The Healthy Horse app, developed by the University of Minnesota, can assist horse owners in estimating their horses’ bodyweight.
Designed for iPhones and iPads, the app provides information to allow horse owners to assess feeding practices and accurately measure medication doses based off of projected weight.
By entering in the horse’s height, body length, neck and girth circumference, the app can calculate the horse’s estimated bodyweight, ideal bodyweight and bodyweight score.
Bob Coleman, professor and extension horse specialist at the University of Kentucky, says he recommends the Healthy Horse app every time he gives an extension presentation related to horse weight management.
“The app gives me an opportunity to show horse owners a unique way to determine not only an estimate of what their horses weigh, but also an idea as to what the ideal or goal weight of their horses should be,” Coleman says.
The app is divided up by breed type to take into account structural weight differences. It can calculate Arabians, ponies and stock horses. The newer version, scheduled to launch later this year, will feature warmblood horses and draft horses.
“Being able to have the goal weight is a great tool to help in developing a management strategy for horses,” Coleman says. “I have even had a couple of farriers download it for use with clients.”
Since the beginning of the year, the app has exceeded 2,000 downloads across the globe. Horse owners, nutrition professionals and veterinarians can use this information to better manage their horses’ weight.
The app can help horse owners make necessary changes in their feeding practices but should not replace a qualified professional’s recommendation.
The Healthy Horse App is available for $1.99 on the iTunes App Store. 
