Enter our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways here!
SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100

Video: Horse Body Condition Scoring

How do you know if your horse is too fat, too thin, or just right? The Henneke Body Condition Score (BCS) system assigns a value from 1 (extremely emaciated) to 9 (extremely obese). Most horses are considered healthy at a score of 4 to 7. Watch the video below to find out how to judge a horse’s body condition.





 

1. Poor: Extremely emaciated; bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck easily noticeable; no fatty tissue can be felt

2. Very Thin: Emaciated; withers, shoulders and neck bone structure faintly discernible

3. Thin: Slight fat layer over ribs but ribs easily discernible; withers, shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body

4. Moderately Thin: Faint outline of ribs discernible; withers, shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body

5. Moderate: Back has no crease or ridge; ribs not visually distinguishable but easily felt

6. Moderately Fleshy: May have slight crease down back; fat over ribs spongy; beginning of fat deposits along the side of the withers, behind shoulders and along sides of neck

7. Fleshy: May have crease down back; individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat; fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders and along neck.

8. Fat: Crease down back; difficult to feel ribs; areas along withers and behind shoulders filled with fat; fat deposited along inner thighs

9. Extremely Fat: Obvious crease down back; patchy fat appearing over ribs; bulging fat along withers, behind shoulders, along neck; flank filled in with fat.

 

 

Holly Caccamise

Holly Caccamise has been with Horse Illustrated and Young Rider magazines since 2007, and in 2019, she became Editor in Chief of both titles. Caccamise has a master's degree in Animal Science with a specialization in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. She has also worked as a racing magazine ad copywriter and top-level show groom.

View Comments

Recent Posts

Synchrony’s CareCredit Marks Nearly 20 Years with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Stamford, Conn. — Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), a leading consumer financial services company, on November 18 highlighted its nearly two-decade partnership…

1 day ago

Haven Pines: A Family Sleigh Ride Business

Tucked into the forests of northern Wisconsin is a family-owned and operated homestead known as Haven Pines. Run by Erin…

3 days ago

Shop Small Business Saturday: Equestrian Edition

It’s holiday shopping season and I’ve spent the last few months searching for unique or useful equestrian gifts. I’m so…

6 days ago

Choosing the Right Hay Type

Timothy, orchard grass, alfalfa, fescue, clover—so many hay types! What’s the right type of hay to choose in your particular…

7 days ago

Thrush Season Is Upon Us.

As horse owners, you know it’s time for that stinky, white crumbly grossness that comes with thrush - and even…

1 week ago

ASPCA Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week: Hazel

Welcome to Horse Illustrated’s weekly installment of the Right Horse Adoptable Horse of the Week, offered in partnership with the…

1 week ago