How to score the body condition of a horse

Learning how to score your horse’s body condition is essential. It will help you ensure that your horse is healthy and receiving the proper care.

A horse’s body condition is measured on a scale from 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat). The ideal score is usually between 5 and 6, although this may vary depending on the horse’s stage of life. For example, a broodmare will ideally be fatter during pregnancy and lactation (6 to 6.5 out of 9), and a growing foal will be thinner (4.5 to 5 out of 9).

What to look for when scoring body condition

To make an objective assessment of your horse’s body condition, you should look at and feel the withers, behind the shoulder, loin, ribs, and tailhead. You can also look at your horse from behind.

Body condition scoring

Use the following scoring chart to determine if your horse is too thin, too fat, or healthy.

If your horse is over- or underweight, you should review its training program, the amount of feed that it is receiving, and the balance of its ration.

References:

• Don Henneke, Don Henneke Scoring System Bob Wright
• “Body condition scoring of horses,” AGDEX 460/28, OMAFRA, Ontario
• The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Equine Facts, Bulletin #1010
• Purdue University, Animal Sciences Horses, Bulletin AS-552-W, 10/02
• Cooperative Research Farms, “Better nutrition for a better horse,” 2009