See King Buck, One of The World’s Tallest Horses

Continue reading...

Images of horses adorn some of man’s earliest art. One of the oldest depictions of horses is in the Cave of Pont d’Arc in southern France, painted over 30,000 years ago. Horses have often been revered for their grace and strength. At 19.3 hands tall and weighing over 3,000 pounds, King Buck is no exception.

This beautiful horse certainly looks massive, but for many of us, “hands” is not a familiar unit of measure. So, what does “hands” mean and why do we measure horses this way? Is King Buck really that large? Keep reading to learn more about equine evaluations and find out how the average horse compares to the tallest horse in the world.

Why Do We Measure Horses in Hands?

Horses are measured from the ground to the withers, which is the top of the spine between the horse’s shoulder blades. The most common unit of measurement for equines is “hands,” which is abbreviated as “hh” for “hands high.” One hand equals four inches. Experts believe the unit was based on the Egyptian cubit, typically measured from the end of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Accordingly, a “hand” was about the width of a man’s hand.

Historians indicate in the 16th century, King Henry VIII of England standardized the measurement. Experts suggest the measurement coincided with the width of Henry’s own hand, which was four inches. This unit of measurement is still used in the U.K., but other countries such as the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa also adopted it.

The Average Horse

Although they are often confused with young horses, ponies are just small breeds of horses. Many professional organizations define a pony as a mature horse that is less than 14.2 hands, or four feet nine inches. An animal is considered a horse when it measures over 14.2 hands at maturity. Ponies mature faster than horses, reaching maturity around 6-7 years old versus 7-8 years old for horses.

Pony breeds like Shetlands are used for pursuits like riding and performing. They usually weigh between 300-900 pounds. Light horse breeds such as Arabians are used for the same purposes as ponies. They average around 15-16 hands and weigh between 900-1,500 pounds. Heavy breeds, or draft horses such as Clydesdales have historically been used for agriculture and hauling freight. Draft horses average 15-18 hands and weigh up to 2,700 pounds.

Meet King Buck

Comparing the average horse to King Buck emphasizes just how large King Buck is. A sign on his enclosure indicates he is 19.3 hands, which is roughly 6 1/2 feet at the shoulder. The average horse is just over five feet. He also weighs a staggering 3,126 pounds, which is heavier than a small car. So it’s no surprise that Hershy’s King Buck, also known as Big King, is believed to be one of the tallest horses in the world.

King Buck is a Belgian, the heaviest of draft horse breeds and also one of the tallest. However, Shire horses are considered to be the tallest breed overall. King Buck was born in September of 2012 and spends his days at Hershberger’s Farm and Bakery in Millersville, Ohio. He is a working horse, but typically his work consists of posing for photos at the petting zoo and being pampered by both staff and visitors.

How Long Do Horses Live?

Belgian horses like King Buck usually live between 17-22 years, but the average for most draft horses is 15-20 years. However, experts note that smaller breeds can live up to 30 years. It’s important to note many things impact a horse’s lifespan, such as the horse’s size, diet, exercise, and the quality of care they receive.

Like many species, larger horse breeds tend to have a shorter lifespan. Their larger size not only puts more strain on their joints, muscles, and bones but also puts more stress on their internal organs. It has also been suggested that large animals’ higher metabolic rates accelerate aging. At the time of this update, King Buck is 12 years old. So hopefully, he still has many good years ahead of him.