How to Calculate Horse Weight

How to calculate horse weight

Do you know what your horse weighs? Knowing your horse's weight can be valuable when calculating their nutritional needs as well as how much de-wormer and medication to give. Here we teach you how to calculate your horse's weight.

Weighing your horse using weighing scales is the safest way to get an accurate result. If you and your horse visit an equine clinic with scales, it is therefore a good idea to take the opportunity to weigh the horse during the visit. There are also mobile scales that can check the weight of your horse, and many feed companies and nutritionists will offer to bring one out when they come to discuss your horse’s nutrition. Speak to your horse’s nutritionist or the brand of feed you give to your horse to find out more.

How to estimate horse weight

If you don't have access to a set of scales, there are two formulas you can use to calculate your horse's weight. The formulas are not as accurate as the scales but are a good alternative to find out your horse's weight as they take into account several measurements and give a good weight estimate regardless of the horse's conformation, conformation and breed.

There are also measuring ‘weight tapes’ which you can purchase easily on line, but bear in mind that, while they are useful for gauging changes in weight, they only take into account one measurement and therefore aren’t as accurate. You can use them weekly or fortnightly to keep an eye on any changes in your horse’s condition.

1. To calculate your horse's weight, start by placing the horse on a flat surface.
2. Make sure the horse stands with its weight evenly distributed on all four legs.
3. Take the measurements according to the formula you want to use, preferably taking the same measurements three times and averaging them. As the measurement may change slightly if the horse moves or shifts its weight, you will get a more reliable result if you measure more than once.
4. Insert the measurements into the formula and calculate the horse's weight.

Horse Weight Formula 1

Weight = (4.3 x loin circumference in cm) + (3.0 x withers height in cm) - 785

Loin circumference is measured from the pit in front of the withers and around the torso. The height at the withers is measured perpendicular to the ground to the highest point of the withers.

Horse Weight Formula 2

Weight = chest girth in cm x chest girth in cm x body length in cm. The sum is then divided by 8900 to get the calculated weight.

Chest circumference is the measurement behind the withers and elbow around the torso. The length is measured from the elbow to the ischial tuberosity (point of buttock). 

How much does a horse weigh?

Guidelines for body weight of different horse breeds:

Breed Weight in kg

Shetland 100-200kg

Icelandic horse 280-400 kg

Arabian thoroughbred 350-450 kg

English thoroughbred 400-600 kg

Warm-blooded riding horse 450-700 kg