Horse and Pony Height: Conversion from Hands (hh) to Centimeters (cm)
When purchasing a horse or pony, or simply trying to understand how horses are measured, it’s important to know the different units used to describe their height. Traditionally, horses are measured in hands (hh), but in many European countries, including Sweden, centimeters (cm) are also commonly used to give a more precise representation of the horse’s size. In this guide, we explain how the conversion between hands and centimeters works, and we provide a useful conversion table to help you understand horse heights in both measurements.
What is a “Hand” (hh)?
A hand is an old unit of measurement used to measure the height of horses. 1 hand is equal to 4 inches, or approximately 10.16 cm. When discussing horses, height is often expressed in whole hands, and sometimes in fractions of a hand, for example, 14.2 hh (14 hands and 2 inches).
Why Are Horses Measured in Hands (hh)?
The tradition of measuring horses in hands (hh) dates back to historical times when people needed a simple and portable unit to measure their horses. One hand was easy to use for horse traders and farmers who did not always have access to more precise measuring tools. Today, hands are still used in competitions and breeding, although centimeters are the more commonly used unit in many parts of the world, especially in Europe.
Conversion from Hands (hh) to Centimeters (cm)
To help you better understand horse height, here is a practical conversion table from hands (hh) to centimeters (cm). Use the table to quickly convert a horse’s height from hands to centimeters and vice versa.
Conversion Table: Hands (hh) to Centimeters (cm)
| Hands (hh) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|---|
| 10.0 | 101.60 |
| 10.1 | 104.14 |
| 10.2 | 106.68 |
| 10.3 | 109.22 |
| 11.0 | 111.76 |
| 11.1 | 114.30 |
| 11.2 | 116.84 |
| 11.3 | 119.38 |
| 12.0 | 121.92 |
| 12.1 | 124.46 |
| 12.2 | 127.00 |
| 12.3 | 129.54 |
| 13.0 | 132.08 |
| 13.1 | 134.62 |
| 13.2 | 137.16 |
| 13.3 | 139.70 |
| 14.0 | 142.24 |
| 14.1 | 144.78 |
| 14.2 | 147.32 |
| 14.3 | 149.86 |
| 15.0 | 152.40 |
| 15.1 | 154.94 |
| 15.2 | 157.48 |
| 15.3 | 160.02 |
| 16.0 | 162.56 |
| 16.1 | 165.10 |
| 16.2 | 167.64 |
| 16.3 | 170.18 |
| 17.0 | 172.72 |
| 17.1 | 175.26 |
| 17.2 | 177.80 |
| 17.3 | 180.34 |
| 18.0 | 182.88 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Height
1. What is a pony?
A pony is a horse that stands 148 cm or shorter at the withers (the highest point of the horse’s back, near the shoulder). Ponies are typically measured in centimeters in Europe, while horses are often measured in hands.
2. How do I know if my horse is a pony or a horse?
If your horse is over 148 cm tall at the withers, it is classified as a horse. If it is 148 cm or shorter, it is considered a pony, regardless of breed.
3. Why is knowing a horse’s height important?
A horse’s height influences what it can be used for. A smaller pony is often better suited for children or smaller riders, while a larger horse may be more suitable for adult riders or for competition in disciplines like jumping or dressage.
Summary
Understanding how horses are measured and how the conversion between hands (hh) and centimeters (cm) works is an important part of choosing the right horse or pony for your needs. Use our conversion table to quickly determine your horse’s height in both measurement units. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious about a horse’s size, this information gives you the knowledge you need.
Keywords: horse height, hands to centimeters, horse height conversion, pony height, hands hh to cm, measuring horse height, hands hh, pony height conversion.
