We measure in hands because it's a historical unit of measure based on the width of a human hand.
The History of Hand Measurements
The use of hands as a measurement dates back to ancient times. Different cultures, including the Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans, all used varying lengths based on the hand to measure.
Standardizing the Hand
- King Henry VIII of England: In order to standardize this measure, a statute by King Henry VIII fixed one hand at four inches. This made the hand a more reliable measure, and is still the standard measurement used today for the height of horses.
Why Hands Are Useful
While there are more accurate forms of measurement, using hands has some advantages:
- Accessibility: The hand is always available for a quick measurement.
- Historical Significance: It is part of a long tradition in measurements.
- Specific Use Cases: The hand is used exclusively for horse height, it is a consistent measure within that area.
Understanding the Hand Today
Although the exact size of a hand varies from person to person, the standardized measure of four inches remains the accepted value for a hand. Below is a table summarizing the key info:
| Measurement | Standard Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hand | 4 inches | A standard measure established by King Henry VIII for the height of horses. |
Practical Use
Here are a few insights into how the hand measurement is utilized:
- Horse Height: Hands are primarily used to measure the height of horses. One hand equals 4 inches. So a horse that is 16 hands high is 64 inches tall (16 * 4 inches).
- Ease of Use: Because the measure is specific to horse height, its ease of use is well suited to this use case.
