Multiple Uses for Equine Body Condition Scoring

A Simple Technique to Evaluate the Nutritional Status of a Horse

Nov 19, 2008

Few owners have access to a scale to weigh their animal regularly but learning Equine Body Condition Scoring will allow them to to monitor the health of their horse.

Equine BCS was originally developed by Don R. Henneke, PhD of Tarleton State Texas University to help determine fertility in broodmares. Veterinarians and their staff now use Body Condition Scoring to educate horse owners in evaluating their animal’s weight. Because few people have access to a scale to weigh their horses, this is a valuable tool to help any horse owner maintain his animal in optimum health.

How Equine Body Condition is Measured

There are several points on the horse’s body where fat tends to accumulate. These points are evaluated for adipose deposition:

Each area is rated on a scale of 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat) and then the horse is given an overall Equine Body Condition Score based on the combined results. Good body condition scores fall into the 5-7 range.

Depending on potential nutritional stressors such as pregnancy, nursing, exposure to cold weather or intense working conditions, some horses might best be maintained in the 6-7 range. Five would be considered a good BCS for most horses used for pleasure riding or driving but individual horse owners should work with their veterinarian to determine the optimum score for their animal.

Veterinary Uses for the Equine Body Condition Scoring System

Equine BCS is a great tool for veterinarians to use in monitoring the ongoing health of their patients. A horse whose BCS has changed significantly from the previous examination may be developing a health problem. Tests can be run and, if no other cause is found for the weight change, adjustments can be made to the animal’s diet. In addition, Equine Body Condition Scoring has now been accepted in court as a legitimate determination of negligence in equine cruelty cases.

Horse Owners and Equine Body Condition Scoring

Some horses are high strung or under heavy workloads. These animals may be difficult to keep weight on. They need to be regularly evaluated to ensure they don't lose condition. But the majority of horse owners today must be ever vigilant to prevent their animal from becoming so overweight that their health is affected.

Wild horses ate opportunistically. Good food was not always available making it important to graze whenever grasses were plentiful. Today, the regular presence of high quality food and more limited activity allow for easier weight gain.

With time, the owner can learn to use Equine Body Condition Scoring to monitor changes in the horse’s condition and to react with dietary changes or a veterinary exam as appropriate.

Use of Equine Body Condition Scoring is likely to increase as more veterinarians and horse owners become aware of the ease with which the system can be used to evaluate and maintain horse health.

Other Sources:

Kimball, Cheryl, CVT. 2008. Equine Body Condition Scoring.Veterinary Technician. Vol.29. No9. pp. 508-554.

The copyright of the article Multiple Uses for Equine Body Condition Scoring in Horse Care is owned by Dawn M. Smith. Permission to republish Multiple Uses for Equine Body Condition Scoring in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.