How Much Does a Horse Weigh?
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Many people are surprised by how big horses are up close. But how much does a horse weigh? Horse weight depends on several factors, from breed to body condition. And even the smallest of horses weigh hundreds of pounds.
What Is the Average Horse Weight?
The average adult horse weighs around 1,100 pounds, equal to about 500 kilograms. Of course, just like humans, most horses aren’t perfectly average. An individual horse may weigh much more or less, based on genetics and fitness level.
Heavy Horses vs. Light Horses
If you’ve ever attended an equine exposition that showcased various horse breeds, you might have noticed that some horses are much bigger than others.
Most horse breeds can be slotted into one of two size categories: heavy horses and light horses.
Heavy Horses
Most heavy horses, also called draft horses, were developed to do useful work that involved pulling weight, like plowing fields, transporting heavy goods in large wagons, or dragging felled trees to a sawmill.
To maximize their pulling capacity, breeders selected horses for both height and weight. Today’s heavy horses tip the scales at an average of nearly 1,900 pounds (861 kilograms)!
In modern times, few people need workhorses, so many heavy horse breeds are in danger of disappearing. Still, you might see one of these heavy breeds at a show or parade:
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Percheron
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Belgian Draft
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Shire
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Ardennes
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American Cream Draft
Light Horses
Light horses were historically used for riding, racing, or pulling carriages.
There are hundreds of light horse breeds in the world, but some of the most common in modern equestrian sports are:
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Tennessee Walking Horse
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Standardbred
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Holsteiner
In- Between Horses
Some horse breeds don’t quite fit neatly into either size category, being heavier-bodied than most light horses, yet more nimble and athletic than most heavy horses.
These breeds are mostly used for riding but may also be trained to “drive” (pull a cart). Some of these in-between horse breeds include:
Finally, on the smaller side of the spectrum are ponies—horses less than 14.2 “hands” in height (one hand equals four inches), with a few exceptions, are considered ponies—and miniature horses.
Horse Breed/Type | Average Horse Weight (pounds) | Average Horse Weight (kilograms) |
Draft Horse | 1,877 | 850 |
Warmblood | 1,300 | 588 |
Saddle Horse | 1,133 | 513 |
Arabian | 937 | 424 |
Pony | 722 | 327 |
Miniature Horse | 257 | 116 |
*Based on a 2011–2017 University of Minnesota study.
How Are Horses Weighed?
To determine how much a horse weighs, “eyeballing” isn’t enough—even for horse care professionals. In one study conducted by the University of Florida, even most equine veterinarians substantially underestimated horse weights.
The most precise way to measure a horse’s weight is to use a specialized scale. However, livestock scales are expensive, heavy, and require proper calibration to remain accurate. So most horse owners use an inexpensive and common tool for tracking a horse’s weight: the height and weight tape.
These special measuring tapes are based on bodyweight equations developed by academics who weighed and measured a variety of horses.
How To Use Horse Weight Tape
To use a height and weight tape, turn it to the “weight” side, then wrap it around your horse’s body at the third thoracic vertebra. (If you don’t know how to identify the thoracic vertebrae, just measure a hand’s breadth behind the elbows.)
The measurement should be approximately where the girth should go when tacking up a horse. Then use the reference on the tape to determine your horse’s
Make sure the tape runs straight up and down from the withers to the belly, rather than wrapping around your horse at an angle.
Due to individual variation in equine conformation, horse weights measured with a height and weight tape are likely to be off by a few percentage points. Always use a recently calibrated livestock scale if an exact body weight is required.
If you need an approximate weight for your horse and don’t have a height and weight tape on hand, you can use the following equations to determine your horse’s weight with an ordinary measuring tape:
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Adult horse: heart girth circumference (in inches) x heart girth circumference x body length (in inches) ÷ 330 = body weight (in pounds)
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Yearling: heart girth circumference x heart girth circumference x body length ÷ 301 = body weight (in pounds)
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Weanling: heart girth circumference x heart girth circumference x body length ÷ 280 = body weight (in pounds)
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Pony: heart girth circumference x heart girth circumference x body length ÷ 299 = body weight (in pounds)
Like height and weight tapes, these equations are only a rough measure and likely to be off by a few pounds.
The University of Minnesota recently developed more precise bodyweight equations, which require a calculator capable of exponents (or a pencil, paper, and some arithmetic skills).
Why Calculating Horse Weight Is Important
Why would someone need to know how much a horse weighs? One big reason is weight management. Obese horses are at increased risk for equine metabolic syndrome and other illnesses.
Monitoring your horse’s weight over time will allow you to notice weight loss or gain and implement weight management measures if necessary.
Additionally, many common medications for horses are dosed by weight. Giving too little medicine might make the medication ineffective, while giving too much could cause an overdose.
Some horse trainers and riding lesson programs may use horse weight to determine the maximum rider weight for a particular horse.
Lastly, horse weight may be used to determine the right amount of feed and supplements for your horse. Most horses are healthiest on a diet of
Ration balancers, grains, and other concentrates should be measured carefully. Talk to your veterinarian about
References
Typical Body Weights | Equi-Analytical. Equi-Analytical. Published February 28, 2020.
Kentucky Equine Research Staff. What Does Your Horse Weigh? - Kentucky Equine Research. Kentucky Equine Research. Published September 23, 1998.
Catalano D, Hathaway M, McCue M, Martinson K. Estimating actual and ideal bodyweight of adult horses. extension.umn.edu. Published 2024.
Wetzel C. The Horses of Medieval Times Weren’t Much Bigger Than Modern-Day Ponies. Smithsonian Magazine. Published January 12, 2022.