Equine body condition scoring is a practical method of assessing body fat by eye and by touch. Several areas where fat is commonly laid down are scored using a numerical grading system, most commonly a 1-9 or 0-5 scale. We recommend using the more widely validated (scientifically tested) 1-9 scale. Whichever system you use, the important thing is to apply it consistently. Make sure you are clear which system you are using if discussing scoring with your vet or a nutritionist.

It’s also important to remember that equine body condition scoring is an assessment of external body fat (the fat you can see and feel as opposed to internal fat around the organs) and not muscle development or “topline.”

What Is the Ideal Equine Body Condition Score?

A body condition score (BCS) of 5 on the 1-9 scale is generally considered ideal. A score of 7 or above is considered obese. However, seasonal fluctuations are natural, particularly for native breeds. An acceptable body condition score can vary based on the individual and time of year.

For example:

• Provided they are not laminitic and slim down over the winter, a BCS of 6/9 (6 out of 9) at the end of summer is generally considered acceptable for “good doers” and might be ideal for “poor doers” going into winter.
• A BCS of 4.5/9 at the start of spring might be ideal for “good doers.”
• A BCS of 6/9 might be ideal for mares pre-foaling.
• A BCS of 4.5/9 might be acceptable for a racehorse.

Quick Guide to BCS Using the 1-9 Scale

1. Stand your horse as squarely as possible on a firm, level surface.
2. Score each of the six areas (neck, withers, shoulder, loins, ribs, and tailhead) individually. You can use half scores.
3. Calculate the average (add the scores together and divide by 6) to determine the final score.

(Author’s note: You can download this one-page scoring guide & record card or try using this online BCS calculator.)

Tips for Monitoring and Improving Consistency

The following tips will help you improve your consistency when using equine body condition scoring for your own horses:

• Body condition scoring is best carried out by the same person. Getting a second opinion from time to time can be helpful. Staying objective when scoring your own horse can sometimes be difficult.
• Always have the score descriptors on hand, even if you have a lot of experience.
• Always approach the score descriptors in the same way (i.e., from the lowest number up or the highest down) and decide which bests describes your horse.
• Remember you need to look and feel. Remove your horse’s rug/blanket and make sure you’re not wearing gloves!
• Keep a record of your horse’s body condition score so you can track changes. Remember to include the date and score for each body area individually! Although it’s difficult to body condition score from photographs alone, taking pictures regularly can be useful.

Regional Fat Deposits

Like people, horses do not always lay down external fat in the same places. Once developed, a large crest might prove hard to lose, even if the horse or pony has an otherwise low body condition score. Similarly, those with PPID (also known as Cushing’s disease) might have large regional fat deposits in areas such as the crest or loin despite being thin overall. In those situations, body condition scoring systems should be used with caution. Speak to a nutritionist for more advice.

Is It Muscle or Fat?

Telling the difference between muscle and fat can be tricky, even for experienced owners. In general, fat feels “spongey” and muscle feels firm. However, it’s easy to be caught out.

• A lack of muscle mass might be mistaken for a lack of fat.
• “Softer” muscles in senior or unexercised horses might be mistaken for excess fat.
• Excess fat can be mistaken for topline—the rounded “topline” seen in native breeds, cobs, and warmbloods is often fat rather than muscle.
• Excess fat can make it difficult or impossible to assess muscle in some areas.

Remember that equine body condition scoring, whichever scale you use, is an assessment of fat, not muscle. That means it’s possible for horses in “ideal” or overweight condition to be under muscled.

Concerns About Muscle Wastage

Although some degree of muscle wastage can occur with aging, it might be exacerbated in those with an underlying clinical condition such as PPID. Muscle wastage can also occur as a result of malnutrition, injury, poor saddle fit, some forms of tying up, and other conditions. 

If you are concerned about muscle wastage, try using this online muscle wastage scoring tool and seek advice from your veterinarian.

Changes Take Time

Monitoring the equine body condition score every two weeks will help you to keep track of gradual changes. However, it’s important to remember that it can take a number of weeks for changes in BCS to occur, especially with overweight/obese horses. Don’t be disheartened if this is the case initially. Your horse might still be losing internal fat. (Like people, horses can be fat on the inside as well as the outside!)

In addition to equine body condition scoring, try monitoring belly girth and possibly heart girth on a weekly basis. Alternatively, you could try using the new body condition index, a method of assessing body fat similar to the Body Mass Index (BMI) used in humans.

For tips on other methods of monitoring your horse’s weight and body condition see “The Body Condition Index—Beyond Body Condition Scoring.”

Scoring Criteria for the 1-9 Scale*

Following are the scoring areas and tips for grading the body condition score of your horse:

The Neck

The Withers

The Shoulder

The Ribs

The Loins/ Back

The Tailhead

*Adapted from Henneke et al., 1983