How is stride length commonly measured for horses?

Stride length for horses is typically measured as the distance from where one hoof leaves the ground to where the same hoof lands again after a complete stride. The most common measure of stride length in horses falls around 12 feet for many breeds, particularly when they are moving at a comfortable pace, such as a trot or canter. This measurement can vary depending on the horse's size and activity level, but in general, 12 feet serves as a standard benchmark for estimating stride length in performance or competitive contexts.

Smaller measurements such as 1 foot, 3 feet, and 4 feet are generally too short to accurately represent the full distance covered in a single stride from the horse, making them less representative of typical stride length for horses.