When doing consults on the farm, there are several items that we feel should be found in every barn/feed room…
1) Kitchen Scale – One should feed by weight not volume. So unfortunately, a feed scoop is not an accurate measurement for feed. Ideally it would be good to have a kitchen scale that can weigh in grams, pounds, and kilograms. Having a kitchen scale that can weigh in these units is very useful for weighing out new feed products. Then you can mark your feed scoops to ensure that you always provide the same amount at each feeding.
2) Measuring Tape or Weigh Tape – Feeding rates are based on body weight, not to mention that you need a simple way to monitor body weight changes. A fabric measuring tape that is at least 120 inches in length is a great tool for monitoring body weight. Just know that measuring tapes are not as accurate as a livestock scale. Although they tend to be more accurate at determining body weight than the popular equine weigh tapes, which generally underestimate body weight, especially for heavier horses.
To get a weight on your horse using a soft measuring tape, you need to measure the following:
Heart Girth - Measure around the horse’s girth by placing tape across the highest part of the withers and keeping the tape as close behind the elbows as possible. Measure in inches.
Body Length - Use two people to measure from the point of the shoulder, straight back along the horse’s side to the point of the buttock or crease. Measure in inches.
Then use one of the following formulas:
Adult Horse: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 330 = Bodyweight in pounds
Yearling: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 301 = Bodyweight in pounds
Weanling: (Heart Girth x Heart Girth x Body Length) ÷ 280 = Bodyweight in pounds
3) Fish or Luggage Scale – Either is a good option for weighing out hay, which should also be fed based on body weight. Both can be purchased very affordably from Amazon. Since the forage portion generally makes up the majority of the equine diet, its useful to know how much they should be getting and then confirm with the fish and/or luggage scale to be sure they are, in fact, getting that predetermined amount each day.
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