08/29/2025
Horses are measured in hands, a practice that has been around for centuries. This measurement system originated with the ancient Egyptians and was initially based on the breadth of a human hand. In 1541, King Henry VIII of England defined a hand as four inches, which became the standard measurement for a man’s hand. The use of hands for measuring horses is prevalent because it establishes a standardized system across different breeds and regions. For international competition regulated by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) and for competition in the US, a horse can be measured with shoes on or off. In the United Kingdom, official measurement of horses is overseen by the Joint Measurement Board, which states that the shoes must be removed and the hooves correctly prepared for shoeing prior to measurement. This uniformity ensures that horse breeders and riders can easily communicate and compare horse sizes regardless of their location. It’s important to note that horses are not measured to the top of the head; instead, the measurement stops at the withers, which are the bony prominence between the shoulder blades. This reliable and consistent marker serves as a reliable indicator of a horse’s height.
