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
cm Hands Inches
183 18 72
180.5 17.3 71
178 17.2 70
175.5 17.1 69
172.5 17 68
170 16.3 67
167.5 16.2 66
165 16.1 65
162.5 16 64
160 15.3 63
157.5 15.2 62
155 15.1 61
152.5 15 60
150 14.3 59
Ponies
cm Hands Inches
147.5 14.2 58
145 14.1 57
142 14 56
139.5 13.3 55
137 13.2 54
134.5 13.1 53
132 13 52
129.5 12.3 51
127 12.2 50
124.5 12.1 49
122 12 48
119.5 11.3 47
117 11.2 46
114.5 11.1 45
112 11 44

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.