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How quickly should a horse gain weight?

1K views 2 replies 2 participants last post by  BadWolf 
#1 ·
I have a couple of questions related to that and body condition scoring.

I'll just make up a horse to use as an example:
Let's say, at a score of 5, as they should be, the horse weighs 1200lbs.

What would they weigh, approximately, at a score of 4?

What would be the appropriate time frame for the horse to put on that amount of weight?

Same question for an overweight horse -
If 1200lbs is a 5, then what would a 6 or 7 be, and how quickly/slowly should the horse shed that extra weight?

Just trying to learn more about body condition and estimating weight.
Thanks :)
 
#2 ·
Its hard to say. It depends on the horse. Height, weight, bone density.
Eg; an Arab with a body condition of 5 is not going to weigh the same as a stocky Quarter Horse with the same body score...

This should give you a rough idea. It is in kg not lb though and uses the 0-5 scale not the 1-10. :)
Condition Scoring and Weight Estimation - Department of Environment and Primary Industries

If it was my horse that I was trying to get to gain or lose weight I would be happy with it taking 1-2 months to go from a 4 to a 5 and vice versa.
 
#3 ·
That link is EXACTLY what I was looking for on that part of the question.

1-2 months sounds like a reasonable estimate to me - not so fast that it would shock their system, nor too slow that they're in poor condition too long.

Thank you!
 
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