Horse height measurement

In Britain and America, the height of horses is traditionally measured in hands. One hand is equal to 4 inches.

Today, for the purposes of competition, the height is given in centimetres.

When you are filling in event entry forms, horse registration or passport application forms, you will be asked to give the height in centimetres.

The tables on the right give equivalent heights in hands, inches and centimetres.

Horses

Hands Inches cm
18 72 183
17.3 71 180.5
17.2 70 178
17.1 69 175.5
17 68 172.5
16.3 67 170
16.2 66 167.5
16.1 65 165
16 64 162.5
15.3 63 160
15.2 62 157.5
15.1 61 155
15 60 152.5
14.3 59 150

 

Ponies

Hands Inches cm
14.2 58 147.5
14.1 57 145
14 56 142
13.3 55 139.5
13.2 54 137
13.1 53 134.5
13 52 132
12.3 51 129.5
12.2 50 127
12.1 49 124.5
12 48 122
11.3 47 119.5
11.2 46 117
11.1 45 114.5
11 44 112

Extract from FEI Driving Regulations:

Article 914.2 - Height

Driving Ponies must not exceed 148 cm without shoes, or 149 cm with shoes. All Driving Horses over these heights are classified as Horses.

Driving Ponies in Pairs and Four in Hands may not be less than 108 cm without shoes, or 109 cm with shoes.

Single Ponies and Tandems must not be less than 120cms without shoes, 121cms with shoes.

It is the responsibility of the competitor's National Federation to ensure that ponies competing comply with the above criteria.