Judgement of Body Condition Score (BCS) in Horses

Horse Body Condition Score | BCS 

Body condition Scoring is based on the Henneke System.
Here's the method of assessment of body condition in horses:

Horse BCS
Horse BCS


Score- 1 : Poor

Neck:  Bone structure easily noticeable.

Withers:  Bone structure easily noticeable

Shoulder: Bone structure easily noticeable

Body condition score 1
Body condition score 1



Ribs: Ribs protruding prominently

Tail Head: Back bone projecting prominently

Back: Tailhead, pinbones and hock bones projecting prominently


Score-2: Very Thin

Neck:  Bone structure fairly noticeable.

Withers:  Bone structure fairly noticeable

Shoulder: Bone structure fairly noticeable

body condition score 2
body condition score 2


Ribs: Ribs prominent

Tail Head: Slight fat covering over base of back.

Back: Tail head prominent


Score-3: Thin

Neck:  Neck slightly visible

Withers:  Withers slightly visible

Shoulder: Shoulder bone slightly visible

bcs 3
BCS - 3


Ribs: Slight fat over ribs and ribs easily visible.

Tail Head: Fat buildup halfway on back. Traverse processes cannot be felt.

Back: Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae can be identified.


Score-4: Moderately Thin

Neck:  Neck not obviously thin

Withers:  Withers not obviously thin

Shoulder: Shoulder not obviously thin

BCS 4
BCS 4



Ribs: Faint outline of ribs visible

Tail Head: Negative crease along back

Back: Prominece depends on conformation.


Score-5: Moderate

Neck:  Neck blends into body

Withers:  Withers rounded over spinous processes

Shoulder: Shoulder blends smoothly into body

BCS 5
BCS 5


Ribs: Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt.

Tail Head: Back is level

Back: Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft


Score-6: Moderately fleshy

Neck:  Fat beginning to be deposited

Withers:  Fat beginning to be deposited

Shoulder: Fat beginning to be deposited

BCS 6
BCS 6


Ribs: Fat over ribs feels spongy

Tail Head: May have a slight positive crease down back

Back: Fat around tailhead feels soft.


Score-7: Fleshy

Neck:  Fat deposited along neck.

Withers:  Fat deposited along neck.

Shoulder: Fat deposited behind shoulder.

BCS 7
BCS 7

Ribs: Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, nit noticeable fat-filling between ribs.

Tail Head: May have a positive crease down the back

Back: Fat around tailhead is soft


Score-8: Fat

Neck:  Noticeable thickening of neck

Withers:  Area filled with fat

Shoulder: Area filled in flush with body.

BCS 8
BCS 8

Ribs: Difficult to feel ribs

Tail Head: Positive crease down the back

Back: Fat around tailhead is very soft.


Score-9: Extremely Fat

Neck:  Bulging fat

Withers:  Bulging fat

Shoulder: Bulging fat

BCS 9
BCS 9


Ribs: Patchy fat appearing over ribs.

Tail Head: Obvious crease down the back

Back: Bulging fat around tailhead

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