Why is it important to measure something? Think about the last pair of tennis shoes you wore. Did they fit you? What happens if your tennis shoes are two big or too small? How do you know what shoes to buy at the store?

Now, let's think about horses. Why is it important to know how tall a horse is? How do you determine the height of a horse? Write your ideas on a piece of paper.

You have probably heard the term "hands" used to describe a horse's height. Have you ever wondered what this term means? In this activity, you will learn how to measure the height of a horse.

The Mane Event

Measure Yourself!

This activity is more fun if done with friends. Tape paper on a wall at about the height of your head. Take off your shoes and stand with your back against the wall. Have someone lay a flat ruler on your head and mark the paper where the ruler hits. Do this for each person.

Now use a yardstick, ruler, or tape measure up from the floor to the marks on the paper to find out how tall each person is in inches. Write this number next to the mark and put the person's name next to it. Record your height in the chart. Look at your mark on the wall. Is it higher, lower, or about the same height as the highest point of your horse's withers?

Measure a Horse

Ask an adult to help you with this activity. Keep safety in mind and do not startle the horse. You may want to use a plumb line because it is hard to use a yardstick without the support of a wall. A plumb line is a small, pointed weight attached to the end of a string. Horizontally place a ruler at the highest point on the horse's withers. Then drop the plumb line from the ruler. Let the weight barely touch the ground. Measure the length of string from the ruler to the ground including the weight. Record the numbers. Measuring your horse accurately can take practice. You may want to measure your horse several times to get an accurate number.

Note: if you have a horse of your own, you can complete this activity with your horse. If you do not have a horse of your own, visit a stable and ask for permission to measure one of their horses.

Give yourself a hand!

Time for a little math. Take your height in inches (no fractions; round up or down to the nearest whole number) and divide it by four. Do the same for your horse. Enter your answers on the chart.

Hand = Number of inches at highest point of withers divided by 4

My height in inches: __________

Divided by 4: __________

= __________ hands

My horse's height in inches: __________

Divided by 4: __________

= __________ hands

Horse Sense: Horse Body Language

Horses use their bodies to show other horses or people how they are feeling. Rapidly swishing or ringing their tails can signal anger. When a horse lowers its head or licks and makes chewing motions, it is showing a readiness to cooperate. If a horse raises its head up high and pricks its ears forward, it can signal surprise or attention to something the horse is unsure about. Horses show affection to each other by standing side-by-side facing opposite directions and scratching the other horse's withers with their teeth. A horse can tell another horse to stay away or leave by laying back its ears, opening its mouth and showing its teeth or biting, turning its rear toward the other horse and lifting a hind leg, or by kicking and charging the other horse. Visit the horse curriculum website for additional resources.

Stable Talk:

Once you have completed the graphic organizer, discuss the following questions:

Horsin' Around (Share what you did)
- Were you surprised at how tall you were compared to your horse? Why or why not?
Bits & Pieces (Process what's important)
- Why is horse height measured? Why is it important to have a universal way to describe horse height for everyone to use?
Horsepower (Apply to your life)
- What does your height tell your doctor? What other measurements does your doctor take?
Galloping Ahead (apply what you learned)
- How does knowing what a hand is help you read advertisements about horses? What horse height is the best for you now? In the future?
Riding into the Sunset (Careers)
- List three equine-related careers where math knowledge is required.

Stable Talk:

1. Explore how other items are measured. Think about items such as cooking ingredients, temperature, and distance, and how they are all measured using different methods.

2. Ask three friends or family members how tall they are; then tell them how tall they are in hands. Share with your project helper.

3. Visit a local stable or horse barn and practice measuring the height of an actual horse. Have an adult help you and check your progress.

4. Measure your height and the height of three friends. converting measurements into hands. When you grow up, will you be as tall as your parents? Next explore how family history plays a part in the height of a horse.