How to weigh your Horse

Understanding your horse’s weight and consistently monitoring it are integral aspects of horse management. Knowing your horse’s weight enables you to develop precise nutrition plans, administer medications accurately, and assess training and performance effectively.

Several methods exist for determining your horse’s weight, each varying in accuracy and accessibility. While some methods may be more accurate but less accessible, others offer convenience but with a potential trade-off in precision. In This article we will go through the different methods available and their pros and cons to help get a better understanding of the best method available to you.

A weight bridge provides the most accurate assessment of bodyweight out of all the methods, essentially a large weighing scale, the horse is led onto it, and its body weight is accurately recorded. Even though this is the most accurate way of getting and horses bodyweight it is also the most expensive and not one most horse owner will have access to. Some companies offer a service where someone can come out with a weighbridge, but this can be expensive, especially if you need to weigh your horse regularly.

For most horse owners, alternative methods may be more practical. However, these methods may be less accurate and require practice to minimise inaccuracies.

Weight tapes are readily available commercially and offer a convenient means to estimate a horse’s weight. Designed to measure the horse’s girth circumference, they employ a formula to estimate weight based on this measurement. However, while weight tapes are convenient, they may not be as accurate as other methods, especially for horses with unique body shapes or conformation. Research has shown inaccuracies up to 60kg off the horse’s actual weight when using just the weight tape alone however they do offer a coinvent quick way to get an estimate of your horse’s weight without needing assistance from other people. To obtain the closest estimation to your horse’s actual weight using a weight tape, start by ensuring your horse is standing squarely on a flat surface.

Position the weight tape around the horse’s girth area, just behind the front legs and over the highest point of the withers. This area is known as the horse’s heart girth area. Simply read the figure shown on the weight tape, and this should provide an estimate of your horse’s weight. It’s important to note that using the same brand of weight tape consistently is crucial, as weight tapes are not standardised, and different tapes may yield different readings. Conformational differences between horses may also have an effect when estimating weights using solely this method, for example thoroughbreds may give very different estimates of body weights in comparison to cobs for example and this must be taken into consideration. To address these inaccuracies, one approach is to obtain at least one official weighing on a scale and compare this measurement to what you get when using a weight tape. This comparison helps gauge the difference between your horse’s actual weight and the estimate provided by the weight tape, facilitating easier estimation of your horse’s weight for future weigh-ins using the tape.

Another method to estimate the horse’s body weight involves using a formula that considers the measurements of the heart girth and body length, all measured in centimetres. The formula typically looks like this

Adult Horse: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 330 = Bodyweight in pounds

Yearling: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 301 = Bodyweight in pounds

Weanling: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 280 = Bodyweight in pounds

To measure the length of the horse accurately, start by ensuring the horse is standing square. Typically, you’ll need another person to hold the measuring tape steady. Take the first measurement from the point of the shoulder to the point of the ischial tuberosity or the point of the buttock on one side. Once you have these two measurements, you can use them in the formula described above. This method is more complex and may take some time to identify the correct points to measure from. Additionally, it requires another person to perform correctly. However, it has been shown to be more accurate than just using a weight tape, as it takes into consideration the horse’s other proportions. Most commercial weight tapes also have a side that measures in centimetres, meaning this method can be used in conjunction with simply getting an estimate from the weight tape alone.

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a subjective method used to assess the overall body condition or fatness of a horse. It involves visually and manually evaluating various parts of the horse’s body to assign a numerical score that reflects its body condition. While body condition scoring doesn’t provide a direct estimate of your horse’s current weight, it’s crucial for evaluating overall health and comparing your horse’s current weight to its desired weight. This scoring system helps horse owners and caretakers monitor changes in weight and adjust feeding and management practices accordingly.

There are two commonly used body scoring systems, both utilizing a numerical scale. One ranges from 1 to 5, and the other from 1 to 10, yet both function similarly. Lower numbers indicate underweight horses, while higher numbers suggest higher levels of fat. Ideally, horses should fall somewhere in the middle, typically around 5 or 3, depending on the system that we are using. When assessing the body condition of the horse it is not just visual but may also require manually palpating areas of the horse to assess how much fat is in that area. The key areas that we tend to assess are:

Ribs

The visibility and palpability of the ribs are evaluated. Ribs should be easily felt but not prominently visible.

Withers and Neck

The presence of fat deposits along the withers and crest of the neck is assessed. A moderate layer of fat should be present, without excessive bulging.

Back and Loin

The amount of fat cover over the back and loin areas is evaluated. The spine should not be prominently visible, and there should be a moderate covering of fat.

Tailhead

Fat deposits around the tailhead are assessed. The tailhead should feel slightly rounded with a moderate layer of fat covering.

Shoulders and Hips

The presence of fat cover over the shoulders and hips is evaluated. A moderate layer of fat should be present, without excessive prominence of bone.

Overall Muscling

The overall muscle development and tone of the horse are considered. A horse in good body condition should have well-developed muscling without excessive fat deposition.

Body scoring may require some time to master, but as a horse owner, it’s a valuable skill to develop. Being proficient in body scoring allows you to make informed adjustments to your horse’s diet and management practices based on changes in body condition. This skill complements the methods discussed earlier for assessing body weight, providing a comprehensive approach to monitoring and managing your horse’s health and well-being.