Traditionally, a horse's height is calculated in hands, one hand being equal to four inches. The measurment is taken from the ground level to the highest point on the horse's withers.

A hand is equal to 4 inches. The 3 inches in between each hand measurement are denoted as decimal measurements, therefore a horse which is described as 14.1 hands is 14 hands + 1 inch.

Horses are beginning to be measured in cm however hands are still in common use. All miniature horses and ponies under 10 hands are always measured in either inches or cms.

Here is a handy table that will convert your horse's height in hands to show you how many inches, feet, or meters tall your horse is.