How to measure horse with measuring tape?

[amanda1788]

I would like to measure my pony with a measuring tape to see what size he is now, and wondered how do you measure with it properly? Do you measure against the horse from bottom of hoof to withers (eg tape touching horse all way up) or do you measure from floor straight upwards without it touching horse so is straight line, if you get what i'm saying lol. Thanks.

 

[YorkshireLass]

tand the pony square on flat ground. Then get it to put its head down. This will show you the highest part of the withers. You measure from here, straight down to the floor. In a straight line, not touching the horse. If the pony is shod, deduct half an inch.

 

[YorkshireLass]

Forgot to add... if this is an ongoing thing, like you are measuring the progress of a youngster on a regular basis, you might find it easier to make yurself a measuring stick.

Get a piece of dowl, 1" square. Glue your measuring tape to it or mark it off at 4" intervals for hands, and one inch intervals to show you the parts of hands. Then get another piece of dowl, about 1.5 foot long. You need to fix a loop of wire, like coat hanger on to one end so that it goes over your measuring stick and freely moves up and down. Then you rest the short part on the withers, and stand the stick in a straight line. You need to hold the short stick at a right angle to take an accurate measurement. Remember to set it up so that the short piece that rests on the withers doesn' add an inch to the height reading.

 

[amanda1788]

Thank you for your post that has really helped.