal to four inches, calculating the number of inches is a rather straightforward process.

As an illustration, here’s how it might function in practice: 14.2 hands (4 x 14 = 56 + 2 = 58 inches) is equal to 56 + 2 = 58 inches.

Why Horses Are Measured in Hands?

You’ll be able to employ metric or imperial measurements now that you know how to convert the customary hands measurement. But what precisely are hands, and why are they employed to assess the size of horses in this context? The solution to this question extends back hundreds of years, to a time when rulers and tape measures were not available. Instead, various portions of the horse body were employed as yardsticks in most cases. A foot – which currently measures 12 inches – was once referred to as a man’s foot, which was pretty literal.

• It was eventually standardised at four inches, and it is still the commonly used horse measurement today.
• Aside from the fact that there were no measuring instruments available at the time, it has been argued that one of the reasons that hands were employed was because horses loved to use them.
• Although it is unclear whether this is a true urban legend, it is a plausible idea!
• Also view our chart of typical height and weight for horse breeds.

Why Are Horses Measured in Hands? Tradition or More to it?

Any links on this page that direct you to products on Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a commission. Thank you in advance for your assistance — I much appreciate it! When it comes to characterizing the height of horses, everyone always utilizes the conventional measurement of the hands. This unusual method of measuring horses piqued my interest, and I was intrigued as to why it was utilized and where it originated, so I did some research to find out more.

In the United States, one hand equals 4 inches, hence a 15 hand horse is 60 inches tall.

Even though measuring the height of horses by hand used to be a valid method of measurement, it is no longer applicable today. You’ll probably agree that this standard measurement should be maintained once you’ve learned the background information.

History of measuring horses by hands.

Horses have been utilized for transportation, agriculture, and warfare for hundreds of years. The development of a technique for measuring horses by their height in hands was necessary for reliable measurement of horses. Ancient Egyptians utilized a unit of measurement based on bodily parts, including the hands, to measure distances. They assessed the height of a horse by measuring the distance between the ground and the top of its front leg, with fists or open palms serving as units of measure.

It was necessary to establish a defined unit due to the widespread usage of horse-trading.

Buyers and sellers of horses were able to use the constant breadth of the horse as a common reference point.

Following a more in-depth explanation of how we measure a horse, we will examine the significance height plays in the lives of racehorses.

Standard hand measurements started in the 1500s.

Other European countries, as well as the Federal Equestrian International (FEI), use meters as their primary unit of measure. The hand is still the primary unit of measure in the United States, as it is in most English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and so on.

Are other animals besides horses measured in hands?

Do you have any idea how big a hippopotamus is? How about an elephant as an example? Hands are one of the tools that humans use to gauge the size of other animals. Horses, in reality, were not the first animals to be measured in this manner. Hands are one of the most commonly used units of measurement when it comes to measuring other animals, including humans. Historically, humans have used their bodies as a reference point for measuring other objects, which is why this system is believed to have evolved.

There are a couple of reasons behind this.

In addition, the size of human hands was rather consistent throughout species.

However, it is still in use for ponies and other animals.

What are other units of measurementsbased on body parts?

• The cubit was defined as the distance between the elbow and the tip of the middle finger on the right hand. The average height is around 18 inches. This unit of measurement has been in use in the Middle East for many years. Palms:cubits are subdivided into seven palms, each of which is around 75cm in length. foot: the length of a man’s foot serves as the basis for the unit foot. Digit: The breadth of a finger, which is about 2cm (approximately 13/16 of an inch) in circumference. The “finger” or two of liquor that someone requests is the same height as the finger in a small tumbler. Span: Extend your hand to the point where the tip of your thumb is as far away from the tip of your pinky as feasible. For most people, the distance is known as a “span,” and it is almost precisely half a cubit in length. Thumb: The breadth of a thumb, which was later used as the foundation for the unit of measurement inch

How to properly measure a horse.

Horses are measured from the top of their withers down to the ground. Step one in determining the accuracy of your hand measurement is to position your horse on a level, flat area and measure from the ground to his withers. The withers of a horse are the highest point on the back of the animal. It is located near the base of the neck, right behind the shoulder. Because withers are stable, they are selected as the measuring point for this procedure. Because a horse’s head is always moving up and down, it would be difficult to take a measurement from it.

A horse’s back might be arched, or he could have a naturally low or high back, depending on his breed. It would be difficult to obtain an exact measurement. When measuring a horse, the withers are the most stable location to measure from.

Horse measuring sticks are easy to use.

It is perfectly OK to measure horses using an ordinary tape measure. However, it may be difficult to maneuver around horses while still getting an exact measurement. A measuring stick is the most straightforward tool to use and provides the highest possibility for the user to accurately measure an animal. Horse height and weight tapes are available on Amazon for a reasonable price (see this link for more information). Measurement sticks are long bars with markings attached to them, with a horizontal bar that glides up and down the rod as you measure.

These instruments produce a more precise output and contain indications to distinguish between hands, inches, and centimeters, allowing for simple conversion between the three units.

However, fractional hands do not transfer to decimal hands in the same way.

Converting hands to inches is simple.

If this were written in the traditional decimal format, it would be written as 14.5 instead of 14. The.5 would represent one-half of four inches. The horse in our illustration stands at 58 inches in height. 58 inches is equivalent to 14/4=56 + 2 inches, or 58 inches. The normal riding horse will typically stand between 15 and 17 hands tall. While a draft horse may reach heights of over 20 hands, tiny horses can only achieve heights of less than eight hands. To learn more about the size of jockeys, go visit this page.

What is the average height of a horse in hands?

Do you have a horse of your own? Alternatively, are you considering purchasing one? If this is the case, you may be wondering how large they grow. At the withers, the typical height of a horse is around 15 hands tall. Taking this measurement begins at the highest point on the horse’s back, which is located just in front of the shoulder blades. Please don’t be concerned if your horse is a bit taller or shorter than this; horses come in a variety of forms and sizes. Some breeds, like as the Shire, are renowned for being on the taller side of the spectrum.

So, how does your horse’s height compare to that of the general population?

Several popular horse breeds’ average heights are listed in this section.

Horse Breed	Height in hands
Thoroughbred	16 hands
Quarter Horse	15.1 hands
Arabian	15 hands
Shire	17 hands
Friesian	15.3 hands
Morgan	15 hands
Standardbred	15.5 hands
Icelandic	13 hands
Belgian	16.5 hands
Appaloosa	15 hands
Tennessee Walking Horse	15.2 hands

Heights of Different Types of Horses: How Do You Compare?

Worldwide, there are three basic varieties of horses to be found, and each of these groups is distinct in its own way. When it comes to horses, one of the most interesting characteristics is their height, which varies greatly from one breed to another. Large draft breeds, Warmbloods, and hot-blooded horses are the three most common types of horses in existence. All horses, but particularly large draft types, stand between 16 and 18 hands high, making them the tallest of all breeds.

Compared to the draft breeds, warmbloods are slightly shorter on average, standing at around 15.2-16.2 hands high in most cases. Finally, hot-bloods are the smallest of the three species of horses on average, standing at an average height of 15.2 hands high on average.

Does the entire equestrian world use the hand unit of measurement?

A topic that has baffled me for years is whether or not we all measure horses in hands, or whether this is a uniquely American phenomenon. There are many various ways to measure horses across the world, and many countries have their own unique methodology, as it turns out. Throughout the world, horses are measured in a variety of different ways, but the Hand is the most commonly used unit of measurement. Horses are most commonly measured in hands in the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe, whereas in other countries such as France, Spain, and Germany, horses are most commonly measured in meters.

Do Taller Racehorses Run Faster?

The height of certain Thoroughbreds always astounds me when I’m at the track, and this is no exception. Each season, they appear to grow in height relative to the preceding season; this led me to ponder if horses are being bred for height and if taller horses run quicker than shorter horses. Taller racehorses do not run quicker than their shorter counterparts. The height of a racehorse is not a factor in determining its running speed. In comparison to thoroughbreds, quarter horses are lesser in height, yet they are faster over certain distances.

What matters is the length of the step as well as the frequency of the stride.

Stride length is critical to horse speed.

A horse’s stride is the distance it travels in a single bound when running. A horse’s stride is defined as the distance between where his front foot first contacts the ground and where that same foot strikes the ground again. The typical stride length of a racehorse is around 20 feet. The champion Man O’ War, on the other hand, had a stride length of 28 feet.

Stride rate is important in racehorse speed.

The stride rate (also known as the turnover ratio) is the number of strides a racehorse completes in a given amount of time. For the most part, racehorses run between 130 and 140 strides per minute on the track. Because they are faster, they will be able to increase their speed without slowing down. Champion horses may move at a rate of more than 160 strides per minute in some cases. Quarter horses, on average, move more quickly than thoroughbreds in their stride pace. Thoroughbreds, on the other hand, must sustain their stride across a greater distance and for a longer period of time.

The proper equilibrium of the body’s anatomical systems is required for the racehorse to run efficiently while taking such a lengthy stride and sustaining a high stride frequency.

Horses draw in a lot of oxygen when running.

The intake of oxygen must be enhanced. Horses breathe through their noses as they stretch their bodies during a race, and when they tighten their legs inside, they exhale through their mouths. The heart of a racehorse must also be operating at peak performance. The heart of an aracehorse can pump up to 75 liters of blood per minute, increasing the number of oxygen-rich red blood cells in the body’s circulation.

During the race, this ensures that the horse receives the essential oxygen. The heart of a typical horse weighs between 9 and 10 pounds on average. Stride angle is another phrase that is used to describe the pace of a horse during racing.

Stride angle affects a horses speed.

Stride angle is a measurement of the distance between a horse’s front and hind feet, which is often taken at the time of a horse’s rear foot pushing off. The stride angle, in other words, is a measure for determining how much a horse will flatten out during a racing event. Racehorses with higher stride angles will have a longer stride length as a result of this. Secretariat had the greatest stride angles of any racehorse, with 110 degrees, according to an analysis of stride angle data. Proponents feel that the stride angle of a racehorse is an important aspect in influencing the success of the horse.

The length of a horse’s stride and the velocity at which it moves are the two most significant characteristics of a fast racer.

Interesting Facts about Smaller Horses:

The general consensus appears to be that larger is better when it comes to humans; however, this is not always the case when it comes to horses.

• Seabiscuit was a little racehorse, even for his day. He had a successful racing career and is the topic of several racehorse novels
• John Henry is another little racehorse who has had a successful racing career. He became the first horse to win more than $4,000,000.00 in a single race. Sir Walter Gilbey wrote a book titled “Small Horses in Warfare,” which was released in 1900 and detailed his career profits of more than $6,000,000.00. After retiring, he spent the rest of his life in retirement. For example, during the Crimean War, horses ridden by Armenian and Bashi Bazouks constantly performed “above the capability of the English Thoroughbred cavalry,” citing example after example of how horses 13.2 to 14.3 excelled large horses in practically every attempt
• In November of 1889, D. Peschkof, a Cossack, embarked on a journey from Blagoveshchensk, Siberia. Despite the fact that his horse and trappings weighed 180 pounds, he rode 5,478 miles in 193 days on his pony, which was just 12.3 hands in height. During the winter, the pony, called Seri, traveled across Siberia at an average speed of 37 kilometers per day. Incredible! l

What is the tallest horse?

It was an English Shire horse named Sampson, who lived in the 1850s, that was the tallest horse I could find. Sampson was described as being 21.2 1/2 hands (7 feet 2-1/2 inches at his withers) and weighing 3,300 pounds, according to legend. Shires are still the most common breed of draft horse in the world.

What is the smallest horse?

The world’s tiniest horse was a 14-inch pony from New Hampshire, which was the smallest ever recorded. Einstein was his given name. The original horse, on the other hand, was roughly the size of a golden retriever.

How tall is a 16 hand horse in feet?

A sixteen-hand horse stands 5’4′′ tall. Because a hand measurement is 4 inches, a sixteen-hand horse is 64 inches tall (416), or 416 inches tall. When measured in feet, 64 inches equals five foot four and a half inches.