{"id":152796,"date":"2025-04-10T13:28:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T11:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cavalor.com\/articles\/healthy-weight-starts-with-measuring\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T09:24:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T07:24:32","slug":"healthy-weight-starts-with-measuring","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/cavalor.com\/en-us\/articles\/healthy-weight-starts-with-measuring\/","title":{"rendered":"A healthy weight starts with measuring. Here\u2019s what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight for your horse is essential for its welfare and performance. A horse that is at the right weight has just the right amount of energy, performs at its best, and presents a lower risk of suffering health problems. But what is a good weight exactly? And more importantly, how do you know if your horse is at that weight?<\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Why is a healthy weight important?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Feed as you need\u2019 \u2013 give your horse what it needs; no more, no less. That may sound logical, but in practice it is often difficult to estimate how much feed your horse really needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing up tailored rations always starts with working out how much your horse weighs. You then know how much roughage and how much concentrate feed it needs on a daily basis. If you dispense food based on an incorrect estimate, you may end up giving your horse too little or too much energy \u2013  and that can lead to health problems or a loss of performance over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use measurements to establish the weight<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You can determine your horse\u2019s weight in several ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Use weigh scales. This is the most accurate method.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Use a weighbridge. This is a handy option during transport or when visiting a clinic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Use a measuring tape and formula. If you\u2019ve not got any scales or a weighbridge available, you can estimate your horse\u2019s weight by measuring its girth. Measure your horse\u2019s chest girth and body length and enter the data in the Cavalor Weight Calculator: https:\/\/cavalor.com\/weight-calculator\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    Why are accurate measurements so important?<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    The amount of concentrate feed your horse needs is often expressed as a value per 100kg of body weight. That\u2019s because horses\u2019 body weights can vary significantly. Think, for example, of a small farabella or a large draft horse. They\u2019re both horses, but need different quantities of feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Take a practical example. Suppose you think your horse weighs 500kg, but it actually weighs 600kg. You would then be giving them too little feed when it comes to roughage and concentrate feed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Horse weight<\/strong><\/td>Hay<\/strong><\/td>Cavalor Strucomix Original<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    500kg<\/td>7.5kg<\/td>1.5kg<\/td><\/tr>
    600kg<\/td>9kg<\/td>1.8kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Recommendations for Strucomix Original: We recommend a minimum of 300g to a maximum of 700g per 100kg of body weight per day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A good rule of thumb is to provide at least 1.5% of the horse\u2019s body weight in hay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Weight isn\u2019t everything. Also work out the Body Condition Score<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Although the weight is an important indicator, it doesn\u2019t tell the whole story. A horse can weigh 600kg, for example, look in \u2018good\u2019 condition, and yet still be overweight. That\u2019s why it\u2019s also important to measure the Body Condition Score (BCS). This method assesses the fat covering at six specific areas on the body, including the neck, ribs and tailhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By carrying out regular checks, you can make any adjustments in good time \u2013 and even before a weight loss or gain becomes a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Check out how you can assess your horse\u2019s BCS correctly: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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