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  • Your Horse's Weight

Calculating your horse's weight

Horses come in all shapes and sizes and, while it is possible to estimate a weight based on height and type, this is really more of a guideline for the 'ideal' rather than a scientific figure based on an individual horse. Having a realistic idea of your horse's weight is essential in making sure your vehicle is capable of safely and legally carrying them and everything else you have on board. 
 

There are various methods of calculating your horse’s weight, as illustrated below:

Weigh Bridge

The most accurate way of measuring your horse’s weight is, without doubt, to use scales. As equestrian scales are very expensive pieces of equipment they are few and far between - although if you’re lucky a large, local establishment may have a set that you can hire. An alternative is to use a public weigh bridge. These are more often than not calibrated for measuring very large weights, such as goods vehicles, so the best method may be to drive your trailer, with horse on board, onto the weight plate and take a reading, then remove the horse and repeat the exercise. Calculating the difference will give you a good idea of your horse’s actual bodyweight.

Weigh Tape

Offering around 90% accuracy, weigh tapes are a convenient way of gauging your horse’s weight. Most tapes are double sided, one side calibrated to provide figures for ponies under 14.2hh, the other for horses above 14.2hh. To use a weight tape:

1. Stand your horse on a firm, level surface and encourage him to stand square; he should be relaxed with his head in his ‘normal standing’ position.
    
2. Drop the tape over the lowest part of his whithers, making sure that you have the relevant horse / pony side facing you for easy reading.
    
3. Draw the tape around your horse so it sits close to his front legs, following a slight angle from the top of the tape on the whither (if the tape drops vertically down, it is too far back). Ensure the tape is firmly around the horse - but not so tight that it causes an indent into the flesh - as this will make the reading inaccurate.
    
4. Some tapes will allow you to read a figure off directly that represents the estimated weight of the horse,  whereas others may require you to take additional measurements and use in a formula – in this case, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Girth - Height formula

This can offer a more accurate result than using a weigh tape as it takes into account additional variables – all you need is a measuring tape, a flat surface, an extra pair of hands to assist – and perhaps a calculator!

1. Using the measuring tape, take the girth measurement as described in the ‘weigh tape’ method above and note the reading in cm.
    
2. Next, measure from the point of the horse’s shoulder to the point of the buttock, ensuring that the tape follows the contours of the body (this is where the spare pair of hands is useful!). Once again, make a note of the measurement in cm.
    
3. Using the measurements you have taken, the following formula can be used to calculate the horse’s weight:
   
   Weight (kg) = (Girth)2 x Length
                                 11,877

Guideline weights by height & type

NOTE: This table represents guideline for the ideal ‘average’ weight based on a horse’s height and weight. It is essential you work out your own animal’s weights based on the above methods as this table does not account for differences in condition or build between individual animals (adapted from Saracen Horse Feeds ’ height to weight guide).