Equine body condition scoring

Score 1

Poor, horse is extremely emaciated, the spine, ribs, vertebrae, tailhead, hip joints, and lower pelvic bones project prominently. Bone structure or withers, shoulders, neck are easily noticeable. Not fatty tissue can be felt

Score 2

Very thin, horse is emaciated, very little muscle covering the vertical projection on the backbone. spine, vertebrae, ribs, tailhead, hip joints and lower pelvic bones are prominent. Withers, shoulders, and neck structure are faintly discernible

Score 3

thin, fat buildup about halfway on vertical projection on backbone. Vertical projections on backbone and ribs are easily visible. Slight fat cover over ribs. Tailhead is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be identified visually. Hip joints appear round but easily visible, lower pelvic bones not distinguishable, withers, shoulders and neck are accentuated

Score 4

Moderately thin, slight ride along spine, faint outline of the ribs is visible. Fat can be felt around the tailhead prominence. Hip joints are not visible, withers, withers, shoulders, and neck are not obviously thin

Score 5

Moderate, back is flat and ribs are not visually distinguishable, but can be easily felt. Fat around the tailhead feels spongy. withers appear rounded over the vertical projections on backbones. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into the body

Score 6

Moderately fleshy, horse may have a crease down the back. Spongy fat can be felt over ribs, fat over tailhead. Fat deposits are developing along side the withers, behind the shoulders and along the crest of the neck.

Score 7

Fleshy, horse may have crease down the back. Individaul ribs can be felt, but there is noticeable filling between the ribs with fat. Fat around the tailhead is soft. Fat is deposited along the withers, behind the shoulders and along the crest of the neck

Score 8

Fat, horse has a crease down back, it's difficult to feel the ribs. Fat around the tailhead is soft, areas along withers and behind the shoulders are filled with fat. Noticeable thickening of the neck. Fat deposited along the inner thighs.

Score 9

Extremely fat, obvious crease down back, patchy fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat deposits around the tailhead, along the withers, behind the shoulders and along the neck. Fat deposits along inner thighs may rub together, flank is full of fat.