Horses are measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers.
COURTESY UNITED STATES PONY CLUB
It’s good to know the actual height of your horse, especially if you are showing, shipping, or selling him. Horses are measured in hands. Each hand is 4 inches. Horses can be 15.3 hands, but they can’t be 15.4 hands—that would actually be a 16-hand horse.
Horses measure over 14.2 hands; a pony measures 14.2 hands or under. For some competitions, ponies have to be measured to obtain an official “pony card.” The card puts them in the appropriate height category: small ponies measure 12.2 hands and under, medium ponies measure 12.3 hands to 13.2 hands, and large ponies measure 13.3 to 14.2 hands.