weight measuring tapes

[floppy]

Does anyone know how accurate weight measuring tapes are?

and do you just measure with the tape by the girth area or do you have to do some calculation including the leght of the horse etc?

:)

[cvb]

there is a calculation you can use if you just measure with a normal tape. Its been published in some of the UK magazines. If no one else has it, or you can't get it from one of the feed manufacturers, I will see if it is in any of my past copies.

But if you have a "proper" tape, then you should just be able to measure them round the girth area.

They are not 100% accurate, but they give a good indication. Also, if you use the same one the whole time, you can look at relative increases/decreases even if the actual number is not totally right.

The only way to weigh accurately is to use a weigh bridge.

[floppy]

thanks for that :)

i already have a proper one..i just wondered how accurate they were. :)
just wanted to check on that to make sure that my horse really has lost weight and i wasnt imagining things or doing it wrong

[Wally]

Be careful with things like Shetlands and Icelandics as their proportions are not the same as ordinary horses!

Shetlands have BIG barrels and gith measurements but are short in stature, the weight band will not give an accurate indication.

Trust your eye and instincts, quantifying things liike that are best left to old fashioned measures!

[floppy]

didnt think of that wally.

my eyes arent so good.
I can see it that elja is loosing weight and building muscle. (i aso took loads of pictures of her from all directions when i first got her.) So these measuring tape thingies are only really good for the 'normal horse'...

[tasha]

I got a tape at Badminton from Dodson and Horrell. It's got 1 side for ponies, and the other side for horses. So far we've just weighed Kahlua and Talitha, and I was wondering if their weights are good or bad.

Kally (15.2h TB) 496kg
Talitha (14.3hh ArabX) 402kg

I imagine they are slightly underweight (Talitha more so) but I was just wondering.

[floppy]

my icey weighs 350kgs according to the tape and my friend said that was about right.

[Miriam]

Rhi is 14.1hh and should be in the 400 mark if that is any help Tasha. Most bags of feed give an indication of weight for the height of the horse. Rhi needs to loose some more weight as she is 510 yet does not look very obese for it. So as Wally says use your eyes also. You should just be able to feel the ribs under the coat.

[Equitating]

Ribs?? My horse has ribs????

LOL

[Maria]

And there was me thinking I was the only person who had a horse with no ribs - well at least not any I've ever felt or seen! I was sure I'd been sold a dud horse.

I have to confess that last time I put a weigh tape round my chunky cob she went off the conversion scale! Guess who's on a diet now!

I just use the tape to give a rough idea of weight and then keep an eye on relative changes. 203 cm (just under 600 kg) is the lowest we've ever got down to - and she could probably do to be a bit lighter than that. She's around 15.1 hh but she's a heavyweight cob so she has some excuse. Just wish she was that at the moment. She's got a big fat tummy and a very heart shaped bottom but her tubby shoulders are beginning to look more toned.

Don't forget to measure at the same time of day on say a weekly basis. And make sure you measure in the same way each time.

Maria

[sozzie]

Incase anyone is interested a formula for calculating weight is:

weight (lb) = girth squared (inches) x length* (inches) divided by 300.

to convert from pounds to kilograms multiply by 0.45.

*the length is from point of sholder to poiny of buttock.

haven't tried it this way though.

[Miriam]

Eqitating and Maria I know what you mean Rhi does not seem to have any ribs either. I am sure they are there somewhere though. :)