At One Place

Horse vs Plains zebra

Horse vs plains zebra
Horse is larger on weight
Horse is 1.7× plains zebra on weight.

A horse and a plains zebra can be compared on 5 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
Horse Plains zebra
Weight 380–1,000 kg 200–450 kg
Height 1.42–1.83 m 1.2–1.5 m
Length 2.1–2.8 m 2.1–2.6 m
Top speed 40–70.76 km/h 65 km/h
Typical lifespan 25–35 yr 12–25 yr

What the numbers say

  • Horse is 1.7× plains zebra on weight.
  • Horse is somewhat greater than plains zebra on height — about 1.1×.
  • Horse and plains zebra are near enough identical on length.
  • Plains zebra is somewhat greater than horse on top speed — about 1.2×.
  • Horse is somewhat greater than plains zebra on typical lifespan — about 1.4×.

Weight compared.

Horse 380–1,000 kg
Plains zebra 200–450 kg

Horse

A domesticated equid; light riding breeds and draught breeds differ by a factor of three in mass.

Plains zebra

The most common zebra; every individual's stripe pattern is unique.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, horse or plains zebra?
Horse is 1.7× plains zebra on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do horses and plains zebras compare on height?
Horse: 1.42–1.83 m. Plains zebra: 1.2–1.5 m. Horse is somewhat greater than plains zebra on height — about 1.1×.
How do horses and plains zebras compare on length?
Horse: 2.1–2.8 m. Plains zebra: 2.1–2.6 m. Horse and plains zebra are near enough identical on length.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
  2. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked