Horse Scoring

Body Condition evaluations

The following Body Condition evaluations are based on the Henneke Body Scoring System Used by Animal Control & Law Enforcement

Points checked:

  • neck
  • withers
  • shoulder
  • ribs
  • loin
  • tailhead


For an average size horse
Add or Subtract Approx 45 lbs per Score, example:
A 1000 lb Horse that Scores a 5 @
820 lbs=Score 1,  910 lbs=Score 3, 1090 lbs=Score 7

Use 100 lbs +/- per Draft Horse, 20 lbs per Mini

 

 

 

<strong>Body Score 9 - Extremely Fat</strong> - Obvious crease down back Patchy fat appears over ribs Bulging fat deposits around the tailhe <strong>Body Score 8 - Fat</strong> - Horse has crease down back It is difficult to feel the ribs Fat around the tailhead is soft <strong>Body Score 7 - Fleshy</strong> - Horse may have crease down the back Individual ribs can be felt, but there is noticeable filling <strong>Body Score 6 - Moderately Fleshy</strong> - Horse may have a crease down the back Spongy fat can be felt over ribs, fat over tailhead Fa <strong>Body Score 5 - Moderate (Ideal)</strong> - Back is flat & ribs are not visually distinguishable, but can be easily felt Fat around the tail <strong>Body Score 4 - Moderately Thin</strong> - Slight ridge along spine Faint outline of the ribs is visible Fat can be felt around the tai <strong>Body Score 3 - Thin</strong> - Fat buildup about halfway on vertical projection on backbone Vertical projections on backbone & <strong>Body Score 2 - Very Thin</strong> - Horse is emaciated Very little muscle covering the vertical projection on the backbone Spin <strong>Body Score 1 - Poor</strong> - Horse Extremely Emaciated The spine & vertebrae, ribs, tailhead, hip joints & lower pelvic bone

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