Editing Horse (section)

==Size and measurement==
The height of horses is measured at the highest point of the [[withers]], where the neck meets the [[back (horse)|back]].<ref name=Whitaker77>[[#Whitaker|Whitaker]], p. 77</ref> This point is used because it is a stable point of the anatomy, unlike the head or neck, which move up and down in relation to the body of the horse.

[[File:Horse-and-pony.jpg|thumb|Size varies greatly among horse breeds, as with this full-sized horse and small pony.|alt=A large brown horse is chasing a small horse in a pasture.]]
In English-speaking countries, the height of horses is often stated in units of [[Hand (unit)|hands]] and inches: one hand is equal to {{convert|101.6|mm|in|0|order=flip}}. The height is expressed as the number of full hands, followed by a [[radix point|point]], then the number of additional inches, and ending with the abbreviation "h" or "hh" (for "hands high"). Thus, a horse described as "15.2 h" is 15 hands plus 2&nbsp;inches, for a total of {{convert|62|in|cm|1}} in height.<ref name=Ensminger51>[[#Ensminger|Ensminger]], p. 51</ref>

The size of horses varies by breed, but also is influenced by [[equine nutrition|nutrition]]. Light-riding horses usually range in height from {{hands|14|to|16|lk=off}} and can weigh from {{convert|380|to|550|kg}}.<ref>[[#Bongianni|Bongianni]], entries 1, 68, 69</ref> Larger-riding horses usually start at about {{hands|15.2|lk=off}} and often are as tall as {{hands|17|lk=off}}, weighing from {{convert|500|to|600|kg|sigfig=3}}.<ref>[[#Bongianni|Bongianni]], entries 12, 30, 31, 32, 75</ref> Heavy or [[draft horse]]s are usually at least {{hands|16|lk=off}} high and can be as tall as {{hands|18|lk=off}} high. They can weigh from about {{convert|700|to|1000|kg|sigfig=3}}.<ref>[[#Bongianni|Bongianni]], entries 86, 96, 97</ref>

The largest horse in recorded history was probably a [[Shire horse]] named [[Sampson (horse)|Mammoth]], who was born in 1848. He stood {{hands|21.2+1/4|lk=off}} high and his peak weight was estimated at {{convert|1524|kg}}.<ref name=Whitaker60>[[#Whitaker|Whitaker]], p. 60</ref> The record holder for the smallest horse ever is [[Thumbelina (horse)|Thumbelina]], a fully mature [[miniature horse]] affected by [[dwarfism]]. She was {{convert|17|in|cm hand|lk=off|order=flip}} tall and weighed {{convert|57|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref>{{cite news | title = World's smallest horse has tall order | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/19/AR2007031901754.html | date = 2007-03-19 | newspaper = [[The Washington Post]] | agency = [[Associated Press]] | author = Douglas, Jeff | access-date = 2017-03-14 | archive-date = 2017-03-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170315174315/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/19/AR2007031901754.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-05|title=Meet the smallest horse in the world that's shorter than a greyhound|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2019/9/meet-the-smallest-horse-in-the-world-thats-shorter-than-a-greyhound-588674|access-date=2021-07-06|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB|archive-date=2021-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804002359/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2019/9/meet-the-smallest-horse-in-the-world-thats-shorter-than-a-greyhound-588674|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ponies===
{{Main|Pony}}
[[Pony|Ponies]] are [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomically]] the same animals as horses. The distinction between a horse and pony is commonly drawn on the basis of height, especially for competition purposes. However, height alone is not dispositive; the difference between horses and ponies may also include aspects of [[phenotype]], including conformation and temperament.

The traditional standard for height of a horse or a pony at maturity is {{hands|14.2|lk=off}}. An animal {{hands|14.2|lk=off}} or over is usually considered to be a horse and one less than {{hands|14.2|lk=off}} a pony,{{r|EnsmingerHT|page=12}} but there are many exceptions to the traditional standard. In Australia, ponies are considered to be those under {{hands|14|lk=off}}.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Howlett, Lorna |author2=Philip Mathews |title=Ponies in Australia |publisher=Philip Mathews Publishers |location=Milson's Point, NSW |isbn=0-908001-13-4 |year=1979 |page=14}}</ref> For competition in the [[western riding|Western]] division of the [[United States Equestrian Federation]], the cutoff is {{hands|14.1|lk=off}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/RuleBook/rulebooks.aspx |title=2012 United States Equestrian Federation, Inc. Rule Book |publisher=United States Equestrian Federation |page=Rule WS 101 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415003731/http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/RuleBook/rulebooks.aspx |archive-date=2012-04-15 }}</ref> The [[International Federation for Equestrian Sports]], the world governing body for horse sport, uses [[metric system|metric]] measurements and defines a pony as being any horse measuring less than {{convert|148|cm|in|2}} at the withers without shoes, which is just over {{hands|14.2|lk=off}}, and {{convert|149|cm|in hands|2|lk=off}}, with shoes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fei.org/sites/default/files/Annex%20XVII%20-%20Extracts%20Ponies.pdf | title=Annex XVII: Extracts from Rules for Pony Riders and Children, 9th edition | publisher=Fédération Equestre Internationale | year=2009 | access-date=2010-03-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911122158/http://www.fei.org/sites/default/files/Annex%20XVII%20-%20Extracts%20Ponies.pdf | archive-date=2012-09-11 }}</ref>

Height is not the sole criterion for distinguishing horses from ponies. [[Breed registry|Breed registries]] for horses that typically produce individuals both under and over {{hands|14.2|lk=off}} consider all animals of that breed to be horses regardless of their height.<ref>For example, the [[Missouri Fox Trotter]], or the [[Arabian horse]]. See [[#McBane|McBane]], pp. 192, 218</ref> Conversely, some pony breeds may have features in common with horses, and individual animals may occasionally mature at over {{hands|14.2|lk=off}}, but are still considered to be ponies.<ref>For example, the [[Welsh Pony]]. See [[#McBane|McBane]], pp. 52–63</ref>

Ponies often exhibit thicker manes, tails, and overall coat. They also have proportionally shorter legs, wider barrels, heavier {{glossary link|glossary=Glossary of equestrian terms|bone}}, shorter and thicker necks, and short heads with broad foreheads. They may have calmer temperaments than horses and also a high level of intelligence that may or may not be used to cooperate with human handlers.{{r|EnsmingerHT|pages=11-12}}{{Failed verification|date=April 2024|reason=Is not found on pages 11-12, and doesn't appear to be in this book.}} Small size, by itself, is not an exclusive determinant. For example, the [[Shetland pony]] which averages {{hands|10|lk=off}}, is considered a pony.{{r|EnsmingerHT|page=12}}Conversely, breeds such as the [[Falabella]] and other [[miniature horse]]s, which can be no taller than {{convert|30|in|cm hand|lk=off|order=flip}}, are classified by their [[breed registry|registries]] as very small horses, not ponies.<ref>[[#McBane|McBane]], p. 200</ref>