The most accurate way to determine a horse’s weight is by weighing him on a scale. However, you can estimate a horse’s weight (to calculate proper amounts of feed, dewormer, etc.) by using body measurements. Weight tapes use a horse’s heart girth measurement alone, but using body length plus heart girth¹ tends to be more accurate.

• Your horse’s body type (i.e., very heavy or thin barrel) might affect the accuracy of this estimate.
• This calculator might not provide accurate estimations of weight for very tall horses and should not be used to estimate weights in miniature horses.
• Calculations specific for estimating the weight of growing horses are more complicated, and a scale is recommended to monitor growth rates in these horses. Weight determination in growing horses is more important for ensuring smooth, consistent growth patterns than for ideal “body weight” with respect to fat coverage. Rapidly growing foals can be prone to developmental problems and orthopedic diseases such as epiphysitis or osteochondritis dissecans.

References: ¹ Ellis JM, Hollands T. Accuracy of different methods of estimating the weight of horses. The Veterinary Record (1998) 143, 335-336.

SIGN IN TO VIEW THIS CONTENT

LOGIN

Don’t have an account? Sign up here.