1. Body Condition Scoring of Horses
Horses are scored on a scale of
1-9
Poor to Extremely Fat

2. 1 – Poor
Indicated by a prominent back bone and protruding hook and pin bones

3. 2 – Very Thin Appear emaciated
Have very little but some covering over neck and ribs

4. 3 - Thin
Thin fat covering
Has some covering over the spine and ribs

5. 4 – Moderately Thin
Slight ridge along the back
Can see ribs faintly

6. 5 - Moderate Back is flat Moderately conditioned
Ribs can be felt but not seen

7. 6 – Moderate to Fleshy Fat over ribs feel spongy
Fat around tailhead is soft
Fat is appearing around withers

8. 7 - Fleshy Fat deposited along neck and withers and behind shoulder.
Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling between ribs.
Fat around tailhead feels soft.

9. 8 - Fat Under worked horse that gets little exercise Extremely fat
Noticeable thickening of neck

10. 9 – Extremely Fat Bulging fat along neck, shoulders and withers
Flank is filled
in flush