09/03/2021
Now is the perfect time to get your horse waighed before the spring grass comes through.
Why do you need to know the weight of your horse in the first place?
Accurate knowledge of the weight of your horse is important for calculating the quantity of feed that should be given. However, this is not the only concern relating to body weight. It is essential to have an, as accurate as possible, estimation of a horse’s weight for many reasons including:
Working out daily feed rations
Help monitor whether or not your horse is receiving too much (by putting weight on) or too little (losing weight) energy for work
To help administer the correct dosage of medications and wormers
It’s important that doses be as accurate as possible. Under-dosing runs the risk of building resistance in bacteria or internal parasites
Overdosing is an expensive waste of medications and can create unpleasant (and unnecessary) side-effects
Supplements and other veterinary medicines that are given orally usually require their dosage to be calculated with regards to bodyweight.
A quick drop (especially if it is rapid) may be an indicator of ill health.
Transportation with a lorry or trailers usually has a maximum weight load which should not be exceeded. Again, this can only be estimated with an accurate measure of each horse’s weight.
Monitoring foal growth and avoiding rapid growth spurts.
The most accurate method of weighing your horse is through the use of an equine specific weighbridge. This will give an accurate and quick (within five seconds) reading of bodyweight.
