Mobile app updated to estimate horse bodyweight

University of Minnesota faculty launches updated, first-of-its-kind mobile app.

In 2014, Dr. Krishona Martinson of the University of Minnesota department of animal science led a team to develop Healthy Horse, the first for-profit mobile app sold by the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

Martinson’s team recently launched an updated version featuring new visuals, additional horse breed types and options to use the app in Spanish and with metric units, the university announced. The app also includes links to new articles on managing thin and overweight horses.

According to the announcement, Healthy Horse helps horse owners and professionals estimate horse bodyweight based on research-backed equations. To use the app, users select an equine breed type and enter the equine's height, body length, neck and girth circumference, which then estimates the horse’s bodyweight and ideal bodyweight.

Martinson said determining a horse’s bodyweight is important for feeding management, health maintenance and medication administration.

Sponsored by Purina, the app is available for IOS and Android devices.