How much does a horse weigh: average and maximum weight, how to determine

Horse breeders need to know how much a horse actually weighs in order to be able to compare with the standard. Deviations in weight may indicate either deficiencies in care, or disproportionate physical effort to the nutrition received, or he alth problems. Each age and breed of horses has its own weight gradation. Grooms use special techniques to determine the body weight of animals.

What determines the weight of a horse?

The weight of a horse is determined based on the breed standard and the degree of fatness. The height and weight of animals are closely related and affect the body type. The development of the skeleton and muscle tissue is judged by fatness.

Heavy trucks are the tallest and heaviest horses in the world. The traction force directly depends on the height and weight of the animals. Riding and light-draft breeds have a more elegant skeletal structure. Their muscular corset should be developed harmoniously. Excess weight load will require additional efforts when moving the animal. The lack of mass will affect the endurance of horses.

Feeding horses is the most important aspect of maintenance and care. The volume and calorie content are determined based on the economic purpose of the animals. On average, the total weight of daily feed, together with all supplements, should be between 1.8% and 2% of horse weight.

The weight of animals is observed in dynamics in order to monitor how the physical development of horses occurs throughout their life.

Main categories

In horse breeding, a weight classification is adopted, which is directly related to the characteristics of breeds.

There are 3 groups in total:

light;
medium;
heavy.

The first includes horses weighing up to 400, the second - from 401 to 600, the third - over 601 kilograms. Gradation applies to sexually mature mares and stallions. Observation of weight in dynamics allows you to adjust the load and type of exercise of the horse. In adults, it should not change when riding and draft breeds reach 5 years of age, in heavy trucks - 7 years.

The fatness of any breed is judged on the Hennecke scale:

Emaciated.
Very thin.
Slim.
Moderately thin.
Moderate.
Moderately plump.
Plump.
Fat.
Very thick.

The condition is determined visually and by palpation.

Unsatisfactory body condition

According to the description of the 1-2-3 categories of the Hennecke scale, this is a “depleted”, “very thin”, “thin” horse. In the first two categories, adipose tissue is completely absent, the bones are covered with skin and a small muscle layer. The "thin" fat layer appears on the neck, withers and shoulders.

If for some reason a horse has lost 50% of its weight, then it will no longer be able to restore it and is subject to culling. With a loss of 30% of the weight, the animal can be rehabilitated, but this will require considerable time and effort from the breeder. For young horses, there are age weight guidelines that breeders adhere to so that young horses develop correctly.

Sportswear

For sport horses, the ideal indicators of body condition are moderately lean and plump. “Moderately thin” means that the ridge and outlines of the ribs are visible. Withers, shoulders and neck do not seem thin.

"Moderate" fatness is when the spine and ribs are not visible, but the ribs are felt when stroking. Withers, shoulders, neck rounded or smooth.

Working

The working group includes animals with a well-developed muscular corset, with fat layers on the withers, neck, between the ribs. According to the Hennecke rating scale, body condition is rated as "moderate".

Factory

For the reproduction of the breed, animals with an ideal exterior and high sexual activity are selected. The stallions with body condition indicators “moderate” and “moderately well-fed” have the best reproductive performance. Horses in this category can be transferred to the working group, as they remain in excellent physical condition.

Exhibition

For the demonstration of the breed, the best representatives with a beautiful and proportional skeleton are selected. Horses are fattened so that the muscle relief has smoother forms due to subcutaneous fat, and the coat has a bright shade.

Evaluation category - "well-fed". Show individuals are not suitable for competition due to insufficient muscle mass.

Weight fluctuations depending on the breed of horse

The breed of a horse determines its purpose. Heavyweights will lose in speed to lighter horses, but will have an advantage in endurance and carrying capacity.

Brabancons

Belgian heavy truck. The breed was finally formed at the end of the 19th century. The average height at the withers is 170 centimeters, the average weight is 900 kilograms. Massive, muscular horses are capable of moving 3-4 times their own weight.

Shaires

The breed was bred in England at the end of the 18th century for military needs. Subsequently, muscular and very strong horses began to be used as the main labor force in agriculture and industry.The height at the withers, on average, is 170 centimeters (from 165 to 176). Weight can reach 1200 kilograms.

Heavy Trucks

The Brabancons and Shires were one of the founders of other heavyweight breeds:

Scottish;
Irish;
Vladimir;
Bolognese;
Australian.

French percherons have an admixture of the blood of Arabian horses. The origin of the English Suffolk is unknown. All heavy trucks are strong, massive, strong horses with a minimum weight of 700 kilograms.

Budyonnovsky

Universal sport horse breed.

Characteristic features of the Budyonny horse:

average height at the withers - up to 165 centimeters;
powerful croup;
long neck;
well-developed, muscular legs.

The weight of an adult horse is from 400 to 600 kilograms.

Trotters

Light draft breeds are designed for long runs. Trotters are large horses. At the withers, they can reach 170 centimeters, in length - 160 centimeters, chest coverage - 180 centimeters. Horse weight - from 500 to 550 kilograms.

Pony

Pony - a special kind of horses, including 2 subspecies. The first was formed in natural conditions with a lack of food supply and severe climatic conditions. These animals are 1.5-2 times lower and lighter than ordinary horses. By physique, such ponies resemble a reduced copy of heavy trucks. Horses are used in tourism and entertainment areas. The tallest are Scottish ponies. At the withers, they reach 107 centimeters, in weight - 200 kilograms.

The second subspecies are dwarf horses bred by humans for decorative purposes. The smallest breed is the Falabella. A reduced copy of the horse does not exceed 75 centimeters (minimum - 40 centimeters) and weighs from 20 to 60 kilograms. Clever and easily trained animals are used as companions, in particular, guides for the blind.

How to calculate the weight of an animal

To determine the live weight of a horse, body measurements in centimeters and calculation formulas are used, since the use of scales requires significant material costs.

Measuring

Parameters required for calculations:

height at withers;
bust;
horse length.

To obtain accurate results, the horse is placed on a firm and level ground. Before starting measurements, the animal must be calmed down by gentle stroking on the croup. Measuring bars and tapes are used as a measuring tool.

When determining the height at the withers, the lower end of the stick is placed against the left front hoof at the outer heel. The transverse bar is lowered to the highest point of the withers. When measuring the girth of the chest, the tape is pulled tightly along the trajectory of the girth, touching the corners of the shoulder blade. The oblique length of the body is measured together with a measuring stick: from the shoulder joint to the ischium. For self-control, measurements are taken twice.

Applied formulas for calculations

The advantage of calculated indicators is their availability and simplicity. The disadvantage is the approximate result: they are less accurate than weighing a horse on a scale.

Calculating the weight of a horse through its height

Height at the withers multiplied by the coefficient:

2.58 - for working horses in the "fat" category;
2.33 - for working horses with a "moderate" / "moderately well-fed" rating;
2,1 - for "thin" working horses;
3,39 - for "fat" heavy trucks;
3,1 - for "thin" heavy trucks.

The complexity of the calculation lies in the correct choice of the coefficient.

Durst

The calculation uses chest circumference and coefficients, the product of which gives the approximate weight of the horse. Coefficients: 3.5 - for heavy breed; 3.1 - medium; 2.7 - easy.

Matorina

The formula for calculating the weight of a horse: the chest volume is increased by 6 times and the numerical value of 620 is subtracted.

Platonova and Dzeverin

The mass of a horse is determined as the product of height and girth of the chest.

World records

Heavy trucks and ponies stand out from all breeds of horses by weight and height.

The largest horse

Maximum weight and height was recorded at the end of the 19th century in Shire Samson: 1574 kilograms and 219 centimeters, respectively. The modern record holder is inferior to him by more than 100 kilograms.

The smallest horse

Argentine Falabellas do not exceed 36 centimeters in height and weigh up to 9 kilograms.