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如何估算一匹马的身高
How to estimate the height of a horse
马和矮马的身高传统上是用掌（hh）来测量的，而现在有时候（特别是在比赛中或马匹繁育协会，及在欧洲大陆）用厘米来测量。一掌等于4英寸或10厘米多一点。
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.
马或矮马的身高是从地面开始测量到鬐甲最高点的距离，测量结果以掌数和剩余的英寸表示，例如12.1掌（或完全用厘米表示）。测量非常小的矮马时，如舍特兰矮马，可以直接用英寸为单位。任何14.2掌及以下的马都被归类为矮马，高于这个高度的被归类为马。例外是马球马（无论大小，都使用该术语）和例如法拉贝拉马（Falabella）或里海马（Caspian）这样的品种——或比舍特兰矮马更小的迷你马，但作为一个品种，仍然用“马”来表示。
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’.
在大多数情况下，对马匹的身高是能以描述来说明大概的身高，但有时候则需要精确的测量结果（例如参加特定身高的马展）。如果你知道自己的身高是多少掌,将有助于你估计一匹马的身高。你可以站在马的身旁作为参照物进行比较。
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.
为了准确测量马的身高，需要使用到量尺。量尺是一根长尺，一边是掌的刻度,另一边是英寸或厘米的刻度。一根带有水平仪的短尺与这根长尺形成直角，平放在马的鬐甲上，以获得刻度尺上显示的高度。并不是所有马都乐于接受测量，有些马可能会紧张，不经意变高，而其他马可能做出“收缩”的反应。请等待马放松并自然站立，以获得准确的读数。
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.在一块平地上让马站正。
1.Stand the horse square on a flat piece of ground.
2.把水平仪拉到量尺的顶部，量尺立在马身旁，与鬐甲在一条直线上，确保它是水平的。
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.降低水平仪，直到它位于鬐甲的顶部。
3. Lower the spirit level until it sits on top of the withers.
4.向侧面滑动量尺，使它与马匹拉开距离，并查看读数。
4. Slide the stick sideways away from the horse and check the reading.
现在以厘米作为单位测量马的身高越来越常见，这也是在欧洲大陆、马展或障碍赛选用的单位。了解一些用厘米表示的身高有助于你对以掌为单位时对应的高度有个大致概念。
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.
换算表：掌换算为英寸和厘米
现在你知道它们谁是矮马了吗？
没错，我们都是矮马！
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（文字来源：《全新马术国际通用教程》初阶 图片提供：《全新马术国际通用教程》初阶、天星调良马术、浙江天星调良马术）
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