Weight Query - what weight should he be?

[Geraldine]

16.3h British Warmblood. How do I find out what his ideal weight should be? Or do you just go off the Obesity Scoring Chart (which I also struggle to get my head around!).

Bob now:

www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3770486&id=780853668

When I first got him (porker!!):

www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=715141&id=780853668

Any ideas???

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

Can't see f/b pics hun.

 

[guisbrogal]

According to a chart I have a 16.3h Warmblood should weigh between 580 - 620kg with an average of 600kg

Hope this helps

 

[TGM]

If you are wanting to check he is in the correct condition you should go by Conditioning Scoring not a weight tape. The weight on a tape will vary according to conformation, so a fat deep chested 16.3 WB could have the same measurement as a correctly conditioned narrow chested WB. Weight tapes are great for measuring whether a horse is gaining, losing or maintaining weight though.

As a rough rule of thumb, if your horse is the correct weight you should be able to feel his ribs easily but not feel them.

 

[Geraldine]

Last time I used the weigh tape he was 637 I think, so he's not that far off. I just couldn't find any info about what he should be.

I can't see his ribs but you do have to have a good poke to feel them.

 

[TGM]

[ QUOTE ]

I can't see his ribs but you do have to have a good poke to feel them.

[/ QUOTE ] Does sound like he may be a little overweight - does he have a gutter down his bum or a bit of a cresty neck?

 

[Geraldine]

No, I have been keeping an eye out for a channel on his bum!

I asked the Yard Guru this morning (very helpful lady) and she said 'Well, it won't hurt him to lose a few pounds, but he is a chunky boy after all and not a TB'.

So I think we'll aim to get a bit off him and steady out somewhere around 620kg(ish) and see how we get on.

Thanks for all your help.