Body Weight Conditioning Test
A body-conditioning test will help the horse owner to
determine what stage their horse is at according to the
body weight chart. And by completing the test, a First
Place Feed consultant can help you find the correct
feed that will assist your horse with its developmental
progress.
ASSIGNING SCORES: RECOMMENDATIONS
Scoring is based on visual appraisal and han Scoring is based on visual appraisal and handling
(particularly in scoring horses with long hair) of horses.
Conformation differences between breeds or types do not
affect scoring when all criteria are applied. Muscle tone affect scoring when all criteria are applied. Scores can be assigned should not be confused with fatness.
Henneke et al Texas A&M 1983
1. POOR
Animal extremely emaciated. Spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, hooks and
pins projecting prominently. Bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck
are easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can be felt.
2. VERY THIN
Animal emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes,
transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes,
ribs, tailhead, hooks and pins prominent. Withers, shoulders, and neck
structure faintly discernable.
3. THIN
Fat build-up about halfway on spinous processes, transverse processes
cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs easily
discernable. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be
identified visually. Hook bones appear rounded but easily discernable.
Pin bones not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders, and neck accentuated.
4. MODERATELY THIN
Slight ridge along back. Faint outline of ribs discernable. Tailhead
prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it. Hook
bones not discernable. Withers, shoulders, and neck not obviously thin.
5. MODERATE
Back is flat (no crease or ridge). Ribs cannot be visually distinguishable but
easily felt. Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy. Withers appear
rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into
body.
6. MODERATE TO FLESHY
May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs is fl eshy or feels spongy.
Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat beginning to be deposited along sides of
withers, behind shoulders, and along sides of neck.
7. FLESHY
May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling
between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead soft. Fat deposited along withers,
behind shoulders, and along neck.
8. FAT
Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead is very soft. Area
along withers filled with fat. Area behind shoulder filled with fat. Noticeable
thickening of neck. Fat deposited along inner thighs.
9. EXTREMELY FAT
Obvious crease down the back. Patches of fat appearing over ribs.
Noticeable fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along
neck. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush.
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