How to measure a horse, and what is a lifetime height? H&H explains...

Ever wondered how to measure a horse? It’s not as straightforward as standing them with their back to a door and marking at the top of their head as you might do with a child. While historically horse height was always recorded in hands, now centimetres is also used, particularly for competition ponies.

But does it really matter exactly how tall a horse or pony is? Well, in some cases, it’s essential. Exceeding a prescribed height can even be grounds for elimination from competition.

Confused? I’m not surprised. Read on for the low-down on how to measure a horse, and why recording height accurately can make or break a horse or pony’s value.

How are horses measured?

There are two important things to remember for how to measure a horse.

The first, horses are measured to their wither, the highest point of the horse’s back above the shoulder and usually around where the mane stops growing. To find the exact point, ask the horse to lower their head and the first point that doesn’t change is the wither.

The second is that horses are typically measured in hands. Hands are an archaic unit of measure that, if you’re unfamiliar, might take a moment to wrap your head around.

As a rough explainer, there are four inches in a hand. So, a horse that is 15 hands high (or hh to give it its abbreviation) is 60 inches tall to the wither.

What happens if a horse is between complete hands? Surely if he were 15 hands and two inches, he would be 15.5hh?

Not quite – here’s where measuring in hands gets quirky. The number after the point shows the additional number of inches, rather than part of a hand.

Therefore, a horse that is 15 hands and two inches is 15.2hh.

Finally, we don’t say 15.4hh, that would be 16hh.

Pony height

Just to make things confusing, ponies are often measured in centimetres to the wither. This is especially true of competition ponies, whose height determines the class they can compete in.

How to measure a horse: step-by-step

To measure a horse, you will need a height stick (like this one on Amazon). These are essentially large rulers showing measurements in hands. They have a sliding arm attached at a right angle with a spirit level that, when resting on the wither, will indicate the height measurement.

Or, you can use a height tape (like this one). I personally find the height tapes cumbersome because they aren’t rigid. However, they are cheaper to buy and easier to store, so there are pros and cons to each.

1. Ask a helper to stand your horse square on a level surface, such as a concrete yard.
2. Stand the height stick upright, parallel with the horse’s wither.
3. Slide the arm down so it’s resting on top of the wither and the spirit level reading is central.
4. Making sure your horse is still standing square, take the height reading from the ruler.

You may need to desensitise your horse to the height stick over a few sessions before you can take an accurate reading. Using positive reinforcement training, gradual practice sessions and allowing your horse to investigate the stick with his nose will help him feel more comfortable.

What is a horse’s “life height”?

Some horses and ponies have their height officially recorded for competitive, passport and/or breed registration purposes.

This is because some competitive classes, particularly pony showjumping and showing classes, have height restrictions and some breed societies will only accept equines within a certain height range.

In order for these horses and ponies be accepted, owners may need to provide concrete proof of their animal’s height. This usually takes the form of an official height certificate.

Because competition horses and ponies can be tremendously valuable for specific classes, a height certificate can be vital to secure a sale.

Similarly, some breeds are highly sought after. A height certificate confirms an individual fits the breed standard – or doesn’t.

In the UK, these are issued by the Joint Measurement Board (JMB), British Showjumping (BS) and the FEI. They were formerly known as life height certificates.

JMB certificates

The basis for JMB measurements is the accurate and repeatable recording of an equine’s lowest relaxed height at the highest point of the wither.

These might be annual height (when the horse is four, five, six or seven, or eight-year-olds who are having their first measurement) or a full height certificate (from eight years old providing there has been one annual measurement the previous year).

An official measurer performs the measurement with a calibrated stick and care is taken to ensure the horse is thoroughly relaxed when the measurement is taken.

JMB’s member societies include the British Connemara Pony Society and British Show Horse Association.

British Showjumping National Pony Measuring and FEI Pony Measuring System

BS used to be a JMB member body, but stopped accepting JMB certificates in early 2024.

Instead, BS introduced a new system of pony measuring from 1 April 2024. This system closely replicates the FEI’s Pony Measuring System. BS pony measuring is undertaken in sessions in various locations around the UK.

Under the BS system, a pony that measures in and is eight years old or older will receive a Lifetime Measuring Certificate. If a pony measures in and is under eight years old, it will receive an Interim Measuring Certificate, which is valid for 15 months.

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