How Much Does a Horse Weigh
The weight of horses varies significantly depending on their size and breed. On average, horses can weigh anywhere between 900 and 2,000 lbs, while ponies weigh in at 400 to 1,400 lbs. The racing breed of Quarter Horse usually weighs 900-1,200 lbs, while the American Miniature Horse weighs around 200-350 lbs. Heavier draft horses including the Clydesdale can weigh about 1,540-2,200 lbs
Average Weight of Popular Horse Breeds and Types |
|
Pony |
400-880 |
Polo Pony |
900-1100 |
Arabian |
900-1100 |
Morgan |
900-1100 |
900-1300 |
|
Cob Horses |
990-1200 |
Friesian |
1300-1500 |
Lightweight Ridden Hunter |
990-1300 |
Middleweight Ridden Hunter |
1100-1400 |
Heavyweight Hunter |
1300-1540 |
Draft |
1540-1870 |
How Much Does a Baby Horse Weigh at Birth
Newborn foals weigh approximately ten percent of their mother’s weight. For example, a mare weighing 1,600 lbs will give birth to a 160-lb baby while a pony weighing about 700 lbs will have a foal that weighs 70 lbs at birth.
How do you Weigh a Horse
The easiest way would be to use a weighing scale, but if that is not available, you can use the formula method by measuring the heart girth and body length in inches with a weight tape. The bodyweight of a full-grown horse can then be calculated from the following formula:
(Heart Girth X Heart Girth X Body Length)/300 = Bodyweight (in lbs)
Interesting Facts
- The heaviest horse ever recorded is a British Shire named Sampson that was foaled in 1846, and his peak weight was roughly calculated to be 3,360 lb (1,524 kg).
- Thumbelina, listed as the world’s smallest horse in Guinness World Records, is a dwarf miniature horse that weighs 57 lb.