If any of you knows anything about horses could you answer two question.
I was watching ESPN and they were talking about BIG BROWN, the horse that won the Derby and Prekness. They were going on about how he was 18 hands high. So First: How high is a hand?
Second: Is that unusual for a race horse to be that big.
Thanks
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manwithoutahorse
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May 20 @ 9:49PM
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If I remember correctly, each hand is 4 inches, measured at the withers; the highest point where the neck and back meet.
Not unusually tall, but a big horse nonetheless.
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straightup_9
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May 21 @ 2:44AM
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Yep..A hand is appx 4 inches...the average width of a man's hand, held flat and measured across the knuckles (not including the thumb)....sooo...18 hands would be 72 inches, or 6 feet..... 
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buatbu
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May 21 @ 5:47AM
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I want to thank both of you for the information you provided. People on here are super friendly. 
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buellriders69
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May 22 @ 11:50AM
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Both comments were correct.... a hand is measured at 4 inches and is measured from the withers to the ground. Big Brown, at 18 hands tall, is fairly close to average for a Thoroughbred. The Thoroughbreds range from about 16 hands to, what I have seen as the tallest Thoroughbred, about 18.4 hands. Now, when the typical horse (ie. Quarter Horses, Arabians, etc.) measures out at an average 15.3 hands to 16 hands, the Thouroughbreds are exceptionally tall. But, when you look at Clydesdales or Perchons, you will find that they often measure out at anywhere from 17 hands to 22 hands. I have seen some Clydesdales taller than 22 hands. When you're standing next to a giant like that, you feel extremely small! I have over 30 years invested into the horse industry and it still amazes me when I get close to the Clydesdales. And, just one other note, kinda off the subject.... for those who have paid attention to the unfortunate demise of Eight Bells in the Kentucky Derby, please don't let all the animal rights activists fool you with their propaganda B.S.... Eight Bells was not raced to death as they would like you to believe. Eight Bells suffered fractures to the splint bones (front legs) just above her fetlocks. It was a genetic condition that was passed on from her Sire. It had nothing to do with how she was ridden. It could have happened in any other race. Eight Bells and a Half Sibling both suffered the same demise as their Sire. It broke my heart to see what happened to her. But, having been in the horse industry as long as I have, I have seen many such things happen due to the genetics of the horse's lineage. All the animal rights activists protest the way the Thoroughbreds are raced yet they do nothing when horses are being sent to slaughter for human consumption....  .... make me wonder.
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ladybootscooter
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May 22 @ 3:58PM
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Yep all true, and while not overly large for a thoroughbred racer, I sure wouldn't want to try to barrel race a horse that tall!  Just sounds pretty damn scary to me!
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