The weighing of horses has become a big trend in the horse world since the invention of horse races and competitions. Most trainers have managed to invest in weighing scales and weight calculators for training purposes. The weight of a horse will definitely determine the distance a certain horse is probably going to cover in a race. How much does a race horse weigh? When talking about racing horses’ weights, we have the thoroughbreds, Arabians, Quarter horses, and Standardbreds which averagely have a weight of 1000 pounds. The Arabian seems to have the least weight amongst the four speed-gods. It weighs around 900 pounds. The weight might also be hindered by the difference in gender.
Before we look into the average weight of different racing horse breeds across the globe, we’re going to go through the weight of a baby horse when it’s born. Moreover, we’ll look at a few factors that may significantly alter the average weight of your horse. Let’s get to it!
Read: How Much Does a Baby Horse Weigh?
What’s the Weight of a Foal?
During the growth and development process of horses, they get to undergo various weight stages. Firstly, the first weight record made in a horse’s life is during birth when the horse is still a foal. When foals are born they are usually around 10% of their parent’s weight. For example, a newly born thoroughbred horse from a 1000lbs mother will probably weigh 100lbs. The time of birth is a very key factor when it comes to the size and weight of a foal. The gestation period for horses is usually 340 days. Any baby horses born earlier before the gestation period is mature will obviously weigh less even though their weight increases with time.
How to Weigh Horses
Horse owners and stablemen usually use livestock scales to determine the weight of a horse. Hereby, the horses are supposed to walk on the livestock scale which estimates the approximate weight of the stallion. A horse owner can buy a livestock weighing machine from the local store at a price of €650 or even more dependent on the brand and its efficiency.
However, many people find horse weighing machines to be very expensive thus seeking alternative approaches that can help you estimate the approximate weight of your racing stallion. Others decide to go for public weighbridges whereby they put the horse on a trailer, measure the total weight (horse+trailer) first; then measure the trailer without the horse. Subtracting the weight of the trailer from the total weight will give you the approximate weight of your horse.
Using horse weighing machines
The sales of weighing machines have rapidly risen recently since they have become popular in the thoroughbred industry. Stud farms use weighing machines to weigh newborn foals as soon as they are born and racing stallions as well. Vets also use these machines to keep track of their patients’/sick horses’ weight. Trainers have proven to use this equipment the most since they have to track the subject’s weight from the start of training until when it’s over and the race competition draws closer. Therefore, weighing machines are likely to produce the perfect answer for the frequently asked question by horse enthusiasts, ‘How much does a race horse weigh?’ Let’s have a look at the various breeds suitable for horse racing and their specific weight class as well.
How Much Does a Race horse Weigh?
Thoroughbreds
This racing horse breed is strongly built with an athletic physique which gives it an upper hand during races and competitions. The thoroughbred weighs between 1000 and 1100lbs. This racehorse grows to a height of 14 to 16 hands (around 64 inches). This horse breed has an amazing balance and strong muscles which are a clear explanation for its outstanding speed and endurance. However, the thoroughbred’s weight can change from time to time as it grows due to factors like diet, the horse’s age, its diet, and even the amount of training it’s been exposed to. Its broad chest, powerful muscles, and long strong legs make it suitable for racing since it has all it takes to conquer a horse race.
Quarter horses
When identifying different horse breeds and their sizes, horse owners usually go for the height and weight. These factors define different horses clearly since most breeds vary in height, weight, and color as well. There are quite a number of factors that can affect your horse’s weight namely: the horse’s gender, its age, size of hoofs, and the type of diet you feed to your horse. An average quarter horse usually weighs between 900-1100 lbs.
Standardbreds
This Western racehorse has become popular for racing competitions and other sports as well. Standardbreds can grow to a maximum height of 17 hands and their overall weight usually ranges between 900 and 1100 pounds. Standardbreds racing at 2 miles or even more usually go up to 1200 whopping pounds.
Arabians
The weight of an average full-grown Arabian horse ranges from 800-1000 pounds. However, Americans barely engage Arabian racehorses in racing competitions as compared to Arabian countries. This horse breed is adapted to competing in long races due to its unmatched level of endurance rather than speed.
How to Manage a Racehorse Weight
To manage your stallion’s weight for the upcoming competition event or race, you’ll have to keep an eye on two crucial factors i.e. diet and exercise. There are a number of training exercises recommended for a racing horse. You’re recommended to include a walker and even a swimming pool apart from just the gallop to maintain your horse’s weight. If you’re looking forward to increasing your horse’s weight, its diet should be rich in high protein content.
Before we draw the curtains, we believe you don’t have to worry anymore about ‘How much does a race horse weigh?’ since we’ve provided all the answers in the text above. You can acquire various equipment and tools that will help you determine the weight of your horse regardless of if it’s a foal or full-grown stallion.
