Since the original ’measuring’ topic got so long, and another topic was been started with a different ‘proposal’ using the ‘base of the withers’, I thought I’d go ahead put out another ‘tweaked’ version for comment.
This is basically a reworking of the idea that Belinda originally proposed. The difference is that I have added the ‘way’ to measure at the highest point of the withers (which I think is the ‘correct’ term for the ‘top’ of the withers). I copied the method/wording from the US Equestrian Federation and added it into the proposal. (Adding this extra part might affect which Part or Page in the Rule Book it is located, so it would need to be labeled appropriately.)
How would people feel if the proposal was worded like this?
VI Part 7 (?)
Position of Animal
The animal must stand squarely on all four feet in such a position that the front legs are vertical to the ground and the back of the hocks are in a vertical line with the point of the animal’s quarters. The head must be held low enough to reveal the highest point of the withers and no lower. The animal must be free of all appliances. Handlers must not interfere with the animal in any way that will prevent it from standing in this position; blinkers may be allowed.
Method of Measurement
With the animal in the aforementioned position, measure the vertical distance from the highest point of the withers to the ground. The cross-piece, arm or bar of the measuring device must be placed over the highest point of the withers and no measurement taken at any other part of the animal’s body will count. Additional pressure must not be applied to the cross-piece, arm or bar.
Application of Measurement
All horses, regardless of when foaled or registered, will be measured in the above described manner for all purposes and must not exceed 38”. EXECPTION: Those horses born prior to 1 January 2016 will still be eligible for registration and to be shown if they do not exceed 38” when measured at the last hair of the mane. (These horses are considered to be ‘Grandfathered’ so will retain all the rights of a registered animal and when shown will compete in the tallest division of the class offered.)
This is basically a reworking of the idea that Belinda originally proposed. The difference is that I have added the ‘way’ to measure at the highest point of the withers (which I think is the ‘correct’ term for the ‘top’ of the withers). I copied the method/wording from the US Equestrian Federation and added it into the proposal. (Adding this extra part might affect which Part or Page in the Rule Book it is located, so it would need to be labeled appropriately.)
How would people feel if the proposal was worded like this?
VI Part 7 (?)
Position of Animal
The animal must stand squarely on all four feet in such a position that the front legs are vertical to the ground and the back of the hocks are in a vertical line with the point of the animal’s quarters. The head must be held low enough to reveal the highest point of the withers and no lower. The animal must be free of all appliances. Handlers must not interfere with the animal in any way that will prevent it from standing in this position; blinkers may be allowed.
Method of Measurement
With the animal in the aforementioned position, measure the vertical distance from the highest point of the withers to the ground. The cross-piece, arm or bar of the measuring device must be placed over the highest point of the withers and no measurement taken at any other part of the animal’s body will count. Additional pressure must not be applied to the cross-piece, arm or bar.
Application of Measurement
All horses, regardless of when foaled or registered, will be measured in the above described manner for all purposes and must not exceed 38”. EXECPTION: Those horses born prior to 1 January 2016 will still be eligible for registration and to be shown if they do not exceed 38” when measured at the last hair of the mane. (These horses are considered to be ‘Grandfathered’ so will retain all the rights of a registered animal and when shown will compete in the tallest division of the class offered.)