Ideal weight?

tabithakat64

tabithakat64

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 October 2006
Messages
5,942
Location
Herts, UK
Visit site
How do you work out what a horses ideal weight should be?
I know how to condition score a horse but was wondering if there is a calculation using height, build, breed and work load or something similiar?
 
Hi there, go to the ILPH web site. they have a downloadable video telling you how to tell if the horse is at the correct weight via condition scoring. it is EXCELLENT
 
The ideal weight is a condition score of 3. This means a nice covering, but where the ribs are felt easily - but not seen.

Have a look at the Dodson & Horrel feed site it has some really good info on there.
 
I know how to condition score, I would like to find somewhere with information on how much certain breeds should weigh depending on their work load and exact height.
 
I think it would be very difficult to define. After all, you could have a two TB's, one with long legs, small head, high withers and short back and one with short legs, long back, low withers and big head, both same height, working the same, same condition score. There could easily be a huge difference in weight between the two. There are approx guidelines eg. 16hh weighs 500kg (or whatever it is), but I think tbh that is why they use condition scoring.
 
I go by sight really....I know when my lad is looking good & going well.....he's 16h1"...all legs....& at about 520kgs he's at his best.....I think trying to work by a formula will give you the wrong answer. It's the same with humans when various charts are published in magasines.......muscle is heavier than fat...but it never seems to be taken into account
crazy.gif
 
I guess I'm curious because someone very knowledgeable who I respect told me that my Welsh Cob is obsese, yet he doesn't have a crest I can feel his ribs, he doesn't have a gutter down his back or an apple shaped bum.
I know he is on the fat side and not very muscular as he is only hacked four times a week but felt that comparing his condition to her thoroughbred competition horse wasn't fair as he is never going to look like that
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
he doesn't have a crest I can feel his ribs, he doesn't have a gutter down his back or an apple shaped bum.

[/ QUOTE ]

Basically, he isn't obese, then! He may be a little podgy but it's hard this time of year and as you say, he's never going to look like a TB! It's always a good idea to keep a check on their weight, esp the breeds more prone to weight gain, but from the sounds of it he isn't too bad at all. You could always post some piccys on here for a second opinion (and 3rd, 4th, 5th
wink.gif
)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top