Have you ever wondered how to determine the height of your horse or any horse for that matter? Chances are, if you're part of the equestrian community, you'll have heard people describe the height of a horse in "hands." You might have heard someone saying a specific horse is "17 hands tall" and may have been curious about what that means. In this article, we'll break down how to measure a horse's height and then explain how tall 17 hands is on a horse.
How Tall Is 17 Hands On A Horse Table of Contents
Understanding the Measurement: What is a Hand?
The term "hand" is commonly used to describe the height of a horse, with one hand equalling four inches. It's believed that this method of measuring horses dates back to ancient Egypt, where the hand was used as a consistent and practical measuring tool. This unit remains widely used in the equestrian world today, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Measuring Horses in Hands
When measuring the height of a horse, typically, the measurement is taken from the ground to the highest point of the withers, which is the ridge between the horse's shoulder blades. To give you an idea, here is a step-by-step guide to measure your horse's height in hands:
1. Ensure that your horse is standing on level ground, with its legs positioned squarely under its body.
2. Use a measuring tape or measuring stick that has hands and inches marked.
3. Place the end of the measuring tool on the ground next to your horse, and extend it up until it is level with the withers' highest point.
4. Read the measurement at the withers, recording the height in hands and inches.
Converting Hands to Other Measurements
If you need to convert hands into other measurements, it is essential to remember that one hand equals four inches. Once you have determined the number of hands tall your horse is, simply multiply that by four to convert the height into inches. If necessary, you can then convert inches to feet by dividing by twelve.
Determining 17 Hands on a Horse
To determine how tall a horse is when standing 17 hands high, follow these calculations:
1. Multiply 17 hands by 4 inches to convert into inches (17 x 4 = 68 inches).
2. Since there are 12 inches in a foot, divide the total number of inches by 12 to convert into feet (68 ÷ 12 = 5.67 feet).
So, when someone describes a horse as 17 hands tall, it means the horse is approximately 68 inches or 5.67 feet high at the withers. This height is considered tall for a horse, making it suitable for riders who are also taller. Horse breeds such as the Thoroughbred, Irish Draught, and Belgian Warmblood often fall within this height range.
How Tall Is 17 Hands On A Horse Example:
Imagine you are visiting a horse farm and come across a stunning Thoroughbred horse. The owner of the farm explains that the horse is 17 hands tall. Utilizing the knowledge provided in this article, you would now understand that this specific horse is approximately 68 inches or 5.67 feet high at the withers. This would give you a good indication of whether the horse is suitable for your needs and help you better gauge the size and stature of other horses you may encounter in the future.
Now that you've learned all about horse height measurements, you'll be better prepared to understand and describe the size of any horse you come across. We hope this guide has provided valuable information in helping you determine what 17 hands tall means and how it relates to a horse's height. If you found this article informative and helpful, we encourage you to share it with other equestrian enthusiasts who might also benefit from learning about horse height measurements. And don't forget to explore other informative and engaging guides on the How to Own a Horse blog to enhance your knowledge and become a more confident horse owner.
