Horse Welfare Henneke Body Condition Scoring

The Henneke Body Condition Scoring system was devised to evaluate how "thin" or how "fat" a horse is. Because horses differ in conformation and fat distribution, six different areas of the body are scored individually, then the scores are averaged to determine the overall Body Condition Score. Each area may be scored in increments of 0.25. One area may, for instance, be rated a 3.25, 2.50, or 4.75. It is not necessary to use only whole numbers during evaluation. The six areas to be considered are A) the neck, B) the withers, C) the loin, D) the tailhead, E) the rib cage and F) the shoulder. The list below shows which numerical value to place on each area based on the presence or absence of flesh or fat in that area. Evaluation should be a "hands-on" experience whenever possible since coat can obscure bone structure in some cases.

A. Neck

1 - Bone structure easily noticeable

2 - Bone structure faintly discernable

3 - Neck accentuated

4 - Neck not obviously thin

5 - Neck blends smoothly into body

6 - Fat beginning to be deposited

7 - Fat deposited along neck

8 - Noticeable thickening of neck

9 - Bulging fat

D. Tailhead

1 - Tailhead (pinbones) and hook bones projecting prominently

2 - Tailhead prominent

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

4 - Prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible

5 - Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy

6 - Fat around tailhead feels soft

7 - Fat around tailhead is soft

8 -Tailhead fat very soft

9 - Building fat around tailhead

B. Withers

1 - Bone structure easily noticeable

2 - Bone structure faintly discernable

3 - Withers accentuated

4 - Withers not obviously thin

5 - Withers rounded over spinous processes

6 - Fat beginning to be deposited

7 - Fat deposited along withers

8 - Area along withers filled with fat

9 - Bulging fat

E. Ribs

1 - Ribs projecting prominently

2 - Ribs prominent

3 - Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible.

4 - Faint outline discernible

5 - Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt

6 - Fat over ribs feels spongy

7 - Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat

8 - Difficult to feel ribs

9 - Patchy fat appearing over ribs

C. Loin

1 - Spinous processes project prominently

2 - Slight fat covering overbase of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent.

3 - Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily discernible. Transverse processes cannot be felt.

4 - Negative crease along back

5 - Back level

6 - May have slight positive crease down back

7 - May have positive crease down back

8 - Positive crease down back

9 - Obvious positive crease down back

F. Shoulder

1 - Bone structure easily noticeable

2 - Bone structure faintly discernable

3 - Shoulder accentuated

4 - Shoulder not obviously thin

5 - Shoulder blends smoothly into body

6 - Fat beginning to be deposited

7 - Fat deposited behind shoulder

8 - Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body

9 - Bulging fat

Average score of 1 = Poor. Animal extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue

Average score of 2 = Very Thin

Average score of 3 = Thin

Average score of 4 = Moderately Thin

Average score of 5 = Moderate

Average score of 6 = Moderately Fleshy

Average score of 7 = Fleshy

Average score of 8 = Fat. Fat deposited along inner buttocks

Average score of 9 = Extremely Fat. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush

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Determining Degree of Lameness

AAEP’s (American Association of Equine Practioners') system of classification.

Grade 1: Difficult to observe; not consistently apparent regardless of circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.).

Grade 2: Difficult to observe at a walk or trotting a straight line; consistently apparent under certain circumstances (i.e., weight carrying, circling, inclines, hard surfaces, etc.).

Grade 3: Consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances.

Grade 4: Obvious lameness; marked nodding, hitching or shortened stride.

Grade 5: Minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest; inability to move.

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