© 2022 Copyright Statement dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing User Terms, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet.
You need to be logged in to fill out this form
Register Below...
What’s the Best Way to Estimate a Horse’s Weight?
Q. I’m trying to estimate my horse’s weight to determine how much hay, grain, and other products I should be feeding. I bought a weight tape at the feed store and it says that he weighs 1,050 pounds. However, he looks heavier than that to me—he’s a heavily built Quarter Horse. My friend let me borrow a different weight tape, and that one and it says he is 1,125 pounds. That seems closer although I still think he weighs more. How am I supposed to accurately determine his weight if the tapes say different things?
A. Weight tapes are a very useful tool for estimating a horse’s weight; however, as you have found, they do differ and aren’t always accurate. Different tape manufacturers use slightly different algorithms to convert the distance around the horse’s heart girth into a body weight estimate. I own several different tapes and each one gives a different weight when used on the same horse.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to get the most accurate estimate. Have the horse stand squarely on level ground and be certain to place the tape correctly on the horse. Unless the tape gives other directions, place it around the horse’s entire barrel about an inch below the highest point of the withers and tightly behind both elbows. The tape should be in a vertical line when the horse is viewed from the side. Check to make sure that the tape is not twisted on the opposite side of the
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Written by:
Clair Thunes, PhD
Related Articles
Hoof-Care Triage
Understanding Potomac Horse Fever
The Equine Gut Microbiome and Horse Behavior
Treating Equine Joints With Medical-Grade Honey Post-Surgery
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
FREE weekly newsletters from TheHorse.com
Sponsored Content
Vetscan Imagyst™: Positive Results in a Mixed Veterinary Practice
Equine Care for Life: Helping Horse Owners Navigate Veterinary Costs
Vetscan Imagyst™ Allows Vets 24/7 Access to Clinical Pathologist for Cytology Results Within 2 Hours
Weekly Poll
Readers’ Most Popular
WNV Confirmed in 4 Idaho Counties
Kentucky Horse Positive for WNV
The Effects of Longeing on Your Horse’s Joints
Myths About Equine Colic Surgery
Top Categories