Body condition scoring is a management tool designed to assess body reserves or fat accumulation of an animal. It is a great method for critically examining the nutritional status of your herd. Body condition scoring is a hands-on assessment that uses a numerical rating system based on the feel of the animal rather than descriptions based simply on a visual appraisal. In the winter, it is more effective to implement hands-on body condition scoring versus visual scoring, as winter hair coats can often hide visual cues that only hands-on scoring can assess. Condition scores are measured by feeling for fat cover with your hands. Fat cover is measured over four major locations on the animal's body: back bone (spine or topline), short ribs, hip bones (hooks and pins) and tail head on a scale of one to five. A five-point scale is used when scoring cattle, small ruminants, swine and elk. A score of one is assigned to an extremely skinny or emaciated animal, and a score of five is assigned to an extremely fat or obese animal. Horses are typically scored using a nine-point scale, instead. Where To Condition Score: Because there is no muscle between the end of the short ribs and the skin, any padding felt by the thumb will be fat. There are two main areas to check to determine condition score: the short ribs and on either side of the tail head. The tail or pin bones can also be checked to determine fat cover. The body condition of horses based on the degree of fat cover is a good indicator of a horse’s general health. The body condition score (BCS) allows one to access if the horse is too thin, too fat, or about right. Horses are scored on a scale from 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat) in six areas where they deposit fat – neck, withers, spinous processes (part of back vertebrae that project upwards) and transverse processes (portion of vertebrae that projects outward), tail head, ribs, and behind the shoulder. The subjective assessment is based on visual and physical (palpation) of the specified body regions including the hooks (tuber coxae and hip joints) and pins (tuber ischia and lower pelvic bones). Comparisons of relative adiposity can be made within or between horses. Categorization of body condition as underweight (BCS ≤ 3, 1–9-point scale), moderate (BCS 4–6), overweight (BCS ≥ 7) or obese (BCS ≥ 8) can be used as an aid in the management of body condition for optimal health and performance Advantages of the body condition score are Integration of all body areas Easy to perform Allows for classification of horses into underweight, overweight, or obese categories Cutoff values available to imply risk for disease Disadvantages of the body condition score are The method only assesses subcutaneous fat Bias between evaluators may influence results The score can be influenced by coat length, gut fill, muscle mass, pregnancy, etc. The score may not be comparable between different breeds or body types BCS is very important in Farm Animal evalution.

1. Body condition scores of horses
Presented by
Dr. Subhrajit das.
B.V.SC & AH, CAU, Mizoram
M.V.Sc (LPM), DSVCKV, Chattisgarh

2. Introduction
Body condition scoring(BCS)is a universal way to determine
the current condition of your Animal.
This evaluation tool can help horse owners, breeders, and
managers to maintain proper nutrition practices to keep horses at
peak performance and optimum health.
The system is based on both visual appraisal and palpable fat
cover of the six major points of the horse Figure 1.
Scores range from 1 to 9 with one being poor and nine being
extremely fat.(The Henneke horse body condition scoring
system)
While low BCS is certainly a problem, it is important to note that
high BCS may pose problems too .The ideal range for most horses
is from 4 to 6.

3. Figure 1

4. Contd....
However, assigning a BCS to a horse is not foolproof .To avoid
as much error as possible while assigning a BCS is to use your
hands to feel the 6 major areas of the horse.
Additionally, reading the definitions of each BCS will improve
accuracy of the scores assigned to the horse.
Definition of each score does not fit all horses,because
variation may exist on fat deposition from horse to horse.This is
the reason that sometimes we use half-points when scoring
(5½, 6½, etc.)

5. So how we can change the BCS of horse?
The simple answer is to increase or decrease the digestible
energy of the diet the horse is eating.
The complex part is determining how much to increase or
decrease.
Horse owners should start by increasing or decreasing
horses’ diets gradually and assessing body condition every
3–4 weeks until the desired results are seen.

6. Condition score 1-poor
The spinous processes show no fat cover ,are very
prominent and sharp .
The ribs and bone structure are visible with no fat
cover .
The tail head is very prominent .
There is severe muscle loss in the shoulder, loin, and
hind regions.

7. BCS 1

8. Condition score 2-Very Thin
There is more fat cover over the ribs and backbone, but
space is still visible between the vertebra.
The tail head is less prominent .
There is still muscle loss.

9. Condition score 3-Thin
The spinous processes are still visible, but less sharp.
There is less space between the vertebra.
More fat cover along the entire backbone.
The loin muscle has more depth, but there is no
obvious fat cover .
There is only slight muscle loss.

10. BCS 3

11. Condition score 4-Moderatey Thin
There are no spaces between the vertebra .
The spinous processes are no longer visible, but can be
palpated with little pressure.
The last 2 to 4 ribs and the hipbones are still visible.
Fat covers the loin and shoulder, and the animal has
no muscle loss.

12. BCS 4

13. Condition score 5-Moderate
There is just the right amount of fat cover over the
shoulders, ribs, loin, and tail head .
The spinous processes can be palpated with a little
pressure.
Only the last two ribs are visible .
The loin is filled.
There is little fat in the brisket and over the hooks and
pins.

14. BCS 5

15. Condition score 6 -Moderately Fleshy
The spine is palpated with moderate pressure, the
hindquarters have become slightly rounded.
There is visible fat in the brisket and around the tail
head .
All ribs, the loins, shoulders, and fore ribs are covered
with fat.

16. BCS 6

17. Condition score 7-Fleshy
The entire animal appears smooth.
The spine can be felt with significant pressure.
There is fat that fills the brisket, flanks, and tail head.
 There is more fat cover over the shoulder, loins, and
fore ribs.

18. BCS 7

19. Condition score 8-Fat
The animal appears square.
The tail head is embedded in fat, and the flanks and
brisket appear to be full.

20. BCS 8

21. Condition score 9-Extremely Fat
There is no visible bone structure or definition in the
muscles.
The spine cannot be felt.
The brisket is filled with fat , and the neck appears
shorter due to the deposition of fat.
 The loin, hip, and tail head have a rippled look due to
the excess fat.

22. The first place to look when assessing a horse’s body condition
score (BCS) is the ribcage.If ribs are easily seen, the horse will have
a score below a 5. If you cannot see the ribs, then the score should
be a 5 or above.
By score 5, the ribs will no longer be visible, but can be easily felt.
Once the body condition score is above 7, the ribs become more
difficult to feel.
Ribs

23. Shoulder
A BCS of 5 means the shoulder blends smoothly with the body.
At increasing condition scores, fat is deposited behind the
shoulder and becomes bulging.. The shoulder’s bony
structures will become more visible as the scores drop below
5.

24. Withers
If a horse is very thin, no fat will be deposited between the top of
the shoulder blade and the spinal vertebrae,. As the horse’s
condition score increases, fat fills in between the top of the
shoulder blade and spinal vertebrae; so, at a condition score of 5,
the withers will appear rounded. As horses approach the higher
score, the withers will be bulging with fat.

25. Loin
At a condition score of 5, the loin area will be relatively level-the
spine is not sticking up, nor is there a dent or crease along the
spine. At condition scores below 5, the spine starts to become
prominent; this is sometimes called a “negative crease.”. As the
condition score increases above a 5, fat begins to build up on
either side of the spine and a visible crease starts to appear.

26. Tailhead
In a very thin horse, the tailhead is prominent and easily
discernible. Once the horse starts gaining weight, fat fills in
around the tailhead. As the condition score exceeds 7, the fat
will feel soft and begin to bulge.

27. Neck
In a very thin horse, you might be able to see the neck’s
bony structures. As the horse gains condition, fat will
be deposited on the top of the neck. At a condition
score of 5, the neck blends smoothly into the body.
Body condition scores of 8 and 9 are characterized by a
neck that is thick all around with fat evident at the
crest.

28. Uses of Body Condition Scoring (BCS)
BCS is a scientific method of evaluating a horse’s body
condition regardless of breed, body type, sex or age
To evaluate the health and nutritional status of
animal.
BCS helps to optimize production.
BCS is the most important management practice used
by producer.
The system is used by law enforcement agencies in
horse cruelty cases.

29. Conclusion
While low BCS is certainly a problem, it is
important to note that high BCS may also poses
problems.For example, if you are maintaining your
horse at a BCS 4 and trying to use the horse in an
athletic setting, you may not see the same performance
as you would if the horse had greater body fat.

30. Thank You
To contact
drdasacademy@gmail.com