Weight

[Storme]

I used a cloth tape this weekend to weigh my mare (not sure how accurate it is), but it showed she weighed 1048 and she's 16.1H. Her ribs aren't visible and she doesn't really look puggy, but I was told she had a bad back when she was given to me (haven't see any evidence of this, we've qualified for the Rodeo Finals a couple of times). I use her mostly as a trail horse, sometimes we go for a gallop and jump some sage brush. I'm wondering if for a TB her weight is at the top end of the scale or if she's okay and we need to be in a holding pattern?

[madelyn]

First of all, the girth tape is only a guestimate. There is a formula you use by measuring the heart girth, and then the length, etc., to get a more accurate weight. But around 1100 lbs for a mare that is 16.1 is pretty normal.... one of our studs is an enormous horse, 16.2, 1400 lbs, we feel the earth move under our feet whenever he's around...

[skeenan]

Do you have the formula or a link? I'd be interested in using it... thanks!

[madelyn]

try this:

http://www.nacmo.org/members/weight.tpl

and here is a formula:

1. Measure horse from point of chest to point of croup in inches (length of horse).
2. Measure horse's circumference or heartgirth in inches.
3. Calculate weight by the following: (heartgirth x heartgirth x length/300) + 50 = weight.

[Storme]

Thanks Madelyn!!!