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Post by IH Health on Jul 31, 2009 12:04:41 GMT 1
Condition Scoring Condition Scoring can be a useful tool in assessing the health of a horse. The images and areas of the body in the descriptions below are shown on this diagram: Image adapted from Henneke D. R., Potter G.D., Kreider J. L. and Yeates B. F., Relationship Between Condition Score, Physical Measurements and Body Fat Percentage in Mares, Equine Veterinary Journal (1983) 15 (4), 371 - 372. The levels of condition are: Condition 0 – VERY POOR – Rump sunken, skin tight over prominent bones, spine and pelvis very prominent, marked ewe neck, very narrow Condition 1 – POOR – Rump sunken, ribs prominent, spine and croup prominent, ewe neck, narrow and slack Condition 2 – THIN – Rump flat on either side of spine. Ribs visible, narrow but firm neck Condition 3 – GOOD – Rump rounded, ribs covered but easy to feel, neck firm, no crest Condition 4 – FAT – Rump too rounded, gutter along the spine, ribs and pelvis difficult to feel Condition 5 – OBESE – Bulging rump with deep gutter along spine, ribs cannot be felt, crest, folds and pads of fat Image adapted from Carroll C.L., and Huntington P. J., Body Condition Scoring and Weight Estimation of Horses, Equine Veterinary Journal (1988) 20 (1), 41 - 45. Good site:Ontario MAFR Please post any actual photos that belong to you of horses with their condition score. So people can get an idea of what it looks like on a real horse!Previous discussionsCondition score photo index
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Post by Zuzan on Jul 31, 2009 12:20:45 GMT 1
Condition score 3 (beach donkey impersonation score 10)
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Post by Catrin on Jul 31, 2009 13:17:33 GMT 1
The WHW body fat guide diagrams are an excellent aid to what you are looking for: unfortunately I can't make it big enough to show the text, so I'll write in below! 0 Emaciated: marked 'ewe' neck narrow and slack at base; skin tight over the ribs which are clearly visible; spinous processes sharp and easily seen; angular pelvis. skin tight, very sunken rump; deep cavity under tail and either side of croup. 1 poor: 'Ewe' neck narrow and slack at base; ribs clearly visible; skin clearly shrunken either side of spine; spinous processes well defined; rump sunken, but skin supple, pelvis and croup well defined, cavity under tail. 2 moderate: Normally ideal for a fit racehorse or eventer. Neck narrow but firm, shoulder blade clearly defined; ribs just visible; spine well covered;; spinous processes felt; rump flat either side of spine, croup well defined, some fat, slight cavity under tail. 3 good: Normallyideal for most show and leisure horses. Firm neck, not crest (except stallions,) shoulder blades defined; ribs just covered, easily felt; no gutter along back; spinous processes covered, but can be felt; pelvis covered by fat and rounded, no gutter, pelvis easily felt. 4 fat: slight crest on neck, wide and firm; ribs well covered; gutter along spine; gutter to root of tail; fat stored either side of the spine to form slight 'apple bottom' with a gutter down the middle; pelvis covered, felt only with firm pressure. 5 obese: marked crest, very wide and firm, folds of at; shoulder blade buried and difficult to feel; ribs buried cannot be felt; deep gutter along spine, back broad and flat; deep gutter to root of tail, producing marked apple bottom, skin distended; pelvis buried, cannot be felt. You can download the WHW body fat guide at the bottom of this page here www.worldhorsewelfare.org/information/right_weight_advice
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Post by Zuzan on Jul 31, 2009 14:40:48 GMT 1
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Post by IH Health on Jul 31, 2009 14:42:41 GMT 1
Thanks Zuzan. Have added it!
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