Horse anatomy
Withers
The ridge between the shoulder blades. A common place to measure a horse’s height.
A closer look
The withers are the bony ridge at the base of the neck, between the shoulder blades, and the highest point of a horse's back. They are formed by unusually tall spines on the vertebrae in this area. Because the withers don't move up and down the way the head does, they are the standard place to measure a horse's height.
Why it matters
Height is measured from the ground to the top of the withers, often in hands, where one hand equals 4 inches (10.16 centimeters). The withers also matter for saddle fit, because a saddle or pad that presses on them can cause painful sores.
Care tip
A height written as 15.2 hands is read "fifteen-two" and means 15 hands and 2 inches, or 62 inches. When saddling, check that you can fit a couple of fingers between the front of the saddle and the withers.
Common mistake
It's easy to assume a tall horse is harder to handle than a small one. Height tells you size, not temperament: a calm, well-trained big horse can be easier than a lively pony.
Fun fact
Horses often groom each other around the withers, and a study found that scratching there can help lower a horse's heart rate.