Horse Body Condition Score | BCS
Body condition Scoring is based on the Henneke System.
Here's the method of assessment of body condition in horses:
Score- 1 : Poor
Here's the method of assessment of body condition in horses:
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| Horse BCS |
Score- 1 : Poor
Neck: Bone structure easily noticeable.
Withers: Bone structure easily noticeable
Shoulder: Bone structure easily noticeable
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| Body condition score 1 |
Ribs: Ribs protruding prominently
Tail Head: Back bone projecting prominently
Back: Tailhead, pinbones and hock bones projecting prominently
Score-2: Very Thin
Neck: Bone structure fairly noticeable.
Withers: Bone structure fairly noticeable
Shoulder: Bone structure fairly noticeable
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| body condition score 2 |
Ribs: Ribs prominent
Tail Head: Slight fat covering over base of back.
Back: Tail head prominent
Score-3: Thin
Neck: Neck slightly visible
Withers: Withers slightly visible
Shoulder: Shoulder bone slightly visible
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| BCS - 3 |
Ribs: Slight fat over ribs and ribs easily visible.
Tail Head: Fat buildup halfway on back. Traverse processes cannot be felt.
Back: Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae can be identified.
Score-4: Moderately Thin
Neck: Neck not obviously thin
Withers: Withers not obviously thin
Shoulder: Shoulder not obviously thin
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| BCS 4 |
Ribs: Faint outline of ribs visible
Tail Head: Negative crease along back
Back: Prominece depends on conformation.
Score-5: Moderate
Neck: Neck blends into body
Withers: Withers rounded over spinous processes
Shoulder: Shoulder blends smoothly into body
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| BCS 5 |
Ribs: Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt.
Tail Head: Back is level
Back: Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft
Score-6: Moderately fleshy
Neck: Fat beginning to be deposited
Withers: Fat beginning to be deposited
Shoulder: Fat beginning to be deposited
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| BCS 6 |
Ribs: Fat over ribs feels spongy
Tail Head: May have a slight positive crease down back
Back: Fat around tailhead feels soft.
Score-7: Fleshy
Neck: Fat deposited along neck.
Withers: Fat deposited along neck.
Shoulder: Fat deposited behind shoulder.
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| BCS 7 |
Ribs: Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, nit noticeable fat-filling between ribs.
Tail Head: May have a positive crease down the back
Back: Fat around tailhead is soft
Score-8: Fat
Neck: Noticeable thickening of neck
Withers: Area filled with fat
Shoulder: Area filled in flush with body.
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| BCS 8 |
Ribs: Difficult to feel ribs
Tail Head: Positive crease down the back
Back: Fat around tailhead is very soft.
Score-9: Extremely Fat
Neck: Bulging fat
Withers: Bulging fat
Shoulder: Bulging fat
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| BCS 9 |
Ribs: Patchy fat appearing over ribs.
Tail Head: Obvious crease down the back
Back: Bulging fat around tailhead