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How to Weigh Your Horse

As a horse owner/care giver it’s important to understand how to accurately weigh your horse. Not only  will this help you to keep an eye on his overall body weight but also for practical purposes such as calculating his diet, giving de-wormer or medications.

The most accurate method of weighing your horse is on an equine specific weighbridge, However, this type of equipment is not often available, which is why using a weigh tape or a weight formula are the most practical solutions.

How to use a Weigh tape

Weight tapes are generally widely available at your feed store and they are valuable tools for objectively calculating and monitoring your horse’s weight.  Look out for weigh tapes that have separate Pony (14.2 and under) and Horse (14.2 and over) measurements as these are the most accurate.

The tape should be placed over the lowest point of the withers passing around the horse as close to the elbow as possible. The tape should be pulled firmly around the horse but not so that it dents the flesh. The tape will be on a slight diagonal angle when in the correct position. Do not place the tape as you would a girth, ensure the tape passes as close to the elbow as possible. To help make the reading as accurate as possible have your horse stood square on a flat surface. If your horse is initially tense wait until he relaxes before taking the measurement. It is helpful to initially have someone with you to reassure the horse and ensure that the tape is in the correct position on both sides of the horse and that it is not twisted.

Picture 1 shows the correct placement of  weigh tape  (picture courtesy of Effem Equine via www.bhs.org.uk)

How to use a weight formula

If you don’t have access to a weigh tape then when done correctly a weight formula can be used. Once again make sure that your horse is standing square and is relaxed. Using an ordinary measuring tape measure around the girth in the same method as with the weigh tape (see picture 1). Record the reading in cms. Next measure from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock (see picture 2). You will need a helper to do this accurately.

Picture 2 (courtesy of www.thehorse.com)

The tape can either follow the contours of the horses body or simply be held taut and in place from one point to the next. Ensure that whichever method you choose you are consistent each time you measure. Record this measurement (in cm). Insert the readings into the formula below:

 

Weight (kg) = (Girth)² x Length    

11,877

 

Both of these methods  will only give you a guide to the weight of your horse. However, if used in a consistent manner they can provide an accurate method of monitoring any changes. When using these methods try to ensure that you estimate the weight around the same time of day and in similar circumstances in respect to feed/exercise. This will help to provide a more reliable and consistent estimation.

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