Horse Body Condition Assessment

Score Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Tailhead Back
1 - Poor
Bone structure easily noticeable Bone structure easily noticeable Bone structure easily noticeable Ribs protruding prominently Back bone projecting prominetly Tailhead, pinbones and hock bones projecting prominently
2 - Very Thin
Bone structure fairly visible Bone structure fairly visible Bone structure fairly visible Ribs prominent Slight fat covering over base of back. Tailhead prominent
3 - Thin
Neck slightly visible Withers slightly visible Shoulder bone slightly visible Slight fat over ribs and ribs easily visible. Fat buildup halfway on back. Traverse processes cannot be felt. Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae can be identified.
4 - Moderately Thin
Neck not obviously thin Withers not obviously thin Shoulder not obviously thin Faint outline of ribs visible Negative crease along back Prominece depends on conformation.
5 - Moderate
Neck blends into body Withers rounded over spinous processes Shoulder blends smoothly into body Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt. Back is level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft
6 - Moderately Fleshy
Fat beginning to be deposited Fat beginning to be deposited Fat beginning to be deposited Fat over ribs feels spongy May have a slight positive crease down back Fat around tailhead feels soft.
7 - Fleshy
Fat deposited along neck. Fat deposited along withers. Fat deposited behind shoulder. Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, nit noticeable fat-filling between ribs. May have a positive crease down the back Fat around tailhead is soft
8 - Fat
Noticeable thickening of neck Area filled with fat Area filled in flush with body. Difficult to feel ribs Positive crease down the back Fat around tailhead is very soft.
9 - Extremely Fat
Bulging fat Bulging fat Bulging fat Patchy fat appearing over ribs. Obvious crease down the back Bulging fat around tailhead

Scoring is based on the Henneke System