Body Condition Scoring of Horses

Equine body condition is primarily a function of the balance between a horse’s intake and expenditure of energy and is affected by both external and internal factors. Availability and amount of feed and water, reproductive status, changes in weather, parasite load, performance demands, and dental abnormalities are all factors that may influence the body condition of horses. This system of appraisal is based on the amount and proportion of fat and muscle present on an animal. A numerical value 2 (emaciated) to 8 (very fat) is assigned to horses based on visual appraisal and palpable fat cover at six areas of the horse’s body (Fig. 1). These areas can be described in such detail as to provide the equine appraiser with a visual image for scoring (Table 1). To accurately determine body condition, horsemen must rely on both visual observation (what the horse looks like), and manual palpation (what the horse feels like). The technique of evaluating and quantifying a horse’s body condition is a tool horsemen can use for nutrition and reproduction management decisions.