Portable weighbridges help start conversations about equine health

Pictured top: Rehomed Shetland Susie Sioux is weighed as part of her weight management routine.

Keeping horses at a healthy weight can be a challenge for any horse owner, as small changes can be hard to spot when you see your horse every day. Over time, those tiny changes can add up to a big difference in your horse’s health.

Fat scoring and weigh tapes play a vital role in monitoring horses’ weight, but a weighbridge is the only way to know exactly what your horse weighs. That’s why three new portable weighbridges have become such a valuable part of our Field Officers’ toolkit, helping them have practical, supportive conversations with horse owners about their horses’ weight.

Previously, our 16 Field Officers – who cover all of mainland Britain – relied on just four portable weighbridges, which are kept at our rescue and rehoming centres, so access was limited. The addition of three new units – one funded by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and two by a charitable trust – is already helping us reach more horses and owners with evidence-based advice when it is needed most. 

When one of our Field Officers investigates a report about a horse at an unhealthy weight, access to a portable weighbridge can ensure the conversation is a positive one from the start. Being overweight can be as much of a welfare issue for horses as being underweight and monitoring progress back to a healthy weight can support owners to keep up their hard work. Penny Baker, Field Officer for Dorset and Hampshire, explains:  

“Offering to weigh a horse there and then, free of charge, helps build immediate trust with owners and opens the door to meaningful discussions about condition and management. It also naturally supports future visits, as owners usually anticipate that I’ll return to help them track changes in the horse’s weight and condition. It’s really encouraging for owners when they see the number on the weighbridge moving in the right direction as a result of their efforts. Having access to a weighbridge means we can help our rehomers monitor their horse or pony’s weight accurately during routine rehoming visits too.” 

In the north of England, Field Officer Seema Ritson regularly works alongside Cumbria Police. Last year, following a successful bid to a fund managed by Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, a portable weighbridge was purchased for Seema to use for cases in the region. Seema explains:  

“By supplying objective data which can be used in court, weighbridges can provide important evidence in suspected neglect cases and strengthen a case for prosecution. The new weighbridge has already proved to be a valuable tool both for welfare cases and at events such as Appleby Horse Fair. 

“At this year’s fair, as well as providing evidence for potential prosecution cases, the weighbridge enabled us to accurately assess horses we were concerned about and provide precise bodyweights for veterinary treatment. This is critical when administering medications, ensuring horses aren’t underdosed or overdosed.” 

For owners caring for horses every day, changes can be difficult to see, whether the horse is gaining or losing weight. Clear, accurate data makes it easier to monitor progress and know whether a change in management is working. Penny says: 

“We always hope the outcome will be that we’ll be able to track the horse returning to a healthy weight. In a few cases, however, the evidence provided by the weighbridge has shown owners that, sadly, their elderly or unwell horse is only deteriorating, despite their very best efforts. Sometimes a number can start a conversation that words alone cannot.  

“In those cases, the accurate monitoring has given the owner the information they need to be able to make the decision that no horse owner wants to have to make. We always support owners to the very best of our ability, but we know that equine end of life is a particularly tough time and will do whatever we can to help people cope with that.”  

Helping owners care for their horses with confidence is central to our approach. Our free, practical advice on assessing body condition and managing your horse’s weight is available on our ‘Is your horse the right weight’ page.