Which statement best describes typical weight distribution and center of gravity in relation to the heart girth?

• A. Equal distribution 50-50 with center of gravity at the spine.
• B. 60% on the forehand; center of gravity is the heart girth, slightly forward from the midpoint.
• C. 70% on the forehand; center at the head and neck.
• D. 60% on the hindquarters; center of gravity is at the withers.

Answer: (B)

Weight distribution in a standing or moving horse is typically biased toward the forehand, meaning the front end carries more of the horse’s weight. The center of gravity tends to lie near the heart girth—the chest area just behind the front legs—and is usually slightly forward of the body's midpoint. This combination results in about 60% of the weight on the forehand. The heart girth serves as a practical reference point for locating the CG during assessment and riding tasks, including hippotherapy, where understanding how weight is carried helps with balance and stability for both horse and rider. The other statements misplace the center of gravity or overstate how much weight is in the hindquarters, so they don’t align with typical weight distribution.