If you are learning about horse sizes, buying a horse, or researching equestrian terms, you may wonder: how many feet is 17 hands on a horse? Horses are traditionally measured in “hands,” which can confuse people unfamiliar with equine measurements.

The quick answer is:

$17\text{ hands}\times4\text{ inches}=68\text{ inches}$ 17 hands×4 inches=68 inches

Since every hand equals 4 inches, a 17-hand horse measures:

$68\text{ inches}\div12=5.67\text{ feet}$ 68 inches÷12=5.67 feet

So:

A 17-hand horse is approximately 5.67 feet tall
Or about 5 feet 8 inches tall

This guide explains horse height measurements, hands-to-feet conversions, horse size comparisons, and practical examples.

Understanding Horse Height Measurements

Before converting hands into feet, it helps to understand how horse measurements work.

What Does “Hands” Mean?

A “hand” is a traditional unit used to measure horse height.

One hand equals:

$1\text{ hand}=4\text{ inches}$ 1 hand=4 inches

This system has been used for centuries in the horse industry.

Why Horses Are Measured in Hands

The hand measurement system became popular because it was simple and practical before modern measuring tools existed.

Today, horses are still officially measured in hands in:

Horse shows
Breed registries
Veterinary records
Sales listings

How Many Feet Is 17 Hands on a Horse?

To convert 17 hands into feet:

First convert hands into inches:

$17\times4=68\text{ inches}$ 17×4=68 inches

Then convert inches into feet:

$68\div12=5.67\text{ feet}$ 68÷12=5.67 feet

Final result:

$17\text{ hands}=5\text{ feet }8\text{ inches}$ 17 hands=5 feet 8 inches

This makes a 17-hand horse quite tall compared to average riding horses.

Hands to Feet Conversion Formula

Horse height conversions use a simple formula.

Standard Formula

To convert hands into inches:

$\text{Inches}=\text{Hands}\times4$ Inches=Hands×4

Then convert inches into feet:

$\text{Feet}=\frac{\text{Inches}}{12}$ Feet=12Inches

Example Calculation

For a 17-hand horse:

Step 1: Convert to Inches

$17\times4=68$ 17×4=68

Step 2: Convert to Feet

$68\div12=5.67$ 68÷12=5.67

Answer:

5 feet 8 inches tall

How Horse Height Is Measured

Horse height is measured differently from human height.

Measuring From the Withers

Horses are measured from the ground to the:

Withers

The withers are the highest point of the horse’s shoulders.

The head and neck are not included because they move constantly.

Proper Measuring Tools

Professionals use:

Horse measuring sticks
Measuring tapes designed for horses

These tools improve accuracy.

Importance of Level Ground

Horses should stand on flat, level ground during measurement.

Uneven surfaces can produce incorrect results.

Horse Height Conversion Chart

Here is a helpful horse height chart.

Hands	Inches	Feet & Inches
14 hands	56 inches	4 ft 8 in
15 hands	60 inches	5 ft
16 hands	64 inches	5 ft 4 in
17 hands	68 inches	5 ft 8 in
18 hands	72 inches	6 ft

This chart helps compare horse sizes quickly.

Is a 17-Hand Horse Tall?

Yes. A 17-hand horse is considered tall.

Average Horse Heights

Most riding horses measure between:

$14\text{ to }16\text{ hands}$ 14 to 16 hands

That equals approximately:

4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 4 inches

Tall Horse Breeds

Many large horse breeds exceed 17 hands, including:

Thoroughbreds
Warmbloods
Draft horses
Shires
Clydesdales

Draft Horses vs Riding Horses

Draft horses are generally taller and heavier than standard riding horses.

Some draft horses exceed:

$18\text{ hands}$ 18 hands

Real-World Examples of 17-Hand Horses

Many competitive and working horses stand around 17 hands tall.

Sport Horses

Tall warmbloods used in:

Dressage
Show jumping
Eventing

Often range from 16 to 17 hands.

Thoroughbreds

Racehorses are commonly:

15.5 to 17 hands tall

Tall Thoroughbreds often have longer strides.

Draft Horse Crosses

Crossbred horses used for ranch work or trail riding may also reach 17 hands.

Common Horse Measurement Mistakes

Horse height measurements can confuse beginners.

Misunderstanding Decimal Hands

Horse heights sometimes appear as:

17.2 hands

This does not mean 17.2 decimal hands.

It means:

17 hands and 2 inches

Because each hand equals 4 inches.

Measuring the Head

Horse height stops at the withers, not the ears or head.

Incorrect Ground Position

Uneven footing creates inaccurate measurements.

Expert Tips for Measuring Horses

Professionals recommend careful measuring techniques.

Use a Measuring Stick

A proper horse measuring stick provides accurate height readings.

Keep the Horse Standing Naturally

The horse should stand squarely with balanced posture.

Understand Breed Standards

Different horse breeds have different ideal height ranges.

Knowing breed standards helps when buying or showing horses.

Real-World Example

Suppose you are shopping for a horse listed as:

17 hands tall

Using the conversion:

$17\times4=68\text{ inches}$ 17×4=68 inches

Then:

$68\div12=5\text{ ft }8\text{ in}$ 68÷12=5 ft 8 in

You now know the horse stands approximately:

5 feet 8 inches at the withers

FAQs

1. How many feet is 17 hands on a horse?

A 17-hand horse is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall.

2. How many inches are in one hand?

One hand equals 4 inches.

3. Is a 17-hand horse considered tall?

Yes. Most riding horses are between 14 and 16 hands.

4. Where is horse height measured?

Horse height is measured from the ground to the withers.

5. What does 17.2 hands mean?

It means 17 hands and 2 inches, not a decimal measurement.

Conclusion

Understanding how many feet is 17 hands on a horse becomes easy once you know the traditional hand measurement system. Since: