Using Tape Measure To Weigh A Horse

crazyhorse · 09-19-07, 08:05 AM

I have seen some horse owners that are using tape measure on their horses. I ask how them what are they for and they told me that they are weighing their horses. I was surprised that we can use tape measure to weigh horses. I then ask how to measure them and I will share it with you how to weigh horses using tape measure.

This is better done if there are two people. The goal is to get 2 measurements, the girth and the length. For the girth, measure the horse's back behind the withers all the way to the other side under the horse. For the length, measure it starting from the shoulder to the buttock. You can look at the picture on how to measure it.

Now for the computation, use this formula according to the unit of measurement you have used.
[Girth (cm) × Length (cm)] / 11,900 = Mass (kg)
[Girth (in) × Length (in)] / 836.65 = Weight (lb)

purplefdu · 09-19-07, 09:39 PM

I wonder how accurate that is? Seems like a decent rough measure, but why would someone need to weigh their horse unless they are trying to determine if its a healthy weight or not? Is there a weight limit on some registries or something?

Willow · 09-20-07, 03:40 AM

For example to administer the correct dose of medication.

crazyhorse · 09-21-07, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplefdu

I wonder how accurate that is? Seems like a decent rough measure, but why would someone need to weigh their horse unless they are trying to determine if its a healthy weight or not? Is there a weight limit on some registries or something?

This is really a good question. We have a thread in this forum regarding horses losing weight when they go to travel. This kind of measurement is very useful to know how much weight your horse lost during the travel.

QuarterHorses · 09-24-07, 03:40 PM

Agree, you need the horses weight for medication dosages, worming, and sand clear. A tape measure is an approximation, but it is close if done properly. It would be hard to find a scale that goes over 2,000 lbs

I have also used a tape when putting a horse on a diet. I can adjust the volume of feed they are getting to increase or decrease weight.

Thaworth · 09-25-07, 12:21 AM

I have heard of this. As said it gives a close approximation if done right. I have experience doing this, and you definitely will need 2 people to help.

crazyhorse · 09-29-07, 01:03 AM

And when you know the approximate weight of your horse then you will also know if your horse is healthy or not. Just like QuarterHorses said, you can't easily find a weighing scale for horses.

**alexis** · 09-29-07, 02:57 AM

I think that is really cool. Its the only thing I can think of at 3am, lack of sleep is bad. Though on the topic, I wonder if this can be done with other animals and how the person that first found this out, actually did.

mark · 09-29-07, 03:01 PM

I guess this way would be easier than trying to get the horse to stand still on the scales. And I don’t imagine a horse would enjoy being lifted in one of those hanging type scales.

Seems like this would be the way to weigh an elephant too.

BlackStallion · 09-30-07, 03:07 PM

Yeah, nice post there crazyhorse. I have a question though. Does this measurement apply only to adult horses? Or can it also be measured to young horses?

09-19-07, 08:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
crazyhorse Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 47	Using Tape Measure To Weigh A Horse I have seen some horse owners that are using tape measure on their horses. I ask how them what are they for and they told me that they are weighing their horses. I was surprised that we can use tape measure to weigh horses. I then ask how to measure them and I will share it with you how to weigh horses using tape measure. This is better done if there are two people. The goal is to get 2 measurements, the girth and the length. For the girth, measure the horse's back behind the withers all the way to the other side under the horse. For the length, measure it starting from the shoulder to the buttock. You can look at the picture on how to measure it. Now for the computation, use this formula according to the unit of measurement you have used. [Girth (cm) × Length (cm)] / 11,900 = Mass (kg) [Girth (in) × Length (in)] / 836.65 = Weight (lb)

09-24-07, 03:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
QuarterHorses Member Join Date: 08-11-07 Posts: 63	Agree, you need the horses weight for medication dosages, worming, and sand clear. A tape measure is an approximation, but it is close if done properly. It would be hard to find a scale that goes over 2,000 lbs I have also used a tape when putting a horse on a diet. I can adjust the volume of feed they are getting to increase or decrease weight. __________________ Quarter Horses, nothing is better!

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09-19-07, 09:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
purplefdu Member Join Date: 08-12-07 Posts: 236	I wonder how accurate that is? Seems like a decent rough measure, but why would someone need to weigh their horse unless they are trying to determine if its a healthy weight or not? Is there a weight limit on some registries or something?

09-20-07, 03:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Willow Member Join Date: 08-21-07 Posts: 34	For example to administer the correct dose of medication.

09-25-07, 12:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Thaworth Member Join Date: 09-08-07 Posts: 38	I have heard of this. As said it gives a close approximation if done right. I have experience doing this, and you definitely will need 2 people to help.

09-29-07, 01:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
crazyhorse Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 47	And when you know the approximate weight of your horse then you will also know if your horse is healthy or not. Just like QuarterHorses said, you can't easily find a weighing scale for horses.

09-29-07, 02:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
alexis Super-Moderator Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329	I think that is really cool. Its the only thing I can think of at 3am, lack of sleep is bad. Though on the topic, I wonder if this can be done with other animals and how the person that first found this out, actually did.

09-29-07, 03:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
mark Member Join Date: 09-06-07 Posts: 25	I guess this way would be easier than trying to get the horse to stand still on the scales. And I don’t imagine a horse would enjoy being lifted in one of those hanging type scales. Seems like this would be the way to weigh an elephant too.

09-30-07, 03:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
BlackStallion Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 37	Yeah, nice post there crazyhorse. I have a question though. Does this measurement apply only to adult horses? Or can it also be measured to young horses?