By comparison , 10 hands is the size of a modern Shetland pony while 12 is still a pony .
Jump up ^ The eleventh - century warhorse was usually smaller , usually no taller than 12 hands ; 14 to 15 hands at the largest .
10 hands is the size of a modern Shetland pony while 12 is still a pony .
Jump up ^ The eleventh - century warhorse was usually smaller , usually no taller than 12 hands ; 14 to 15 hands at the largest .