A "hand" is a unit of measurement commonly used in the context of measuring the height of horses. In the United States and some other English-speaking countries, a hand is defined as exactly 4 inches or 10.16 centimeters.
Horses are typically measured in hands from the ground to the highest point of their withers (the ridge between the shoulder blades). This measurement is a convenient way to describe a horse's height without relying on feet and inches or meters.
For example, a horse that measures 15.2 hands is 15 hands and 2 inches tall. Horses can vary in height, and the hand system provides a standardized way to communicate a horse's size, which is particularly important in horse racing, equestrian sports, and the horse industry in general.
An "ell" is an antiquated unit of length that has been historically used in various countries, including England, Scotland, and Germany. The length of an ell could vary depending on the region and the specific purpose, but it was typically used to measure cloth or textiles. The term "ell" is derived from the Latin word "ulna," which means "forearm," as the length of an ell was often based on the length of a person's forearm.
Different regions had their own variations of the ell, but some common measurements include:
English Ell: In England, the English ell was approximately 45 inches or 1.143 meters.
Scottish Ell: In Scotland, the Scottish ell was longer, measuring around 37 inches or 0.94 meters.
French Ell: In France, the French ell, also known as the aune, was used and had its own variations, but it was typically around 1.188 meters.
Flemish Ell: In parts of Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands, the Flemish ell was used, which was approximately 27 inches or 0.686 meters.