Identifying Conditions

 

 

 

 

The following information is just a guideline to scoring body conditions on horses.

   
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A. Along Neck... B. Along the Withers... C. Crease Down Back...
D. Tailhead... E. Ribs... F. Behind Shoulder

Note: scores can be measured to 1/4 point accuracy, such as 5.25. This allows for uneven fat deposit on some horses' bodies, so score each element separately (neck, loin, etc), add the scores and divide by 6, then round to the nearest quarter point.

HENNEKE SCORING REPORT
Condition Neck Withers Loin Tailhead Ribs Shoulder
1
Poor 		Bone structure easily noticeable Bone structure easily noticeable Spinous processes project prominently Tailhead (pinbones) and hook bones projecting prominently Ribs projecting prominently Bone structure easily noticeable
  Animal extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue      
2
Very
Thin		 Faintly discernible Faintly discernible Slight fat covering overbase of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent. Tailhead prominent Ribs prominent Faintly discernible
3
Thin		 Neck accentuated Withers accentuated Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily discernible. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable. Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible. Shoulder accentuated.
4
Moderately
Thin		 Neck not obviously thin Withers not obviously thin Negative crease along back Prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible Faint outline discernible Shoulder not obviously thin
5
Moderate		 Neck blends smoothly into body Withers rounded over spinous processes Back level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt Shoulder blends smoothly into body
6
Moderately
Fleshy		 Fat beginning to be depositted Fat beginning to be deposited May have slight positive crease down back Fat around tailhead feels soft Fat over ribs feels spongy Fat beginning to be deposited
7
Fleshy 		Fat deposited along neck Fat deposited along withers May have positive crease down back Fat around tailhead is soft Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat Fat deposited behind shoulder
8
Fat 		Noticeable thickening of neck Area along withers filled with fat Positive crease down back Tailhead fat very soft Difficult to feel ribs Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body
  Fat deposited along inner buttocks        
9
Extremely
Fat 		Bulging fat Bulging fat Obvious positive crease down back Building fat around tailhead Patchy fat appearing over ribs Bulging fat
  Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush