Dudley's Page

My Pony Facts

Now then, I have many many pony facts to share with you. I will start with these few facts, and then add to them when I have time (time between eating, being stroked and taking little children for rides - I’m very busy you know). Be sure to keep checking my facts page to see all the latest additions.

Dudley xxxx

The Shetland Pony
The Shetland Pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles (northeast of mainland Scotland). We Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of about 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches (10.2 hands, 107 centimetres at the withers). Shetland Ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered to be quite intelligent (now I agree, this is very true !!).

Withers
The withers are the highest point on the back of a horse or pony, on the ridge between it's shoulder blades. The withers are used to measure the height of a horse or pony.

Height in Hands
Hands are used to describe the pony or horses height. I find this measurement a bit confusing so I have done a bit of research to understand what a hand is. A horse or pony’s height is measured from the ground to their withers. The ‘hand’ measurement was based on a man’s hand. As hand sizes can differ (I bet you have different sized hands to some of your friends don't you?) a standard ‘hand’ size was reached, which is 4 inches. So, a 11 hands pony is 44 inches (112 centimetres) in height measured from the ground to their withers (11*4 = 44) and an 11.2 hands pony is 46 inches (117 centimetres) in height (I worked this out by doing 11*2 = 44 + 2 inches (which is the .2) which equals 46 - Charlie helped me with this calculation!!)

The Difference Between a Horse and a Pony
The difference between a horse and a pony is defined by their height. It is generally accepted that a pony has a height of less than 14.2 hands, meaning a horse is 14.2 hands or more.
Can you work out what 14.2 hands would be in inches or centimetres?