Horse Weight How To

How to Weigh a Horse

There are many benefits in knowing and monitoring the weight of your horse. Just to name a few, the horse's weight will determine maximum limits for safe trailer hauling, feed rations, and necessary dosage amounts for administering medicine (including worming applications). In addition, regular checking will allow you to screen for continuous gains or rapid drops in weight which could indicate serious health issues. Although calibrated livestock scales are the most accurate way to measure the weight of a horse, their size and cost makes them a unrealistic option for the average horse owner. However, with some simple devices there are relatively straightforward methods in which anyone can perform the task attaining an estimated weight. Weight figures calculated periodically can assist in various ways in making decisions.

Method #1

Height / Weight Tape Measure:

This is probably the most common technique used today to estimate a horse’s weight. These tape measures have been available on the market for a number of years and most find them reasonably close to an accurate weight.

• The horse should stand square on level ground with head upright
• Drop the weight tape over the horses back from the base of its withers draping one end of the tape over each side of the horse
• Adjust the tape end (opposite your standing side) making its length hang beyond the horse’s belly
• Bring the tape underneath the horse just behind its elbow and foreleg (horse’s circumference)
• Join the two ends of the tape together and pull it tight enough to depress the flesh slightly
• Take the reading where the tip of the tape meets the figures (horse’s girth or “heart girth” measurement)   

Note: The tape is too far back if when the tape ends meet it forms a vertical line. This will produce an inaccurate reading. Aim for a slightly back slash angled line ( / ) (Figure 1). It is hard to make an equine measure up the same every time. Take a few measurements and average the readings

Figure 1

Notice the tape measure runs at an angle

 Method #2

Standard Cloth Tape Measure in Inches and a Formula:

Using this method requires a few steps and a formula applied to the values collected

Step #1

• The horse should stand square on level ground with head upright
• Drop the weight tape over the horses back from the base of its withers draping one end of the tape over each side of the horse
• Adjust the tape end (opposite your standing side) making its length hang beyond the horse’s belly
• Bring the tape underneath the horse just behind its elbow and foreleg (horse’s circumference)
• Join the two ends of the tape together and pull it tight enough to depress the flesh slightly. Take the reading where the tip of the tape meets the figures (horse’s girth or “heart girth” measurement) (Figure 2, distance C)

Note: The tape is too far back if when the tape ends meet it forms a vertical line. This will produce an inaccurate reading. Aim for a slightly back slash angled line ( / ) (Figure 2, line C). It is hard to make an equine measure up the same every time. Take a few measurements and average the readings

Step #2

• Measure the length of the horse by placing the tape at the point of the shoulder and run it along his body to the point of the croup (hip) (Figure 2, distance A to B)
• The tape should either follow the contours of the horse's body for this measurement or simply be held taut and in place from one point to the next. Notice the tape measure does not run straight from end to end, but in an upward angle (Figure 2, distance A to B)

Step #3

• Using the values obtained in steps 1 and 2, calculate the weight by applying the following formula:

Heart girth x Heart girth x length
divide this number by 300
then add 50

This method will give results of plus or minus 3%

Figure 2

Notice the angles in the placement of the measuring tape

Example:
If the Heart Girth is 72” and the Length is 66” the following example shows the process of calculating a result.

72” x 72” x 66” = 342,144

Divide 342,144 by 300 = 1140.48

Then 1140.48 + 50 = 1190.48 lbs

Method #3

Standard Cloth Tape Measure in Inches:

• The horse should stand square on level ground with head upright
• Drop the weight tape over the horses back from the base of its withers draping one end of the tape over each side of the horse
• Adjust the tape end (opposite your standing side) making its length hang beyond the horse’s belly
• Bring the tape underneath the horse just behind its elbow and foreleg (horse’s circumference)
• Join the two ends of the tape together and pull it tight enough to depress the flesh slightly. Take the reading where the tip of the tape meets the figures (horse’s girth or “heart girth” measurement) 

Note: The tape is too far back if when the tape ends meet it forms a vertical line. This will produce an inaccurate reading. Aim for a slightly back slash angled line ( / ) (Figure 1). It is hard to make an equine measure up the same every time. Take a few measurements and average the readings.

The following chart has already calculated the weight. This method is probably the least accurate of the three, while understanding this, it can be a quick guide used for comparing results from the other two methods. This chart copied or printed can be kept in your barn, grooming kit or any other convenient location.

All these methods will give a good practical estimation of the “average” horse’s weight through practice and observation. Only a calibrated livestock scale will give you accuracy. However, if the methods mentioned herein are used in a consistent manner they can produce records for monitoring the weight of a horse. Weight tapes tend to be more accurate when used on an average horse of ideal/ good body condition score.

Estimating the weight of "nonstandard" horses using tape measures may be difficult and the accuracy of the results become less reliable if the horse's relative body proportions vary too much from the "average". The above mentioned methods fall within the average guidelines, but as we know, all horses are individuals, and factors must be considered where circumstances will likely reflect a deceptive weight measurement. Foals or young growing horses change regularly with time. Also, a horse that is very fit or unfit, has an unusual conformation, or whose body condition score is higher or lower than ideal are situations where inconsistent qualities can arise.

Whichever method you choose (after possibly trying all three), remain regular and consistent each time you measure. Always follow a set procedure to perform your readings and computations, and keep such parameters as time of day, weather, exercise and feeding sequences as consistent as you can. Overtime, the data collected on estimated weight will be a constructive indicator of occurrences and an effective record for monitoring purposes.

Go Green Tips:

• Replace regular light bulbs with florescent bulbs

• Place lighting fixtures along the front or side walls vs. overhead to decrease shadows in the stall

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

A horse gallops with his lung
Perseveres with his heart,
and wins with his character
Tesio

Horse Height How To

How to Measure the Height of a Horse

History of the "Hand" Measurement

A hand or handbreadth is a unit of length measurement originally based on the breadth of a male hand. In ancient cultures, measuring units developed based upon references people of the time could relate to, such as body parts (e.g., hand, foot). History suggest about 5000 years ago, the procedure of "hand" measurement was as rudimentary as stacking a man’s clenched fist one upon another. It is believed the “hand” measurement was four fingers wide at one point in time, and at others, it was four fingers and a thumb wide. This tells us it was rather rough, inaccurate and inconsistent.

Requiring a uniform dimension, around 3000 BC the Egyptians standardized the “hand” measurement. Five digits equaled a hand and four digits, a palm (Figure 1). Because of the enormous influence of the Egyptian culture, use of this system migrated to other cultures and countries. This form of measurement was not a planned system. It evolved, growing out of custom and popular usage and at some point in time, horse owners and traders agreed to do business with the “hand” standardized at 4 inches.

Figure 1

Some History Tidbits on Linear Measurement:

While the Romans occupied Britain from 43 AD until 410 AD they introduced the mile of 5000 feet (1000 paces) or double steps, the pace being equal to five Roman feet.

During the 10th Century, Saxon King Edgar and Henry 1 established the distance from the nose tip to the outstretched thumb to equal one yard.

Edward 1, during the 13th Century by decree standardized a long list of measures:
3 grains of barley = 1 inch
12 inches = 1 foot
3 feet = 1 yard
5 ½ yards = 1 rod
The rod equaled the combined total length of the left feet of the first 16 men leaving church on Sunday.
40 rods x 4 rods = 1 acre
The acre equaled the amount of land one man with an ox could work in one day.

During her reign from 1558 to 1603, Queen Elizabeth I changed, by statute, the Roman mile from 5000 feet to 5280 feet or 8 furlongs, a furlong being 40 rod (unit)s of 5 ½ yards each.

The "Hand" Measurement Today

The “hand” has become a tradition of measurement in several different countries, including the USA, Australia and the UK in the determination of height for ponies, horses and other equines. This form of measurement is accurate to one inch, still not precise, but a habit with thousands of years behind the system, it is doubtful it will change. The highest point of a horse is the top of its head (poll), but since a horse can move its head up and down making it impossible to take a true measurement, the withers are used. The height of a horse is measured in a vertical line from level ground to the highest point of the withers (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Lets Measure ‘Em Up

There are several different methods available to measure the height of a horse. While certain aspects are similar, variations lie within the equipment used.

The horse should stand squarely on all four feet and on level ground (i.e. concrete, plywood or dry level earth).

It is hard to make an equine measure up the same every time. Take a few measurements and average the readings.

Measuring should be done when the animals hooves are freshly trimmed, or at least of proper length. Long toes and the addition of shoes can add to a height.

Have all the equipment needed lying on the ground close to horse.

Equipment Variables:

Metal or Cloth Tape:

Use a measuring tape; calculate the inches from the ground to the highest point of the horse's withers (Figure 2, A to B). An easy indicator to locate the highest point of the withers - lay an edible treat on the ground in front of the animal. When it puts its head down to eat the goody, look at the shoulders. The part of the shoulder that protrudes the highest is the point of the withers to extend the measuring tape.

Place measuring tape on ground from the “zero” end and hold in place with the tip of your boot, block of wood, brick etc. Pull the tape up to the highest point on your horse’s withers making sure the tape measure is perpendicular to the ground keeping it at the same distance all the way – do not pull the tape measure to meet the horse’s withers. The tape measure should be about 1 - 2 feet away from your horse’s withers. Use a carpenter’s level and place it on the horse’s withers to meet the tape measure. Embedded in the middle of the level is a small window where the bubble and the tube is mounted (vial). Two notches (or rings) designate where the bubble should be if the surface is level. Once level, read the measurement. A carpenter’s level gives you a more accurate reading, but any flat surface will work like a small piece of wood, crop, yardstick, etc.

Carpenter’s Level:

Calculating the Results:

Convert the measurement from inches to hands. One hand is equal to 4 inches, so divide the height in inches by 4. Example, if the horse measures 60 inches, divide by 4 and the correct measurement is 15h (“h” stands for hands) or 15hh (“hh” stands for hands high).

If the horse measures 62 inches, divide by 4 and you will get 15.50. Remembering a hand is 4 inches, the fraction .50 is two equal quarters of 4 or simply “2”. In horseman's terms, this equates to 15 hands, 2 inches.

When written correctly, the number before the period is the number of whole hands and the number after the period is the remaining number of inches. The number after the period is not a fraction – it is inches. The acceptable language of the measurement when spoken is to say either, "15.2 hands," “15.2 hands high” or simply "fifteen-two."

If your original measurement from the tape is a fraction of an inch i.e. 60 ½”, some people will incorporate them into the height of the equine, but by standards most do not. So, round ½“ measurements or any fractions below that down to the closest whole inch and round fractions above ½ “ up to the next whole inch.

For those wishing to use metric, 4 inches equals 10.16 centimeters.

The following link will do the conversion for you.

http://www.onlineconversion.com/horse_height.htm

The following measuring devices are convenient for measuring the height of equines. Hand and inch measurements are already marked on them giving the measurements easily.

Rigid Poles with Short Cross Bars:

Special Equine Height/Weight Tape Measure:

See...How to Weigh Your Horse

Some Equine Height Tidbits:

A pony will measure up to 14.2hh (58’) and anything above 14.2hh is classified as a horse. However, breed characteristics also play a role in defining animals as horses or ponies. In the United States, ponies in some classes of show competition are sometimes further subdivided into sections, depending on height:

Small pony: 12.2hh or smaller

Medium Pony: taller than 12.2hh up to 13.2hh
Large Pony: taller than 13.2hh, but shorter than 14.2hh

In Australia, ponies measure under 14hh and horses that measure from 14hh to 15hh are known as a Galloway.

A miniature horse is shorter than 9.2hh or 8.2hh, depending on the registry.

As of April 2008, Thumbelina is the world’s smallest horse standing at 4.1hh and the world’s tallest is Noddy standing 20.1 hands and said to be still growing.

For FEI and USEF competition in the United States, a horse can be measured with shoes on or off, but in the United Kingdom, the JMB requires shoes to be removed for measurements.

Tips from the Trail:

Some people in the industry say that if you measure an equine after the age of 2 years from the elbow to ergot, multiply the number by two, and then add the measurement from the ergot to the ground it will produce the adult height of the equine when completely grown.

Go Green Tips:

Cut down your purchases and waste:

• Borrow from barn mates when you only need something temporarily, ask if they would loan it to you or give you some if it is a disposable item - repay them by a similar gesture
• Share with barn mates things like books, magazines, movies, games, newspapers , shampoos, conditioners and other products that are not individual to a horse - i.e tack, grooming tools, etc
  

  Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

A horse is poetry in motion
Author Unknown

Horse Body Condition Scoring System

HORSE BODY CONDITIONS

Remember Goldilocks and the Tree Bears? 

Find the Right Score that Fits Your Horse

Horse Body Condition Scoring System

What is It?

Statistically more and more people are becoming conscious of their health and the importance food and exercise play in attaining a long healthy life. For a long time, I have been among those continuing to make efforts to improve the health and longevity of my family members, including our pets. I have devoted a lot of effort to applying concepts of proper balance with a routine exercise program, and the appropriate foods and portions they consume in their diet.

A moderate body condition with well balanced composition ratios is vital to one’s well being: despite the gene pool and early life conditions we were dealt with, maintaining it in maturity lies solely in the individual’s hands. No matter the race, sex or age, there is an abundant of shapes and sizes in the world and we have indefinite words describing the many forms (fat, skinny, looks good, looks bad, etc), which leave differences in interpretation. These circumstances of imprecise, subjective physical descriptions are relevant to properly assessing the body condition of a horse as well. Considering this concern, Dr. Don Henneke during his tenure at A&M University, developed a simple and consistent method of evaluating a horse’s body condition. His standardized scoring system is an objective method widely accepted in the equine industry and additionally in the courts of law in prosecuting cruelty cases. Today, an individual has a standard management tool through Dr. Henneke’s scoring system to assess relative body fat in horses.

The Body Condition Score (BCS) system is the process of analyzing set positions on the horse and then assigning a score of 1 (extremely emaciated) to 9 (extremely fat) for a particular body condition following certain descriptive criteria. The system is based on visual appraisal (what the horse looks like) and manual palpation (what the horse feels like) of fat cover on six set areas of the horse’s body. The BCS system evaluates only the amount of body fat covering skeletal markers on the six locations, not quality or conformation of the horse. However, just as with humans, there are variables amongst horses to reflect on while making the evaluation. The final score could possibly be altered if these variables are not considered. You need to analyze the “total” horse and take into account its individual differences to reach a score accurately.

Considerations

Considering the individual situation of the horse, do not disregard its differences from typical body types. Instead make concessions for them or the criteria within each score may be difficult to apply. Because of unique contours in horses, visual inspection maybe misleading in determining the actual situation. Recommendations to eliminate misinterpretation of decisive factors from the visual appraisal include issues such as prominent withers, weak top lines, injuries, and so forth. Next, consider external and internal factors that can impact appearance. Skeletal landmarks can be obscured by dirt, lighting, a winter coat, or just the way the horse is standing. Also, you must give appropriate regard to the changing conformation throughout the gestation period of pregnant mares. Additionally, a horse may look extended or condensed due to digestive contents, but the prominence of the skeleton will not change upon a closer palpation inspection.

Now, is it muscle or fat? The intensity of exercise will affect conformation. When examining a horse visually or by palpation, it is easily determined if the horse is extremely malnourished. Obviously, under conditions of malnourishment, fat content may have been significantly reduced, but with some horses, observation points like the hindquarters, shoulders, and around the tailhead can have unusual formations of muscle mass where fat may normally collect. Fat feels soft and spongy to the touch and muscle is hard and firm. A little practice with palpitation will allow the evaluation to easily differentiate between the two. When horses are difficult to evaluate visually, the amount of body fat in relation to musculature must be determined by feel. In all these described instances, as well as the remaining sites in the BCS diagram, the need of additional emphasis placed on palpation and visual evaluation is required. Score a horse according to its individual characteristics using both visual and palpation exams.

The Ideal Score

There is no doubt that you are what you eat and supplying the correct nutritional needs to your horse is essential to their overall health. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise program is key to achieving the ideal body score between 5 to 7 for horses. These optimum scores exemplify a horse to have an appropriate fat reserve. Fat is stored energy. These reserves are energy to utilize when necessary, notably in stressful situations. The horse scoring a 3 or below will have practically to absolutely no fat reserve and will make use of vital protein from muscle for energy exacerbate. The deficiencies in their suboptimal condition even more. On the other hand, a score of 8 or above demonstrates an excess of fat that impacts the body adversely by weakening its normal efficiency causing a cascade of events also. These extreme cases are opposite ends of the spectrum and both have pressing issues, but the first more imminent and requires immediate attention.

Descriptions of the nine condition scores each have distinctive characteristics. The ideal median score for a horse is 5, which requires a visual and palpation examination, but the extremes, below 4 and above 7, are noticeable by just a visual evaluation. Still a palpation exam will be necessary to obtain an accurate score. Pictures of extreme cases are numerous all over the internet, especially in cruelty cases with scores below 4. A horse allowed to reach score 3 or below is an unjustifiable wickedness. Posting pictures of this malice is not the purpose of this blog, but if you are aware of horses suffering in this manner, notify authorities immediately. Horses above a score of 7 are not healthy either and the lasting effects can be detrimental. The owner needs to take action to rectify the problem as soon as possible.

Put the System to Work

As a horse gains weight, fat lays down in predictable patterns. First, it will cover to protect vital organs and then it forms in other sections of the body. BCS assigns a numerical value to fat deposition in six areas. Some people have added areas to Dr. Henneke’s original six, but only Dr. Henneke’s areas will be visited here (Figure 1):

A) crest of the neck
B) along the withers
C) crease down the back (loin)
D) at the tailhead, rump
E) over the ribs at mid-barrel
F) behind the shoulder

Figure 1

Evaluate and score each area individually through direct observation and manual palpation. Press each of the six parts of the horse using physical contact and moderate pressure with your hands rating each area. Press with your hand holding it flat, fingers together, feel the reference points, and notice the fat coverings. Be firm and gentle. Both gestures are necessary to score a horse properly. Continue this process on the other side of your horse and see if your observations are consistent. Assign the numerical score to each part of the horse from visual and manual exams that correspond with its condition (Figure 2). Compare the results and total the six numbers you have collected and divide by six giving a resulting number, which is the horse’s rating score on the Henneke Body Scoring Condition Chart.

Figure 2

Score 1: Poor

Horse is extremely emaciated with no fatty tissue felt

Neck – bone structure is easily visible
Withers - bone structure is easily visible
Loin – spinous processes project prominently, also in the hip joints and lower pelvic bones
Tailhead - spinous processes project prominently
Ribs – bones project prominently
Shoulder – bone structure is easily visible

Score 2: Very Thin

Horse is emaciated with slight fat tissue covering over base of spinous processes

Neck – bone structure is faintly discernible
Withers - bone structure is faintly discernible
Loin – transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded
Tailhead - spinous processes prominent, also in the hip joints and lower pelvic bones
Ribs – very little fat cover with bones easily discernible
Shoulder – bone structure is faintly discernible

Score 3: Thin

Neck – bone structure is accentuated
Withers - bone structure is accentuated
Loin – fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily visible; transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae cannot be felt
Tailhead – prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be identified visually, also the hip joints appear rounded but easily discernible and lower pelvic bones are not distinguishable
Ribs –slight fat cover with bones easily discernible
Shoulder – bone structure is accentuated

Score 4: Moderately Thin

Neck – not obviously thin
Withers – not obviously thin
Loin – slight ridge or negative crease
Tailhead – prominent depending on conformation, fat can be felt; hip joints not discernible
Ribs – faint outline of ribs discernible
Shoulders - not obviously thin

Score 5: Moderate

Neck – blend smoothly into body
Withers – appear rounded over spinous processes
Loin – back is flat/level with no crease or ridge
Tailhead – fat beginning to feel spongy
Ribs – not visually distinguishable, but easily felt
Shoulders - blend smoothly into body

Score 6: Moderately Fleshy

Neck – fat deposits beginning to form
Withers – fat deposits beginning to form
Loin – may have slight/positive crease
Tailhead – fat feels soft
Ribs – fat over ribs spongy
Shoulders - fat deposits beginning to form

Score 7: Fleshy

Neck – fat deposits
Withers – fat deposits
Loin – may have slight/positive crease down back
Tailhead – fat feels soft
Ribs – noticeable filling between ribs with fat, but ribs can be felt
Shoulders - fat deposits

Score 8: Fat

Neck – noticeable thickening of neck and fat deposits along inner thighs
Withers – filled with fat
Loin – positive crease down back
Tailhead – fat feels very soft
Ribs – difficult to feel ribs
Shoulders - filled with fat

Score 9: Extremely Fat

Neck – bulging fat and inner thighs may rub together
Withers – bulging fat
Loin – obvious positive crease down back
Tailhead – bulging fat
Ribs – patchy fat appearing and flank area filled with fat
Shoulders - bulging fat

Now What?

It is important to achieve and maintain a proper body condition in your horse. BCS is a clue to its overall health. It may be a more reliable indicator of nutritional status than live weight scales because BCS measures the balance between intake and expenditure of energy giving you an accurate evaluation to make adjustments in the horse’s diet, exercise and other programs. Body condition directly relates to the way a horse functions and there are factors that influence the horse’s body condition.

Following are some areas that may influence the horse’s body condition and here is where you will make the changes necessary to reach the ideal score for your horse:

Availability and amount of food and water
Reproduction Status
Weather Changes
Activity Demands
Parasite Load
Dental Abnormalities

Condition score is a helpful tool in determining the amount and type of forage, concentrate and supplement needed. Depending upon the area(s), adjust your programs slowly. To adjust scores safely either upward or downward, the regulation of energy intake is extremely important. Adjust feeding program to ensure adequate energy intake from a forage-based diet. For horses with a BCS below 5, provide higher quality forages and/or higher levels of energy supplements balanced with protein to increase weight or improve condition score. Research has shown that increasing or decreasing energy intake by 10 to 15 percent above or below the animal’s requirement will result in weight gain or loss and an appropriate adjustment in the condition score. This can be accomplished by increasing or decreasing the grain (concentrate) portion of the diet by 20 percent to move either up or down one condition score within a 2-week period (Ott and Asquith). For the obese horse that is maintained on pasture only, the horse may need to be put on dry lot part of the day to decrease its intake. An easy keeper on solely a hay diet and still carrying too much weight may benefit from more mature hay. This will provide the fill needed by the digestive tract while reducing caloric intake. Other than addressing intake, increasing the horse’s exercise program can also help with shedding added pounds. Always, provide horses with mineral supplements and free-choice seaweed meal year-round and control disease and parasites by developing an appropriate health program (consult your veterinarian). See... Spring Clean Your Barn, Disinfect Your Barn, Pest Control and Pest Control B.

BCS with a little time and practice can be used by anyone, anywhere at anytime. Under “normal” circumstances, perform BCS on a regular basis and hopefully with a regulated diet, exercise program and regular medical exams both you and your horse can enjoy a long healthy life.

Go Green Tips:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables fed to your horse as treats are healthy alternatives for him
• Add water to your horse's daily feedings, mix well until water is absorbed; fermentation occurs outside instead of inside the digestive system. Moisturizing helps reduce the amounts of dropped feed when eating too!

Any Go Green Ideas?

Email us: info@agreenhorse.com

My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder
He carries me away from all my fears
And when the world threatens to fall asunder
His mane is there to wipe away my tears.

Bonnie Lewis