Adult Horse Weight Calculator

The most accurate way to determine a horse's weight is by weighing him on a scale. However, you can estimate a horse's weight (to calculate proper amounts of feed, dewormer, etc.) by using body measurements. Weight tapes use a horse's heart girth measurement alone, but using body length plus heart girth¹ tends to be more accurate.

Please Note: The Adult Horse Weight Calculator is intended for use only as a weight estimation tool. It does not consider physical differences between individual horses. If an accurate weight for your horse is necessary for any purpose, scales must be used. TheHorse.com is not responsible for problems or injuries arising from the use/misuse of this tool or for any inaccuracy in the weight estimate of an individual horse.

Step 1: Learn how to measure your horse

Dr. Roberta Dwyer demonstrates how to measure your horse for the purposes of this weight estimation tool.

Step 2: Measure Heart Girth
Measurement of heart girth

Measure around the midsection, immediately behind the elbow and withers. Enter your measurement below.

Not sure how to measure? Watch our video how-to.

Step 3: Measure Body Length
Measurement of body length

Measure from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock (tuber ischii). Enter your measurement below.

Not sure how to measure? Watch our video how-to.

Step 4: Calculate Estimated Weight

Estimated Weight:

Note:

  • Your horse's body type (i.e., very heavy or thin barrel) might affect the accuracy of this estimate.
  • This calculator might not provide accurate estimations of weight for very tall horses and should not be used to estimate weights in miniature horses.
  • Calculations specific for estimating the weight of growing horses are more complicated, and a scale is recommended to monitor growth rates in these horses. Weight determination in growing horses is more important for ensuring smooth, consistent growth patterns than for ideal "body weight" with respect to fat coverage. Rapidly growing foals can be prone to developmental problems and orthopedic diseases such as epiphysitis or osteochondritis dissecans.

Reference:

  • ¹ Ellis JM, Hollands T. Accuracy of different methods of estimating the weight of horses. The Veterinary Record (1998) 143, 335-336.