How to weigh your horse – and why it's important
Why is it important to know what the horse weighs?
It may seem trivial to weigh your horse – but it is one of the most important things you can do to ensure proper feeding and monitor your horse's health.
👉 If you don't know your weight, you risk:
- Give too little feed → the horse lacks energy, protein, vitamins and minerals
- Give too much feed → the horse gains weight, gets too much sugar/starch or becomes too heavy for its work
- Overlook small changes → the horse may have lost or gained 20–30 kg without you noticing it with your eyes
When you know the weight, you can dose feed accurately and detect changes in time.
Methods for weighing the horse
-
Weight measuring tape (e.g. from Land & Fritid)
- Measures the horse's circumference behind the withers at the girth.
- Provides a quick overview – especially good for tracking changes over time
-
Horse trailer or animal scale
- The most accurate method if you have access to a scale
Also remember to assess the condition
Weight alone doesn't tell the whole picture.
👉 Use Body Condition Score (BCS) to assess fat deposits and the horse's general condition.
- Scale from 1–9 (US) or 0–5 (Australia)
- Describes and shows images of the neck, back, ribs, tailhead, etc.
- Free download at Kentucky Equine Research (KER) : Body Condition Score Chart
How often should you measure?
- At least once a month
- Preferably once a week if the horse is on a diet, in rehabilitation or changing feed
👉 In short: Weighing your horse and monitoring its condition is a simple routine that can save you from big problems – from improper feeding to weight-related diseases.
Do you want to help your horse lose weight?
Straw as horse feed – is it even a good idea?
Do you want to help your horse gain weight?
- Help your horse gain weight – without compromising health
- Weight gain in horses – nutritional strategies and inflammatory risk
If you need personal telephone support, you can book a consultation here.
