.3hh = 3" or less than 1/2 hand?

OK, if 1 hand equals 4" then my OTStd who is supposedly 17.3hh is either 5' 11" or 5' 9" depending on the value of the .3 part. Funny though, I don't get that when I measure him by inches.

So, first question is .3 equal to 3 inches or 3/10 of a hand? I say 3/10 of a hand, but someone else told me 3 inches.

Second question -- why is it when I measure both my horses with a hand measuring tape/ruler I get more than I do with an inch tape?

The .3 would be 3 inches.
If a horse is 17.3 calculate - 17 x 4 that's 68 inches or 5' 6" plus 3" so 5' 9" or 71"
I'm not sure why the value is different on your horse tape versus your regular tape measure. I got my horse tape out and compared it to my regular tape and the value is the same. 1 hand is 4 inches.
If your tape measure reads 71" do it in reverse. 71 divided by 4 is 17.75... .75 X 4 = 3 so 17.3hh

You may be mistakenly calculating the .3 as 3/10 of an inch. Which its not. Does that make sense ? Its just the way hands are written. Its 17.3hh not a regular 17.3 where the value of 3 is 3/10 of an inch. Geesh now I'm confussing myself I better stop.

Well, that's actually understandable. The .3 is supposed to be 3". OK, well then how the heck is my horse 17.3hh? Hmm... doesn't make sense. I'm 5'9"; add 1.5" for my riding heels that would make me 17.3 almost. But my horse's withers are lower than the top of my head. I guess he was measured wrong. I think I'm going to go buy my own tape and try again for both horses.

I want one of those solid measuring sticks with the lever thingy that comes down to the withers. I just haven't been able to justify the $20-30 yet

Make one ;)

Yes, I was going to mention in your other thread that she looks closer to 17 hands than 18. I think he probably mismeasured. If your horse isn't set up on level ground, you can get some wildly different results. Also, I think its a little harder with a tape, the stick works much better. I do think she's a nice match for your height :)

I'm glad I'm not loosing my mind over this measurement thing!

And thanks;I do find she is a much nicer height to work with than the little girl I have, but, man, I have to teach her to keep her head down to my level!

I understand how you could get confused.

I always write 17 3hh, with out the decimal.

The decimal seems like you are saying the hosre is 17 and .3 of a hand. Not 17 hands and 3"

Just my opinion though!