A horse's height is measured while the horse is standing on a level, flat surface. The measurement is taken from the front hooves to the highest point on the withers. The measurement is in hands* with each hand being 4 inches. The horse in the picture is approximately 19.2 hands (78 inches).
Each long mark on this picture (those shown with numbers) indicate 1 hand or 4 inches. Each mark between the long marks is equal to 1 inch. Thus a measurement of 19.2 hands equals 19 and a half hands. It is incorrect to state the height in fractions. Example: This horse is 19.2 not 19.5 (indicating a half a hand). * See picture below. |