Body condition scoring is a method of practically assessing the horse or pony’s level of fat covering across several areas of the body where fat is normally laid down. Follow our guide to assess by eye and by touch using a numerical grading system. We recommend using the 1-9 scale based on the method developed by Henneke et al (1993).
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Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is emaciated. Seek immediate advice from your vet in the first instance followed by a nutritionist.
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is very underweight. Seek advice from your vet and a nutritionist as a matter of urgency.
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is underweight. It is advisable to seek advice from your vet and/or a nutritionist
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony may be underweight. If he/she is losing weight rapidly or continues to lose weight, it is advisable to seek advice from your vet or a nutritionist.
Based on the information you have provided, your horse or pony is at an acceptable condition. Continue to monitor his/her weight by condition scoring regularly to help maintain this.
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is at an acceptable condition. However, if your horse or pony is prone to laminitis it is advisable to aim for a BCI of 5. It is common for native types to reach a BCI of 6 in summer months but if your horse or pony is continuing to gain weight think about dietary adjustment. It may be advisable to have poor-doers at a BCI of 6 going into the winter.
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is carrying some excess condition. It may be advisable to adjust his/her diet which may include some level of pasture restriction.
Based on the information you have provided your horse is carrying excess condition. It is advisable that you adjust his/her diet which may include some level of pasture restriction. A nutritionist will be able to offer more advice on this.
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is overweight. Seek advice from a nutritionist and possibly your vet on how to reduce his/her BCI
Based on the information you have provided your horse or pony is extremely overweight/obese. You should seek advice from your vet and a nutritionist as a matter of urgency.
Contact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 for further dietary advice.
Contact usContact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 for further dietary advice.
Contact usContact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 or email the team careline@spillers-feeds.com for further dietary advice.
Contact usWould you like a nutritionist to visit your yard to accurately assess your horse’s diet and condition? Contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line to book your visit or to seek further advice on 01908 226626.
Contact usWould you like a nutritionist to visit your yard to accurately assess your horse’s diet and condition? Contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line to book your visit or to seek further advice on 01908 226626.
Contact usWould you like a nutritionist to visit your yard to accurately assess your horse’s diet and condition? Contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line to book your visit or to seek further advice on 01908 226626.
Contact usWould you like a nutritionist to visit your yard to accurately assess your horse’s diet and condition? Contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line to book your visit or to seek further advice on 01908 226626.
Contact usContact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 or email the team careline@spillers-feeds.com for further dietary advice.
Contact usContact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 for further dietary advice.
Contact usContact a SPILLERS® Nutritionist on 01908 226626 for further dietary advice.
Contact us
It’s a more objective method of assessing body fat, similar to the Body Mass Index (BMI) used in humans. The BCI uses a mathematical equation to calculate a score between 1 and 9 using four body measurements. The BCI may be useful when body condition is monitored by more than one person or by those less familiar with body condition scoring.
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Neck Circumference: Midpoint of Neck.
Heart Girth: Slight angle behind shoulder.
Belly Girth: Widest point of belly.
Height to withers: Please avoid following the contour of the horse's body for a more accurate result.
Very Poor: No fatty tissue can be felt on neck or withers; bone structure on neck, withers and shoulder easily seen; individual vertebrae and ribs visible; tailhead and spinal processes very prominent; hips prominent.
Very Thin: Minimal fact covering on neck & withers, bone structure visible; spinal processes & vertebrae noticeable; tailhead & ribs prominent; noticeable bone structure on shoulder.
Thin: Neck looks thin; minimal fat covering onwithers & over spine; spinal processes still visible; tailhead prominent but individualvertebrae not seen; shoulder prominent; ribs still visible.
Moderately Thin: Neck & shoulder not obviously thin; withers accentuated; negative crease along back, fat can be felt on tailhead; faint outline of ribs seen.
Moderate: Neck blends smoothly into body; withers rounded; back level; fat around tailhead feels spongy; ribs easily felt but not seen; shoulder blends smoothly into body.
Moderate to fleshy: Some additional fat deposited on neck, withers & shoulder; slight positive crease down back; fat around tailhead feels soft; fat over ribs feels spongey.
Fleshy: Crest forming; obvious fat deposits on withers; positive crease down back; soft fat deposits around tailhead; noticeable fat between ribs but individual ribs felt; fat deposits behind shoulder.
Fat: Crest enlarged; area along withers filled with fat; obvious positive crease/ ridge down back; fat around tailhead very soft;ribs difficult to feel; area behind shoulder flush with body.
Extremely Fat: Crest bulging, may droop to one side; bulging fat on withers; very prominent crease down back; bulging fat around tailhead; obvious fat deposits over ribs, ribs cannot be felt; bulging fat behind shoulder.
Extremely Fat: Crest bulging, may droop to one side; bulging fat on withers; very prominent crease down back; bulging fat around tailhead; obvious fat deposits over ribs, ribs cannot be felt; bulging fat behind shoulder.
Extremely Fat: Crest bulging, may droop to one side; bulging fat on withers; very prominent crease down back; bulging fat around tailhead; obvious fat deposits over ribs, ribs cannot be felt; bulging fat behind shoulder.
Would you like a nutritionist to visit your yard to accurately assess your horse’s diet and condition? Contact the SPILLERS Care-Line to book your visit or to seek further advice on 01908 226626 or email us.
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Weigh tapes are easy to use, and if used in a consistent manner by the same person, they can be very effective for monitoring trends in weight gain or weight loss. Weigh tapes give an estimation of the horse or pony’s weight, but depending upon a number of factors including breed, conformation, fitness etc., their accuracy can vary. If you require an accurate weight for your horse, a weigh bridge may be necessary.
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Contact our dedicated Care-Line between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for help with nutritional advice.
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