| The body condition score was developed in 1983 | | | | slightlyabove surrounding tissue). Faint outline of |
| by Texas A&M University. The Henneke | | | | ribs isdiscernible. Fat can be felt around tailhead |
| System offers a subjective way to evaluate the | | | | (prominencedepends on conformation). Hook |
| condition of the horse. The body condition refers | | | | bones arenot discernible. Withers, shoulders, and |
| to the amount of fat that is distributed on the | | | | neck arenot obviously thin. |
| horse's body. The main areas that are examined | | | | 5. Moderate. Back is level. Ribs cannot be |
| in the body condition score include the neck, | | | | visuallydistinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat |
| withers, shoulder, ribs, loins and the tailhead. | | | | aroundtailhead begins to feel spongy. Withers |
| The amount of fat is easily seen and palpated on | | | | appearrounded over spinous processes. Shoulders |
| the horse. When evaluating the body condition of | | | | andneck blend smoothly into body. |
| a horse, you will want to get close to the horse | | | | 6. Moderate to Fleshy. May have slight crease |
| and feel the fat deposits in these areas. You are | | | | downback. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat |
| also able to follow the chart to determine the | | | | aroundtailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be |
| score of the horse. A horse is able to fall into half | | | | depositedalong the sides of the withers, behind |
| ranges in the scoring. This is an excellent way to | | | | the shoulders,and along sides of neck. |
| describe your horse's condition to a vet or trainer | | | | 7. Fleshy. May have crease down back. |
| or even a prospective buyer if they are | | | | Individualribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling |
| knowledgeable of the system. | | | | of fatbetween ribs. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat |
| 1. Poor. Animal is extremely emaciated. | | | | isdeposited along withers, behind shoulders, |
| Spinousprocesses (portion of the vertebra of the | | | | andalong neck. |
| backbonewhich project upward), ribs, tailhead, and | | | | 8. Fat. Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. |
| bonyprotrusions of the pelvic girdle (hooks and | | | | Fataround tailhead is very soft. Area along withers |
| pins) areprominent. Bone structure of withers, | | | | isfilled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled in |
| shoulders,and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty | | | | flushwith rest of the body. Noticeable thickening |
| tissues canbe felt. | | | | ofneck. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks. |
| 2. Very Thin. Animal is emaciated. Slight fat | | | | 9. Extremely fat. Obvious crease down back. |
| coveringover base of the spinous processes. | | | | Patchyfat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around |
| Transverseprocesses (portion of vertebrae which | | | | tailhead,along withers, behind shoulders, and along |
| projectoutward) of lumbar (loin area) vertebrae | | | | neck. |
| feelrounded. Spinous processes, ribs, shoulders, | | | | Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flankis |
| andneck structures are faintly discernible. | | | | filled in flush with rest of the body. |
| 3. Thin. Fat is built up about halfway on | | | | This is the exact chart that was developed by |
| spinousprocesses. Transverse processes cannot | | | | Henneke, et.al. at Texas A&M University. The |
| be felt. | | | | chart has become widely used by all equine |
| Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes | | | | professionals across the United States. This is |
| andribs are easily discernible. Tailhead is | | | | possibly one of the only measurements in the |
| prominent,but individual vertebrae cannot be | | | | equine industry that has not resulted in complete |
| visually identified. | | | | controversy and has become a standard to be |
| Hook bones (protrusion of pelvic girdle appearingin | | | | followed. This chart will not necessarily work for |
| upper, forward part of the hip) appearrounded, | | | | ponies and donkeys as they lay their fat in |
| but are easily discernible. Pin bones | | | | abnormal areas, but is appropriate for all horse |
| (bony projections of pelvic girdle located | | | | breeds. |
| towardrear, mid-section of the hip) are not | | | | For more great information and a fabulous |
| distinguishable. | | | | growing equine community please visit our |
| Withers, shoulders, and neck are accentuated. | | | | resource links below. We will leave the barn door |
| 4. Moderately Thin. Negative crease along back | | | | open for you! Hope to see you soon. |
| (spinous processes of vertebrae protrude | | | | |