These are some very basic facts you should know about horses/ponies! :)
Measuring Horses and Ponies
- You measure a horse's and pony's height in hands. Each hand equals four inches. If a horse was 15.2 hands high, it is 15 hands high and the 2 stands for 2 fingers.
- hh stands for hands, e.g. 14hh = 14 hands.
- You measure a horse or ponies height from their withers. See below:
- Horses are 14.2 hands high or higher. Ponies are less than 14.2 hands.
Mares/Stallions/Colts and Fillies
- A female horse/pony of or over the age of 4 years old is called a mare.
- A female horse/pony under the age of 4 years old is called a filly.
- A male horse/pony of or over the age of 4 years old is called a stallion.
- A male horse/pony under the age of 4 years old is called a colt.
- A male horse/pony that has been castrated (so he can't breed) is called a gelding.
You can tell how old a horse is by their teeth!
Hooves
Hooves are made out of the same material that our fingernails are made out of! You need horse's and pony's hooves to be shod every 6 weeks to keep them trim!
Gaits
Horses and ponies generally have 4 different gaits.
They are:
However, some breeds have different gaits. Learn more about different gaits in the Breed Encyclopedia!
They are:
- Walk
- Trot
- Canter
- Gallop
However, some breeds have different gaits. Learn more about different gaits in the Breed Encyclopedia!