SCORING BODY CONDITION (Horse)

The scoring system provides owners with a meaningful way to monitor a horse’s body condition regardless of breed or size. Body condition is scored by evaluating fat cover in the areas of the loin, ribs, tailhead, withers, neck, and shoulders through visual inspection or hands-on palpation. A numerical value from 1 to 9 is assigned based on the deposition of fat in the six areas.

1. POOR
Horse is completely emaciated and no fatty tissue can be palpated. The backbone is prominent and individual vertebrae are easily distinguished. The ribs, tailhead and pelvic girdle are very prominent. Bones of the shoulder, withers and neck are easily noticeable.

2. VERY THIN
The horse is emaciated. There is a slight fat covering over the spinal process and individual vertebrae are still visible. Bones of the withers, shoulders and neck are faintly discernible. The ribs, tailhead and hipbones stand out.

3. THIN
The backbone is prominent but covered with fat to midpoint so vertebrae can not be seen. Ribs are easily seen but covered with a thin layer of fat. Hipbones are rounded, but easily discernible. The tailhead is prominent but individual vertebrae can not be seen. The neck, shoulders and withers are accentuated.

4. MODERATELY THIN
The vertebrae produce a slight ridge along the back. A faint outline of ribs is discernible and the hipbones can not be seen. Fat can be felt around the tailhead. The withers shoulders and neck are not obviously thin.

5. MODERATE
The horse’s back is level. Ribs are not visually distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead begins to feel spongy. The withers look rounded. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into the body.

6. MODERATELY FLESHY
There may be a slight inverted crease along the spine. Fat over the ribs feels spongy and fat around tailhead is soft. Fat begins to deposit along the withers, behind the shoulders and along the neck.

7. FLESHY
Horse may have crease down the spine as fat builds up along the back. Individual ribs can be felt, but there is noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat is deposited along the withers and neck and behind the shoulders.

8. FAT
There is an obvious crease down back. It is difficult to palpate ribs. Fat around tailhead is very soft. The area over withers is filled with fat. There is a noticeable thickening of the neck and the area behind shoulder is filled in flush with body. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks.

9. EXTREMELY FAT
The crease down the back is obvious. Fat appears in the patches over the ribs and there is bulging fat around the tailhead, withers, shoulders and neck. The fat along the inner buttocks may rub together and the flank is filled in flush.