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如何估算一匹馬的身高 

How to estimate the height of a horse

馬和矮馬的身高傳統上是用掌（hh）來測量的，而現在有時候（特別是在比賽中或馬匹繁育協會，及在歐洲大陸）用厘米來測量。一掌等于4英寸或10厘米多一點。
Horses and ponies are traditionally measured in hands (hh) and sometimes now (especially by showing or breed societies, and in continental Europe) in centimetres. One hand is equal to 4in or just over 10cm.

馬或矮馬的身高是從地面開始測量到鬐甲最高點的距離，測量結果以掌數和剩余的英寸表示，例如12.1掌（或完全用厘米表示）。測量非常小的矮馬時，如舍特蘭矮馬，可以直接用英寸為單位。任何14.2掌及以下的馬都被歸類為矮馬，高于這個高度的被歸類為馬。例外是馬球馬（無論大小，都使用該術語）和例如法拉貝拉馬（Falabella）或里海馬（Caspian）這樣的品種——或比舍特蘭矮馬更小的迷你馬，但作為一個品種，仍然用“馬”來表示。
The height of a horse or pony is measured from the floor to the highest part of the withers, with the results written as the number of hands and the remaining inches e.g. 12.1hh (or else entirely in centimetres). Very small ponies such as Shetlands may be measured in inches rather than hands. Any animal 14.2hh and under is classed as a pony and any animal above this height as a horse. Exceptions are polo ponies (this term is used regardless of size) and breeds such as the Falabella or Caspian — or miniature horses smaller than Shetlands, but as a breed still use the term ‘horse’.

在大多數情況下，對馬匹的身高是能以描述來說明大概的身高，但有時候則需要精確的測量結果（例如參加特定身高的馬展）。如果你知道自己的身高是多少掌,將有助于你估計一匹馬的身高。你可以站在馬的身旁作為參照物進行比較。
In most cases an approximate height measurement is acceptable when describing a horse, but there will be times when you require a definite measurement (e.g. to enter a height-specific showing class). It will help you to guesstimate the height of a horse if you know how tall you are in hands yourself. This way, when you stand next to the horse you have something with which to compare.

為了準確測量馬的身高，需要使用到量尺。量尺是一根長尺，一邊是掌的刻度,另一邊是英寸或厘米的刻度。一根帶有水平儀的短尺與這根長尺形成直角，平放在馬的鬐甲上，以獲得刻度尺上顯示的高度。并不是所有馬都樂于接受測量，有些馬可能會緊張，不經意變高，而其他馬可能做出“收縮”的反應。請等待馬放松并自然站立，以獲得準確的讀數。
To take an accurate measurement of a horse’s height, a measuring stick is used. This is a long ruler with the height in hands on one side and in inches or centimetres on the other. A shorter ruler with a spirit level sits at right angles to the main stick and is used flat over the horse’s withers to obtain the height against the scale. Not all horses will be happy to be measured and some may tense up and unwittingly grow taller, whereas others may react by ‘shrinking’. Wait for the horse to relax and stand naturally in order to get an accurate reading.

1.在一塊平地上讓馬站正。
1.Stand the horse square on a flat piece of ground.

2.把水平儀拉到量尺的頂部，量尺立在馬身旁，與鬐甲在一條直線上，確保它是水平的。
2. Move the spirit level up to the top of the stick and place the stick next to the horse in line with the withers, making sure it is level.
3.降低水平儀，直到它位于鬐甲的頂部。
3. Lower the spirit level until it sits on top of the withers.
4.向側面滑動量尺，使它與馬匹拉開距離，并查看讀數。
4. Slide the stick sideways away from the horse and check the reading.

現在以厘米作為單位測量馬的身高越來越常見，這也是在歐洲大陸、馬展或障礙賽選用的單位。了解一些用厘米表示的身高有助于你對以掌為單位時對應的高度有個大致概念。
It is becoming more common to see horses measured in centimetres, and this is the unit of choice on the continent and in showing or showjumping classes. It is helpful to learn some heights in centimetres so you have a rough idea what they are in hands.

換算表：掌換算為英寸和厘米

 

現在你知道它們誰是矮馬了嗎？

沒錯，我們都是矮馬！

如果各位愛馬的朋友有任何疑問或者想要了解的知識，歡迎在文末留言，我們將不定期選取評論，為您解答。

（文字來源：《全新馬術國際通用教程》初階 圖片提供：《全新馬術國際通用教程》初階、天星調良馬術、浙江天星調良馬術）

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