How to Measure for Dress Sheets

Measurement A: The first measurement is the long measurement along the side of the horse. (See sketch)
  1. Start at the center of the chest where the top buckle of a sheet would be.
  2. Lay the tape around the point of the shoulder, aiming for the point of the hip and the point of the rump.
  3. This is a slight upward direction.
  4. Wrap the tape the rump toward the tail. Stop where the hair of the tail lies against the butt.
  5. For a horse, this measurement should be 74" to 84". Small ponies are usually under 64". Medium ponies large usually 64" to 68". Large ponies are usually 68" to 74".
Measurements B, C, and D: The next 3 measurements all start at the same place. These should start in front of the wither.
Measurement B:

From the dip in front of the wither lay the tape along the spine to the top of the tail. This number will be roughly 20" less than measurement A.

Measurement C:

From the same dip in front of the wither lay the tape along the neck in front of the shoulder muscle to where the top buckle of a sheet will lay. This one measurement is vital for proper fit. If you continued this measurement around the other side the tape would form a V. PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO THIS. This number seldom exceeds 32" for a horse; it is usually 25" to 30". It should be even smaller for ponies. The most common measurement error is making this number too big.

Measurement D:

From the same point in front of the wither let the tape drop toward the ground. Look for the spot below the elbow that if continued to the back would cover the belly. (Usually 2"-3" below the elbow.)

Measurement E: This measurement is the most subjective, but also the easiest for us to correct if necessary.
Measurement E:

The last measurement is the backdrop. Start the tape at the spine at the highest point of the rump. Let the tape drop toward the ground and try to match the line you picked in the front.

    Averages for these measurements are as follows (horses only):
  1. Measurement A on a horse should be in the mid 70's to low 80's
  2. Measurement B (Top of the back) should be in the 50's
  3. Measurement C (1/2 of the neck) should be mid 20's to low 30's
  4. Measurement D (The front drop) should be in the 30's
  5. Measurement E (The drop in the back) should be 2" - 3" more than the front.
Equicouture measurement sketch