It is difficult to answer the question “How much does a horse weight?” The average horse’s weight is between 900 and 2,000 pounds (408 to 907 kg), but it all depends on breed, age, height, and gender.
You can calculate the horse’s approximate weight quickly by measuring its girth. You can find out if the horse has any health problems by knowing its average weight. Let’s see.
Horses Weigh at Birth
A foal born to a mother usually weighs 10% less than its mother. It is important to note that the foal’s weight depends on its mother. The father’s weight has a very limited influence.
A mare that weighs 1,500 pounds (680kg) will have a baby that is approximately 150 pounds (68kg). This is the general rule for all breeds. You should be aware that almost all first-time mares give birth to smaller foals.
There are some exceptions that you can count on. Although twins in horses are uncommon, they can sometimes occur. If this happens, the foals will be underweight. Premature foals and those born with immediate vet attention are another option.
Horse weight adult
There are a few key factors that can impact horse weight. These include the amount of food your horse eats daily. Horses need 1.5% to 3.3% of their body weight daily. However, horses should exercise enough to avoid becoming overweight.
Henneke’s Body Condition Scoring system, which describes the horse’s weight from low (1) to high (9), is the best way to determine this value. Other factors include the horse’s oral health, season, and physical characteristics.
Horse weight based on the type
The range of average horse weights varies greatly depending on the horse type.
Horse weight based on the type |
|
| Horse type | Horse weight |
| Draft | 1,500 to 2,200 lbs (680.38 – 997.90 kg). |
| Light | 800 to 1,500 pounds (362.87- 680.38kg) |
| Ponies | 300 to 900 lbs (136.07 – 408.23 kg). |
| Miniature | 100 to 350 lbs (45.35 – 158.75 kg). |
Horse weight based on breed
Horse weight is dependent on the breed. However, it is not fixed in stone. There are many exceptions to a breed’s rules, but it is possible to get an idea of what you can expect.
Horse weight based on breed |
|
| Horse breed | Average Weight |
| Percheron | 1,875 to 2,095 Pounds (850.5 – 950 Kg) |
| Belgian | 1,800-2,200 pounds (816.5–998 kg) |
| Suffolk Punch | 1,655 to 1,985 Pounds (751 – 995 kg). |
| Shire | 1,545 to 2,645 lbs (701 – 1,200kg) |
| Ardennes | 1,545 to 2205 pounds (701 to 1,000 kg). |
| Clydesdale | 1,545 to 1,765 Pounds (701 – 80.5 Kg) |
| Draft | 1,540 to 1,870 lbs (698.5 – 848 kg). |
| Irish Draught | 1,320 to 1,765 Pounds (599 -800.5 Kg) |
| Gypsy Vanner | 1,300 to 1,600 lbs (590 – 726 kilo) |
| Heavyweight Hunter | 1,300 to 1,540 Pounds (590 – 6698.5kg) |
| Friesian | 1,300 to 1,500 lbs (590 – 680kg) |
| Cleveland Bay | 1,210 to 1,545 lbs (549 – 711 kg) |
| Hanoverian | 1,210 to 1,435 lbs (549 – 651kg) |
| American Warmblood | 1,210 to 1,320 lbs (549 – 699 kg). |
| Dutch Warmblood | 1,210 to 1,320 lbs (549 – 599kg) |
| Oldenburg | 1,200 to 1,500 Pounds (544 – 6680.5kg) |
| Fresian | 1,200 to 1,400 pounds (544–635 kg). |
| Danish Warmblood | 1,200 to 1,400lbs (544 – 635kg) |
| Andalusian | 1,200 to 1,300 lbs (544 – 590 kilom) |
| Paso Fino | 1,200 to 1,300 lbs (544 – 590 kilom) |
| Trakehner | 1,100 to 1,500 Pounds (499 – 6680.5kg) |
| Middleweight Ridden Hunter | 1,100 to 1,400 Pounds (499 – 635 Kg) |
| Polish Warmblood (Welskpoloski). | 1,100 to 1,400 Pounds (499 – 635 Kg) |
| Highland Pony | 1,100 to 1,320 lbs (499 – 5,99 kg). |
| Standardbred | 1,000 to 1,320 pounds (453.5–599 kg) |
| American Saddlebred | 1,000 to 1,200 lbs (453.5 – 544.5 kg). |
| Holsteiner | 990 to 1,765 Pounds (449 – 8800.5 Kg) |
| Westphalian | 990 to 1,320 lbs (449 – 599 kilom) |
| Lightweight Ridden Hunter | 990 to 1,300 Pounds (449 – 590 Kg) |
| Cob Horses | 990 to 1200 pounds (449 – 544.5 kg). |
| Thoroughbred | 990 to 1,100 lbs (449 – 499kg) |
| Paint | From 950 to 1200 pounds (431 -544.5 kg). |
| American Quarter | From 950 to 1,200 Pounds (431 – 54 kg). |
| Hackney Horse | 905 to 1200 pounds (4410.5 – 544 kg) |
| Lipizzaner | 905 to 1200 pounds (4410.5 – 544 kg) |
| Nakota | From 900 to 1,500 Pounds (408 – 680 Kg) |
| Missouri Fox Trotter | From 900 to 1,200 lbs (408 – 544 kg) |
| Tennessee Walker | From 900 to 1,200 lbs (408 – 544 kg) |
| Lusitano | 900 to 1,100 lbs (408 – 499.9 kg). |
| Morgan | 900 to 1,100 lbs (408 – 499.9 kg). |
| Polo Pony | 900 to 1,100 lbs (408 – 499.9 kg). |
| Morgan | 900 to 1,100 lbs (408 – 499.9 kg). |
| Swedish Warmblood | 880 to 1,210 lbs (399 – 554 kg) |
| Hackney | 880 to 1,210 lbs (399 – 554 kg) |
| Dales Pony | 880 to 1,100 lbs (399 – 499 Kg) |
| Fjord | 880 to 1,100 lbs (399 – 499 Kg) |
| Arabian | 795 to 989 pounds (3360.5 – 449kg) |
| Haflinger | 770 to 1,320 lbs (349 – 59 kg) |
| Fell Pony | 770 to 909 pounds (349 to 449 kg). |
| Welara | 660-880 pounds (299-399 kg). |
| Eriskay Pony | 660-880 pounds (299-399 kg). |
| Exmoor Pony | 660-880 pounds (299-399 kg). |
| Connemara Pony | 640-860 pounds (290-390 kg). |
| Hackney Pony | 550 to 770 lbs (249.5 – 349 kg). |
| New Forest Pony | 510 to 730 lbs (231 – 331 kg). |
| Spotted Pony | 440-880 pounds (199.5-399 kg) |
| Dartmoor Pony | 440 to 705 lbs (199.5 – 325 kg). |
| Shetland Pony | 400 to 440 Pounds (181.5 to 199.5kg) |
Horse weight based on height
The average horse’s weight depends on its height. Some horses may be heavier or lighter depending on their height.
Horse weight based on height |
|
| Horse height in hands | Horse Weight |
| 9h | 420 to 530 lbs (190.5 – 240.5kg) |
| 10h | 530 to 625 pounds (240.5 – 281 kg). |
| 11h | 530 to 700 lbs (240.5 – 317.5 kg). |
| 12h | 530 to 815 lbs (240.5 – 370 kg). |
| 13h | 620-880 pounds (281-399 kg). |
| 13.2h | 660-880 pounds (299.5–399 kg). |
| 14h | 795 to 989 pounds (3360.5 – 449kg) |
| 14.2h | 880 to 909 pounds (399 to 449 kg). |
| 15h | 880 to 1,215 lbs (399 – 551 kg) |
| 15.2h | 905 to 1,215 lbs (410.5 – 551 kg). |
| 16h | 1,035 to 1,545 lbs (469.5 – 701 kg). |
| 16.2h | 1,080 to 1,655 Pounds (490 – 751 Kg) |
| 17h | 1,215 to 1,765 Pounds (551 – 80.5 Kg) |
| 17.2h | 1,390 to 1,985 Pounds (630.5 – 900.5 Kg) |
| 18h | 1,545 to 2,295 lbs (701 – 1,041 kilo) |
Horse weight based on Girth Length
The length of the horse’s girth directly affects its weight. Using simple formulas, you can even calculate the horse’s full-grown bodyweight.
Adult Weight
(heart girth, heart girth, and body length) = 330 = bodyweight in pounds
Yearling Weight
(heart girthxbody length) = body weight in pounds
Weanling Weight
(heart girth, heart girth, and body length) = 280 = bodyweight in pounds
Pony Weight
(heart girthxbody length) = 299 = bodyweight in pounds
Horse weight based on heartgirth length |
|
| Girth length | Weight |
| 30 inches (76cm) | 100 pounds (45.5 kg) |
| 40 inches (1 m). | 200 pounds (91 kg) |
| 45.5 inches (1.16m) | 300 pounds (136.5 kg) |
| 50.5 inches (1.28m) | 400 pounds (182 kg) |
| 55 inches (1.4 m). | 500 pounds (227 kg) |
| 58.5 inches (1.48m) | 600 pounds (273 kg) |
| 61.5 inches (1.56m) | 700 pounds (318 kg) |
| 64.5 inches (1.64m) | 800 pounds (364 kg) |
| 67.5 inches (1.71m) | 900 pounds (409 kg) |
| 70.5 inches (1.78m) | 1,000 pounds (455 kg) |
| 73 inches (1.85m) | 1,100 pounds (500 kg) |
| 75.5 inches (1.92m) | 1,200 pounds (545 kg) |
| 77.5 inches (1.97m) | 1,300 pounds (591 kg) |
Remember that the formula does not work if your horse is measured in kilograms or centimeters. These units should determine the horse’s weight.
(heart girthxbody length) = body weight in kilograms
Horse weight based on age
It is possible to calculate the expected horse weight range for each life stage, from newborns to adult.
Horse weight based on age |
|
| Age | Weight |
| Newborn | A foal born to a mother weighs about 10% less than the mother. |
| Weanling | Foal gains between 2 and 2.5 pounds (0.9 to 1.1 kg) per hour |
| Yearling | Half of full-grown weight for foal is reached |
| 2-year-old | Foal weighs 90% more than full-grown. |
| 4-year-old | Horses reach the adult weight |
Heaviest And Lightest Horses Ever
A Shire gelding Sampson (Mammoth), who lived in 1850s, was the heaviest horse to ever live. It weighed in at an incredible 3,360 pounds (1.5224 kg). Big Jake, a Belgian draft horse, is currently the heaviest horse at 2,600 pounds (1.179.34 kilogram).
Thumbelina, a dwarf miniature horse that weighed 57 pounds (25.85 kilograms), was the lightest. A dwarf miniature Einstein, weighing less than 7 pounds (3.17kg) at birth, is the lightest foal.
Summary
Knowing your horse’s weight is vital as it will tell you if they are healthy. This directly affects the amount of food your horse can eat each day and the payload they can carry. Being overweight can lead to health problems. You should monitor this value regularly and control it.
