Horses vary widely in height depending on their breed, but the average height for most horses ranges between 13.3 and 17.3 hands, which is approximately 1.4 to 1.8 meters (56 to 72 inches) tall at the withers (the highest point of the shoulders)
. Here is a breakdown by horse type and breed:
- Ponies: Typically under 14.2 hands (1.47 m or 58 inches). For example, Shetland ponies range from about 7 to 10.2 hands (0.71 to 1.07 m)
- Light riding horses: Usually 14 to 16 hands (1.42 to 1.63 m)
- Larger riding horses: Around 15.2 to 17 hands (1.57 to 1.73 m)
- Draft (heavy) horses: Generally 16 to 18 hands (1.63 to 1.83 m), with some individuals reaching up to 19 hands (1.93 m)
Examples of specific breeds and their average heights include:
Breed| Height (hands)| Height (meters)
---|---|---
Arabian| 14.1–15.3| 1.45–1.60
American Warmblood| 15–17| 1.52–1.73
Clydesdale| 16–18| 1.63–1.83
Hanoverian| 15.3–17.2| 1.60–1.78
Shire| 16–17| 1.63–1.73
Shetland Pony| 7–10.2| 0.71–1.07
The tallest horse on record, a Shire named Sampson, measured 21.2 hands (7 feet 2 inches, or about 2.18 m) at the shoulder
. In summary, most adult horses stand between about 14 and 17 hands tall (1.42 to 1.73 meters), with ponies being smaller and draft horses larger than this range
. One hand equals 4 inches (10.16 cm), and horse height is always measured at the withers for consistency
