A "span" is a traditional unit of length used for measuring cloth or fabric. It was historically used in various countries, including England, and is based on the width of the human hand or the spread of the fingers. The actual length of a span could vary depending on the region and historical context.
In England, a span was typically equal to 9 inches or approximately 22.86 centimeters. However, it's important to note that the definition of a span could vary from place to place and over time.
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.