How Much Does a Horse Weigh? (Average Horse Weight Chart)
The answer to the question of how much a horse weighs isn’t straightforward. Despite the fact that the average value is 900 to 2,000 pounds (408 – 907 kg), the price is mostly determined by the horse’s breed, age, and height.
However, using the girth length as a measure, you can rapidly compute its estimated weight. Keep in mind that knowing the horse’s usual weight can assist you in identifying any potential health issues. Let’s see what happens.
Contents
Horse Weigh at Birth
The weight of a newborn foal is usually 10% that of its mother. Surprisingly, its weight is always determined by the mother, and the father’s weight has only a minor impact on this attribute.
For example, a mare weighing 1,500 pounds (680 kg) will have a kid weighing around 150 pounds (68 kg). It is a general rule that applies to all breeds. You should be aware, however, that first-time mares nearly often give birth to smaller foals.
There are a few exceptions to this rule that you should be aware of. Even though twins in horses are uncommon, they do occur. Both foals will be underweight in this situation. Premature foals or those with birth difficulties that require rapid veterinary attention are another alternative.
Adult Horse Weight
The amount of food you feed your horse on a daily basis is one of the most important things that affects its weight. Your horse’s daily requirements are 1.5 percent to 3% of its body weight, but it must be adequately exercised to avoid overweight concerns.
The Henneke Body Condition Scoring System, which rates a horse’s weight from poor (1) to obese, is the best way to determine this figure (9). Oral health, the season, and the horse’s physical traits are all things to consider.
Horse weight based on the type
The average horse weight varies substantially depending on the type of horse.
Horse weight based on the type |
|
sort of horse | a horse’s weight |
Draft | 680.38 – 997.90 kg) 1,500 to 2,200 lb (680.38 – 997.90 kg) |
Light | 362.87 – 680.38 kg) to 800 lbs (362.87 – 680.38 kg) |
Ponies | 136.07 – 408.23 kg (300 – 900 lbs) |
Miniature | Between 100 and 350 pounds (45.35 and 158.75 kg) |
Horse weight based on breed
The weight of a horse varies depending on the breed, although it is not set in stone. Within a breed, there are many deviations, but there is a general concept of what to expect.
Horse weight based on breed |
|
breed of horse | Average height and weight |
Percheron | 850.5 – 950 kg (1,875 – 2,095 lb) |
Belgian | 816.5 – 998 kg (1,800 – 2,200 lbs) |
Punch from Suffolk | 751 – 900 kg (1,655 – 1,985 lbs) |
Shire | 701 – 1,200 kg = 1,545 – 2,645 lbs |
Ardennes | 701 – 1,000 kg = 1,545 – 2,205 lbs |
Clydesdale | 701 – 800.5 kg = 1,545 – 1,765 lbs |
Draft | The weight ranges from 1,540 to 1,870 pounds (698.5 to 848 kg). |
Draught Irish | 599 – 800.5 kg = 1,320 – 1,765 lbs |
Vanner Gypsy | 590 – 726 kg (1,300 – 1,600 lbs) |
Hunter (heavyweight) | 590 – 698.5 kg (1,300 – 1,540 lbs) |
Friesian | 590 – 680 kg (1,300 – 1,500 lbs) |
Bay of Cleveland | 549 – 701 kg (1,210 – 1,545 lbs) |
Hanoverian | 549 – 651 kg (1,210 – 1,435 lbs) |
Warmbloods from the United States | 549 – 599 kg (1,210 – 1,320 lbs) |
Warmblood Dutch | 549 – 599 kg (1,210 – 1,320 lbs) |
Oldenburg | 544 – 680.5 kg (1,200 – 1,500 lb) |
Fresian | 544–635 kilograms (1,200–1,400 pounds) |
Warmblood Danish Warmblood | 544–635 kilograms (1,200–1,400 pounds) |
Andalusian | 544 – 590 kg (1,200 – 1,300 lbs) |
Fino Paso | 544 – 590 kg (1,200 – 1,300 lbs) |
Trakehner | 499 – 680.5 kg (1,100 – 1,500 lbs) |
Ridden Hunter, Middleweight | 499 – 635 kg (1,100 – 1,400 lbs) |
Warmbloods from Poland (Welskpoloski) | 499 – 635 kg (1,100 – 1,400 lbs) |
Pony from the Highlands | 499 – 599 kg (1,100 – 1,320 lbs) |
Standardbred | The weight ranges from 1,000 to 1,320 pounds (453.5 to 599 kg). |
Saddlebreds from the United States | 453.5 – 544.5 kg (1,000 – 1,200 lb) |
Holsteiner | 449 – 800.5 kg) 990 – 1,765 lbs |
Westphalian | 990–1,320 pounds (449–599 kilograms) |
Ridden Hunter (Lightweight) | 990–1300 pounds (449–590 kg) |
Cob Horses are a type of horse that is bred | 449 – 544.5 kg (990 – 1,200 lbs) |
Thoroughbred | 990–1100 pounds (449–499 kg) |
Paint | 950 – 1,200 lb (431 – 544.5 kg) |
Quarter of the United States of America | 950–1200 pounds (431–544 kilograms) |
Hackney Carriage | 905–1200 lb (410.5–544 kg) |
Lipizzaner | 905–1200 lb (410.5–544 kg) |
Nakota | 900–1,500 pounds (408–680 kilograms) |
Fox Trotter from Missouri | 900–1200 pounds (408–544 kilograms) |
Tennessee Walker is a writer who lives in Tennessee. | 900–1200 pounds (408–544 kilograms) |
Lusitano | 900–1100 pounds (408–499 kilograms) |
Morgan | 900–1100 pounds (408–499 kilograms) |
Pony Polo | 900–1100 pounds (408–499 kilograms) |
Morgan | 900–1100 pounds (408–499 kilograms) |
Warmbloods from Sweden | The weight ranges from 880 to 1,210 pounds (399 to 549 kilograms). |
Hackney | The weight ranges from 880 to 1,210 pounds (399 to 549 kilograms). |
Pony of the Dales | The weight ranges from 880 to 1,100 pounds (399 to 499 kilograms). |
Fjord | The weight ranges from 880 to 1,100 pounds (399 to 499 kilograms). |
Arabian | The weight ranges from 795 to 990 pounds (360.5 to 449 kg). |
Haflinger | 770–1,320 pounds (349–599 kilograms) |
Fell Pony is a name for a pony that has fallen | 770–990 pounds (349–449 kilograms) |
Welara | 660–880 pounds (299–399 kilograms) |
Pony Eriskay | 660–880 pounds (299–399 kilograms) |
Pony from Exmoor | 660–880 pounds (299–399 kilograms) |
Pony from Connemara | 290 – 390 kg (640 – 860 lbs) |
Hackney Pony (Hackney Pony) | 550–770 pounds (249.5–349 kilograms) |
Pony from the New Forest | 510–730 pounds (231–331 kilograms) |
Pony with Spots | 440 – 880 lbs. (199.5 – 399 kg) |
Pony from Dartmoor | 440 – 705 lb (199.5 – 320 kg) |
Shetland Pony is a breed of pony native to the British Isles. | 181.5 – 199.5 kg (400 to 440 lbs) |
Horse weight based on height
The weight range of an average horse is determined by its height, according to a rule. Some horses, however, may be lighter or heavier than others for a given height.
Horse weight based on height |
|
Hands-on height of horse | the weight of the horse |
9h | 420 – 530 lb (190.5 – 240.5 kg) |
10h | 530–620 pounds (240.5–281 kilograms) |
11h | 530–700 pounds (240.5–317.5 kilograms) |
12h | 530–815 pounds (240.5–370 kilograms) |
13h | 620–880 pounds (281–399 kilograms) |
13.2h | 660–880 pounds (299.5–399 kilograms) |
14h | The weight ranges from 795 to 990 pounds (360.5 to 449 kg). |
14.2h | 880–990 pounds (399–449 kilograms) |
15h | The weight ranges from 880 to 1,215 pounds (399 to 551 kilograms). |
15.2h | 905–1215 pounds (410.5–551 kilograms) |
16h | 469.5 – 701 kg (1,035 – 1,545 lbs) |
16.2h | 490 – 751 kg = 1,080 – 1,655 lbs |
17h | 551 – 800.5 kg = 1,215 – 1,765 lbs |
17.2h | 630.5 – 900.5 kg (1,390 – 1,985 lbs) |
18h | 701 – 1,041 kg) – 1,545 – 2,295 lbs |
Horse weight based on girth length
The length of the horse’s girth determines its weight. In fact, using simple formulas, you can calculate the full-grown horse’s bodyweight:
Adult weight
330 = body weight in pounds (heart girth x heart girth x body length)
Yearling weight
(heart circumference x body circumference x body length) / 301 = body weight in pounds
Weanling weight
(heart circumference x body circumference x body length) / 280 = body weight in pounds
Pony weight
299 = body weight in pounds (heart girth x heart girth x body length)
Horse weight based on heart girth length |
|
length of the girth | Weight |
30 inches tall (76 cm) | a hundred pounds (45.5 kg) |
40 inches in length (1 m) | 200 kilos (91 kg) |
45.5 inches tall (1.16 m) | 300 kilos (136.5 kg) |
50.5 inches in length (1.28 m) | 400 kilos (182 kg) |
55 inches in length (1.4 m) | a thousand pounds (227 kg) |
58.5 inches in length (1.48 m) | 600 kilos (273 kg) |
61.5 inches in length (1.56 m) | 700 kilos (318 kg) |
64.5 inches in length (1.64 m) | poundage: 800 (364 kg) |
67.5 inches in length (1.71 m) | 900 kilos (409 kg) |
70.5 inches in length (1.78 m) | a thousand pounds (455 kg) |
73 inches in length (1.85 m) | a thousand pounds (500 kg) |
75.5 inches in length (1.92 m) | 1,200 kilos (545 kg) |
77.5 inches in length (1.97 m) | 1.3 metric tons (591 kg) |
Keep in mind that the formula differs depending on whether your horse is measured in centimeters or kilograms. The weight of these units should be:
11,990 = body weight in kilograms (heart girth x heart girth x body length)
Horse weight based on age
From newborns to adults, you can always calculate the expected horse weight range.
Horse weight based on age |
|
Age | Weight |
Newborn | Approximately 10% of the mother’s weight is carried by the foal when it is born. |
Weanling | Every day, the foal gains 2 to 2.5 pounds (0.9–1.1 kg). |
Yearling | When a foal reaches half of its adult weight, it is considered fully grown. |
2-year-old | When a foal reaches 90% of its full-grown weight, it is considered fully grown. |
4-year-old | When a horse reaches its full adult weight, it is considered an adult. |
Heaviest and Lightest Horses Ever
In the 1850s, a Shire gelding named Sampson (Mammoth) was the heaviest horse ever. It weighed a whopping 3,360 pounds (1,524 kg). Big Jake, a Belgian draft, is the current heaviest horse, weighing 2,600 pounds (1,179.34 kg).
Thumbelina, the lightest dwarf miniature horse, weighed 57 pounds (25.85 kg). A dwarf miniature Einstein, who weighed less than 7 pounds (3.17 kg) at birth, is the lightest foal ever born.
Summary
Knowing your horse’s weight is critical because it indicates whether or not your animal is healthy. This has an impact on the amount of food you should provide on a daily basis as well as the payload your horse can carry. Because being overweight can lead to health problems, you should keep a close eye on this number and keep it under control.