Published on 01/15/2007

The body condition score is a great way to describe your horse's condition to the vet, a trainer or even a potential buyer. The body condition score system, also called the Henneke System, was developed in 1983 as a standard form of evaluating a horse.

Body Condition Score

The body condition score was developed in 1983 by Texas A&M University. The Henneke System offers a subjective way to evaluate the condition of the horse. The body condition refers to the amount of fat that is distributed on the horse's body. The main areas that are examined in the body condition score include the neck, withers, shoulder, ribs, loins and the tailhead. The amount of fat is easily seen and palpated on the horse. When evaluating the body condition of a horse, you will want to get close to the horse and feel the fat deposits in these areas. You are also able to follow the chart to determine the score of the horse. A horse is able to fall into half ranges in the scoring. This is an excellent way to describe your horse's condition to a vet or trainer or even a prospective buyer if they are knowledgeable of the system.

1. Poor. Animal is extremely emaciated. Spinous

processes (portion of the vertebra of the backbone

which project upward), ribs, tailhead, and bony

protrusions of the pelvic girdle (hooks and pins) are

prominent. Bone structure of withers, shoulders,

and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can

be felt.

2. Very Thin. Animal is emaciated. Slight fat covering

over base of the spinous processes. Transverse

processes (portion of vertebrae which project

outward) of lumbar (loin area) vertebrae feel

rounded. Spinous processes, ribs, shoulders, and

neck structures are faintly discernible.

3. Thin. Fat is built up about halfway on spinous

processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt.

Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and

ribs are easily discernible. Tailhead is prominent,

but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified.

Hook bones (protrusion of pelvic girdle appearing

in upper, forward part of the hip) appear

rounded, but are easily discernible. Pin bones

(bony projections of pelvic girdle located toward

rear, mid-section of the hip) are not distinguishable.

Withers, shoulders, and neck are accentuated.

4. Moderately Thin. Negative crease along back

(spinous processes of vertebrae protrude slightly

above surrounding tissue). Faint outline of ribs is

discernible. Fat can be felt around tailhead (prominence

depends on conformation). Hook bones are

not discernible. Withers, shoulders, and neck are

not obviously thin.

5. Moderate. Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually

distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around

tailhead begins to feel spongy. Withers appear

rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and

neck blend smoothly into body.

6. Moderate to Fleshy. May have slight crease down

back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around

tailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited

along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders,

and along sides of neck.

7. Fleshy. May have crease down back. Individual

ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling of fat

between ribs. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat is

deposited along withers, behind shoulders, and

along neck.

8. Fat. Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat

around tailhead is very soft. Area along withers is

filled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled in flush

with rest of the body. Noticeable thickening of

neck. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks.

9. Extremely fat. Obvious crease down back. Patchy

fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead,

along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck.

Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank

is filled in flush with rest of the body.

This is the exact chart that was developed by Henneke, et.al. at Texas A&M University. The chart has become widely used by all equine professionals across the United States. This is possibly one of the only measurements in the equine industry that has not resulted in complete controversy and has become a standard to be followed. This chart will not necessarily work for ponies and donkeys as they lay their fat in abnormal areas, but is appropriate for all horse breeds.