Last Updated on September 1, 2020
Horses come in many shapes and sizes and with that their weight can vary widely. the quick answer to how much a horse weighs, is that the average weight of a horse is 1000 lb. but as there are Miniature Horses all the way up to the gigantic draft horse breeds this average weight is not very accurate.
If you must have an accurate measurement of how much your horse weighs, there are a few ways to get that number. well not an option for everyone, if you live near a major university with a veterinarian program they may have a scale that they allow people to use for their horse. another potential option is if you have a veterinarian in your area who has a large breed animal scale. this is not something available to all horse owners, there is another way for you to get a more accurate weight of your horse. This is done with a heart girth weight tape. these can be found online or at most tack stores. And they aren’t expensive either.
these measuring tapes do a pretty decent job estimating the weight of your horse. this tape is wrapped tightly around the barrel of your horse and goes around the area located where the heart is. well this is not 100% accurate, a heart girth tape should give you the weight of your horse within plus or minus 100 lb. OneNote, heart girth tapes are not at all accurate for pregnant Mares. Foles also cannot be accurately weighed using a heart girth tape.
For more equine health and nutrition guides and tips read these articles
- Healthy Weight Gain Supplements for Horses
- Top Rated Slow Feeders for Horse
- Great Equine Hoof Supplement Options
- Joint Supplement for Horses that improve performance and movement
- Most Nutritious Horse Feed
- Healing Essential Oils for Horses
if you need to weigh a draft horse and you would like to use a heart girth tape you will have to find one specifically designed for draft horses as a standard tape is not large enough for a draft horse.
Fred is the editor of Equine Ridge. He grew up raising horses and has been riding, training, and competing for almost four decades. Fred started out performing on the AQHA and PHBA circuits. Fred trained other competitors in English and Western riding disciplines and today offers free riding lessons to youth who would otherwise not be able to afford lessons. When not working with horses he can be found backpacking or trying to brew the perfect cup of coffee. Email Fred at fred@equineridge.com