Management
Weighing your horse without a scale — weigh tape and BCS explained
You don't need a horse weighing scale to properly monitor your horse's weight and condition. A weigh tape + Body Condition Score (BCS) gives you 90% of the insight you need.
Published: 3/28/2026
EquiSight Editorial
Redactie · EquiSight · SaFleu Equestrian Centre BV
The weigh tape
Measure the girth circumference just behind the withers. The weigh tape shows the estimated weight. Measuring monthly gives you a trend — and that trend is more important than exact kilograms.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
- BCS 1 — very thin (ribs + hip bones sharply visible)
- BCS 5 — ideal (ribs just not visible, but easily felt)
- BCS 7 — overweight (ribs difficult to feel, fat deposits)
- BCS 9 — obese (rolls of fat, fat around tail head)
Combine both methods
A weigh tape reading can remain stable while a horse shifts from muscle to fat. BCS adds the visual check. EquiSight links both to a trend graph.