It is good to know a horse’s measurements for the sake of knowing, but especially important because a lot of his health decisions are based on his height and weight. Feed is rationed according to weight, drugs are given according to weight, saddle fit is based on his height and body score, and identification is based on his height, to name a few good reasons.
To take accurate measurements of a horse, begin with a horse-designed measuring tape. These are often handed out for free at feed stores and other horse-supply shops, but can also be found online at State Line Tack’s online store. They include both a height measurement and a weight measurement.
Measuring a Horse’s Height
A horse’s height is from the ground to the top of his withers. First, stand him squarely on a level surface, like the aisle of a barn. Place the end of the tape on the floor just to the outside and a little back of his front hoof, and place your toe right at the line indicated (the tape will say “place toe here”). Stretch the tape straight up, and with two hands, fold the tape over at a right angle so the horizontal piece rests on the highest part of the horse’s withers. Take the reading where the tape is bent over. It will read something like “14.2 hands” or “16.1 hands.”
“Hands” are what horsepeople use to indicate horse height. A hand is equivalent to 4 inches. Each inch in between the hands is denoted by a “.1” for one extra inch, “.2” for two extra inches, and “.3” for 3 extra inches. A horse height that is exactly 16 hands tall can be written “16” or “16.0” hands.
For instance, the following “people” heights translate to the following horse heights:
- 5 feet tall = 60 inches tall = 15 hands high
- 5’ 1” tall = 61 inches tall = 15.1 hands high
- 5’ 2” tall = 62 inches tall = 15.2 hands high
- 5’ 3” tall = 63 inches tall = 15.3 hands high
- 5’ 4” tall = 64 inches tall = 16 hands high
Measuring a Horse’s Weight
A horse’s weight, just like a human’s, is a measurement of how much gravity is exerted on the animal, and is an indication of how much body mass he has. Horses are also measured in pounds in the United States. Stand the horse squarely, and use the same tape as in measuring height. Wrap the tape around his barrel, just behind the withers, and pull snugly enough to just barely depress the flesh. Be sure there are no twists in the tape. Overlap the two ends of the tape, and take the reading where the starting line lies. This is his weight, in pounds. On average, many light breed horses tend to be in the 1000-lb. range. Some warmbloods and the heavy draft breeds will be well over this mark, and ponies will be way under. It is a good idea to weigh young horses often as they grow, to see how they are progressing.
Scoring a Horse’s Body Condition
The Body Condition Score for horses ranges from one (poor/very thin) to nine (extremely fat) with optimal being five (moderate).
One: poor. Emaciated, bones projecting prominently, no fatty tissues can be felt.
Two: very thin. Emaciated, slight fat covering over the bases of some spinous processes.
Three: thin. Slight fat cover over ribs, individual vertebrae cannot be seen, but can be felt.
Four: moderately thin. Ridge along back, ribs barely seen, horse is not obviously thin.
Five: moderate. Ribs not visible but easily felt.
Six: moderately fleshy. Slight crease down the back, fat deposits are spongy.
Seven: fleshy. Crease down back, fat between ribs, fat deposits on withers, shoulders, and neck.
Eight: fat. Prominent crease down back, difficult to feel ribs, even more fat deposits.
Nine: extremely fat. Obvious crease down back, fat deposits are thick and numerous.
A horse that scores less than four or more than six on the body condition index should be given appropriate treatment to bring him back to a healthier weight.
With these guidelines, anyone can take accurate measurements of a horse.
This information was referenced against J. Warren Evans’ The Horse, second edition, published by W.H. Freeman in 1990.
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