Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility
 
Henneke Body Condition Scoring System
Condition Neck Withers Shoulder Ribs Loin Tailhead
1
Poor		 Bone structure easily noticeable Bone structure easily noticeable Bone structure easily noticeable Ribs protruding prominently Spinous processes projecting prominently Tailhead, pinbones, and hook bones projecting prominently
2
Very Thin		 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
3
Thin		 Neck accentuated Withers accentuated Shoulder accentuated Slight fat 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
4
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
5
Moderate (Ideal Weight)		 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 Back is level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel soft
6
Moderately Fleshy		 Fat beginning to be deposited Fat beginning to be deposited Fat beginning to be deposited Fat over ribs feels spongy May have a slight positive crease (a groove) down back Fat around tailhead feels soft
7
Fleshy		 Fat deposited along neck Fat deposited along withers Fat deposited behind shoulder Individual ribs can be felt with pressure, but noticeable fat filling between ribs May have a positive crease down the back Fat around tailhead is soft
8
Fat		 Noticeable thickening of neck Area along withers filled with fat Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body Difficult to feel ribs Positive crease down the back Fat around tailhead very soft
9
Extremely Fat		 Bulging fat Bulging fat Bulging fat Patchy fat appearing over ribs Obvious crease down the back Bulging fat around tailhead

Basic Guidelines for Operating an Equine Rescue or Retirement Facility                (Source: Habitat for Horses, 2004)

 

rating of 1
  Marco = 1

rating of 2
  Maggie = 2
 
 

rating of 5
  Blue = 5

rating of 6
  Sand Dollar = 6
 

 


  Blue = 9