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Introduction:
You are relatively new to horse-keeping. Or perhaps you have been in the business for a reasonably long time now. But you find it hard to monitor your horses’ health. Determining the right dosage of their medication has also become a daunting task for you.
But let’s take a moment and understand a few basics. Did you know the weight of your horse will come in handy in making critical decisions?
Usually, this information will be central to establishing prospective health problems. It will also be comfortable for you to keep track of the growth of the young horses. Besides, identifying the right dose medication will hardly be an issue anymore.
But it does not stop there. Often, you will need to understand the weight of your horse. Or don’t you want it to remain as healthy as you desire in the long run? The big question, therefore, will be how much does the average horse weigh?
Well, in most cases, you will determine the weight of a horse either by breed or height. You could also combine the two. But let’s make things easier. We shall take a look at the average weight of horses based on their breeds and then by their weight.
Read with us!
What’s the typical weight of a horse?
Understandably, there is always an average range of weight that a healthy horse should have. As mentioned earlier, the weights will distinctively vary by breed. However, this range will often be between 200kg and over 850kg.
But perhaps we should start with the basics. Generally, horses can be put into two categories; the light and heavy ones.
In most cases, you will find those in the drafts breeds being the heaviest. These horses are ideally built for heavy work, and they feature strong hindquarters with shorter backs. Additionally, they come with a weight of between 1700 and over 2000 pounds. And did you know that you could use them on wagons as well as plows?
On the contrary, light horses usually weigh between 900 and 1500 pounds. These horses are relatively common in races, driving, and even riding.
Weight By Breed
Pony
Ponies are some of the smallest horses around. While they are often given to small children, they tend to come with bad tempers. In most cases, you will get either a saddle or a large pony. While the former is between 10 and 12hh, the latter is about 13-14hh.
Smaller ponies will often weigh between 225 and 350kg. On the other hand, the large ones will come with a weight of between 250 and 360kg.
Did you know that there is the Shetland pony too? It is the smallest of all. It is often between 8 and 10hh. Further, they weigh around 200 to 225kg on average.
Arabian Horse
The Arabian horse is among the most common average-sized horses. It prides itself on an enhanced sense of grace and even speed. An adult horse will often be between 1.4 and 1.6m at shoulder. In most cases, you will witness that they come with an average weight of 450kg.
But perhaps a more in-depth look into this breed will come in handy. An average sterilized horse comes with a height of between 14 and 15hh and 1200 lbs in weight. On the other hand, a mare will be between 14 and 14.3hh and have a weight of around 1100lbs.
Thoroughbred
It would be relatively unfair not to mention the thoroughbred horse. Some of the outstanding things this breed comes with are their stamina, as well as speed. In most cases, you will find it in races. At maturity, they will be around 1000 lbs.
Castrated ones will always be between 16 and 17hh in height. While at it, they will weigh around 1200 pounds. On the other hand, its mare will be between 15.3 and 16.1hh tall. It will also come with a weight of about 1100 pounds.
Quarter Horse
Have you heard anything about the quarter horse? It is one of the widely registered breeds across the globe. Its friendliness is unmatched. An adult quarter horse will often come with a height of about 63.5 inches and a weight of around 1178 lbs.
How about when it is castrated? This horse will weigh around 800 to 1200 pounds. It will also be between 14.2 and 15.3hh tall. While its mare will come with a similar weight, it will be between 14 and 15hh in height.
Percheron
The Percheron. The most common breed of horses in the US. On average, this is horse comes with a height of between 16.2hh and 17.3hh. While their average weight is around 1900 lbs, they could easily get a top weight of 2600 lbs.
A gelding will, in most cases, feature between 2200 and 2600 pounds. Further, it is usually between 15 and 19hh. On the other hand, its mare comes with a weight of between 2000 and 2450 lbs and a height of around 16hh.
Shire
Shires pride themselves in being among the biggest as well as the heaviest horses. These stallions come with an average height of slightly over 17hh. Additionally, they tend to weigh around 2000 pounds or 900kg.
In case it is castrated, then it will weigh around 2000 to 2200 pounds. These geldings will come with a height of approximately 17.2 to 18.2hh. On the other hand, the mare will feature an average height of 17.5hh and a mass of 1800-2000 pounds.
Clydesdale
This is a mid-size draft horse. In most cases, a mature male will be around 17 to 19hh. Its average weight will lie between 1700 and 2200 pounds. Conversely, female Clydesdale horses will feature a mass of between 1500 and 2000 pounds.
If it is a gelding, then you will be sure of getting a weight of between 1800 and 2000 pounds. While at it, most mares will weigh between 1700 and 1900 pounds and will be 15.3 to 16hh tall.
Friesian
While Friesians will often resemble draft horses, they hardly qualify to be among them. At the age of four, these horses will often weigh approximately 1300 pounds. While at it, it will usually be around 1.6 meters tall.
Let’s take a look at the typical weightiness of a gelding. Typically, it will weigh between 1300 and 1500 pounds. The mare comes with around 1300 pounds. And did you know that they will often be between 15.3 and 16hh tall?
Cleveland Bay
Well, let’s take talk about this 16 to 16.2hh horse. Those horses that feature a rich and irresistible bay color. An adult, Cleveland Bay horse, will often weigh between 1400 and 1500 pounds.
In most cases, a sterilized Cleveland Bay prides on an average weight of approximately 1450 pounds. Conversely, its mare weighs around 1400 pounds.
Lipizzan
Lastly, we take a look at the Lipizzan. It prides itself on being the only one that can be trained for intricate and graceful dances and moves. On average, an adult breed comes with a weight of about 1150 pounds.
Usually, whereas a gelding could weigh an average of 1150 pounds, the mare will come with a weight of 1100 lbs. Also, you will witness that they will all come with a height of between 15 and 16hh.
Weight by Height
As mentioned earlier, you can estimate the weight of your horse by its weight. Notably, people will always ask how much does horse weigh? And it ould only be fair to quench this curiosity.
Usually, the taller the horse, the more weight it is likely to have. And if you are asking yourself how much a horse weight should be, here is your chance to familiarize yourself.
Let’s start with the 11hh horses. They will usually weigh between 264 and 572 pounds. Most of them will be either young or ponies.
12hh horses will often weigh between 506 and 638 pounds.
13hh equines come with a weight of around 638 to 770 lbs.
With 14hh, a horse is likely to weigh between 770 and 994 lbs.
If you have a 15hh horse, expect it to weigh between 924 and 1115 pounds.
16hh horses will always pride themselves on the weight of approximately 1100 to 1320 pounds.
The most giant horses will often be around 17hh. These horses will usually come with a weight of about 1320 to 1595 pounds. But, they could also weigh more.
Or maybe, we should consider putting it in tabular form. This way, it will be much easier for you to analyze. The weights shown are in kilograms
comparison Table: Weight By Height
| Height of Horse in Hands (hh) | Ponies average weight | Cob horses average weight | Lightweight Average weight | Middleweight Horses | Draft and heavyweight horses |
| 10 | 170-210 | ||||
| 11 | 200-240 | ||||
| 12 | 230-260 | ||||
| 13 | 250-340 | ||||
| 13.2 | 280-400 | ||||
| 14 | 315-400 | 360-480 | |||
| 15 | 460-530 | 400-470 | 450-500 | ||
| 15.2 | 500-580 | 440-500 | 470-520 | ||
| 16 | 480-560 | 560-630 | 620-680 | ||
| 16.2 | 510-590 | 580-650 | 650-730 | ||
| 17 | 730-900 |
Did you know that the health status of the horse will always be an integral aspect of determining their weight? A healthier horse will, undoubtedly, weigh much more than a sick one. But besides that, how about we explore some of the most asked questions?
how much does horse weigh? FAQs
Q: How much does a newborn horse weigh?
In most cases, foals tend to weigh approximately ten percent of their mother’s weight. For instance, if a thoroughbred mare weighs 1200 pounds, its foal will be about 120 lbs. There is a chance that the weight could be much lower too.
However, as this horse grows, it is likely to reach between 550 and 700 lbs once it attains between 12 and 24 months.
Q: How much does an average horse weigh?
It’s not unusual for individuals to ask, how much does horse weigh? In such instances, stating the average horse weight will come in handy. In most cases, an adult horse will weigh between 380 and 1000kg. This weight is around 900 to 2000 lbs.
Q: How much does a racing horse weigh?
Often, people will rely on light horses for racing, riding, and driving. Such horses are usually between 900 and 1500 pounds.
Q: How are horses weighed?
Usually, you will be free to estimate the weight of your horse in three different ways. It will be upon you to choose from weight tapes, scales, and online calculators. Undeniably, scales tend to be more reliable. When it comes to the weight tape, you will need to measure the size of the horse’s barrel. While at it, you could consider eyeballing too. It is an arbitrary way of estimating weight.
Q: Should I weigh my horse?
Indeed, weighing your horse will often be one of the most significant decisions for you to take. In most cases, weighing this horse will help in effectively monitoring any seasonal changes in them. You will also find it much easier to identify health problems and their medication dosing.
Besides, you will be confident about how much load they can pull. And did you know that this weight will guide you on how much you should feed your horse?
Q: What should I look for when weighing my horse?
Evaluating the weight of your horse is relatively straightforward. Usually, you will need to confirm their spine, ribs, and tailhead. The tailhead needs not to be visible, and neither should the spine feel too thin. You will also need to verify whether the neck and the withers seem to be relatively healthy.
Final Verdict:
In conclusion, understanding how much your horse weighs is an aspect that you should never overlook. It will often play a significant role in your long term decision-making. Usually, it would be best for you to consider weighing these equines from time to time. The progressive weighting comes in handy in giving you the best results in the long run.