Henneke_Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring_Chart_11_21_17.pdf

HENNEKE BODY CONDITION SCORE SHEET

DATE: _______________

NAME:______________________________________________________

ANIMAL ID:_________________________________________________

DESCRIPTION:______________________________________________

VISUAL or HANDS-ON ASSESSMENT

COMMENTS: ________________________________________________

OVERALL BODY CONDITION SCORE: ________ 6 =____________

sum total overall score (circle descriptions for each area of the body then average together)

Condition Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Back Tailhead Area

Poor

(extremely emaciated)

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Bone structure easily noticeable

Ribs projecting prominently

Spinous processes projecting prominently

Tailhead, pinbones, and hook bones projecting prominently

Very Thin

(emaciated)

Bone structure faintly discernible

Bone structure faintly discernible

Bone structure faintly discernible

Ribs prominent

Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded.

Spinous processes are prominent

Tailhead prominent

Pin bones prominent

Hook bones prominent

Thin

Neck accentuated

Withers accentuated

Shoulder accentuated

Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible

Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes, but easily discernible.

Traverse processes cannot be felt

Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable

Moderately

Thin

Neck not obviously thin

Withers not obviously thin

Shoulder not obviously thin

Faint outline of ribs discernible

Negative crease (peaked appearance) along back

Prominence depends on conformation. Fat can be felt.

Hook bones not discernible

Moderate

Moderately

Fleshy

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited

Fat beginning to be deposited behind shoulder

Fat over ribs feels spongy

May have a slight positive crease (a groove) down back

Fat around tailhead feels soft

Fleshy

Fat deposited along neck

Fat deposited along withers

Fat deposited behind shoulder

Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable fat filling between ribs

May have a positive crease down the back

Fat around tailhead is soft

Fat

Noticeable thickening of neck

Area along withers filled with fat

Area behind shoulder filled with fat

Difficult to feel ribs Positive crease down back Fat around tailhead very soft

Extremely Fat

Bulging fat Bulging fat Bulging fat Patchy fat appearing over ribs

Obvious crease down back Flank filled with fat

Bulging fat around tailhead

(prepared by A Kane USDA APHIS 11/21/17)

Back is level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy

Neck blends smoothly into body

Withers rounded over spinous processes

Shoulder blends smoothly into body

Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt

N o f a t t y t I s s u e c a n b e f e l t