Mules: Estimating Body Weight

One of the first essential steps in determining the proper feeding program for your mule is to accurately estimate the mules body weight. Most mule owners estimate their mules body weight by the “eye method” which can produce errors up to 20 – 25%. 

Traditionally, weight tapes have been designed for horses. Field studies and research in the Sierra Mountains required our research team to develop a practical method to accurately estimate the body weight of mules. Knowledge of true body weights is obviously useful in determining the proper feeding program. Drugs, de-worming-compounds, feed supplements and additives are also administered on a body-weight basis.

The study consisted of 85 female and 52 male mules, ranging in body weights from 250 to 1,400 pounds. Three commercially available weight tapes were compared to a calibrated livestock scale. The tapes were placed around the heart girth of the mule. The reference point for the heart girth is approximately 4 inches behind the point of elbow. Proper position of the weight tape included the dorsal (top) and ventral (bottom) surfaces of the weight tape being bisected by a line that was perpendicular to the ground.

Each of the commercial weight tapes underestimated the true body weight of the mules. There were no differences between the weight tapes when comparing “Molly Mules” to “John Mules”. However, the degree of differences observed to be greater with the heavier animals when comparing the weight tapes to the actual mules body weights.

Using a Weight Table

In the table below the mules heart-girth circumference measurements were used to develop the weight table. Schematics on the proper use of the strap used to measure circumference are also provided.

Using a non-stretchable material, such as a nylon strap, measure the mule’s heart-girth (inches) and compare the measurement to the corresponding weight provided in the table. Example: If the heart girth circumference was 70 in (inches), then the estimated body weight would be 986 lbs. (pounds). If the heart girth circumference was 73 in, then you would average the weights for 72 and 74 in which would approximate 1,103 lbs. (1,063 + 1,144 = 2,207/2 = 1,103.5).

Estimating Mule’s Body Weight from Heart Girth Circumference