Understanding Body Condition Scoring

In partnership with Equine Guelph

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a valuable tool for assessing nutritional status, though opinions on ideal condition can vary widely—what a racehorse trainer considers ideal may differ significantly from the preference of a hunter judge. This subjectivity can impact equine health over time, making consistent, hands-on and visual assessments essential. Regular monitoring helps ensure the horse’s diet is effective and allows for early detection of changes before they become serious.

Equine Guelph Body Condition Scoring Tool

To easily perform a BCS on your horse, Equine Guelph has created a simple interactive Body Condition Scoring Tool that you can use to assess your horse.

About the Henneke Body Condition Scoring

After more than 40 years, the Henneke Body Condition Scoring (BCS) for horses is still the gold standard of attempting to objectively assess the body condition of all breeds and ages of horses. BCS is scored on the neck, shoulder, withers, loin, tailhead, and ribs from 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese. These six areas are key in assessment as they help to determine fat deposits (or lack thereof), regardless of breed or individual structure and can then guide what changes in the diet and lifestyle may be necessary to get back to ideal condition. Some factors to consider:

Proper body condition scoring requires visual and hands on assessment.

Health Status – Is your horse up to date on their deworming program and dental work? Do they have digestive upsets or special needs?

Breed/Genetics/Disposition – Is your horse a hot-head who stresses out easily or a ‘Steady Eddy’ who doesn’t bat an eye?

Environment – Does your horse have adequate forage and what is their exercise level? Are herd dynamics or time of year affecting their condition?

Once individual and external factors have been considered and cleared and you have given your horse a body condition score, now what? Here are some nutrition options from Masterfeeds to consider:

Body Condition Score	Description	Masterfeeds Equine Nutrition Solutions	Master Care Life Plan Products
1 to 3	A horse in this range is severely to mildly underconditioned. Safely increase calories with high fat and high fibre rations.	`Equine Developer,` `Podium,` `Fusion,` `NRG,` `Exactor Lite,` `Grand Circuit,` `Alltrack,` `Finishing Touch,` `Senior,` `Rx Roughage`	`Equine Developer,` `Podium,` `Senior`
4 to 6	Horses in this range are maintaining well on their current diet, feed moderate levels of fat and fibre.	`Patriot Light Performance,` `Fat ‘n’ Fibre,` `Surmount`	`Surmount`
7 to 9	A horse in this range has become overconditioned. Decrease calories with lower energy ration balance.	`Patriot Light Performance,` `Fat ‘n’ Fibre,` `VTM,` `Easy Cube,` `Rx Roughage,` `Loose Horse Mineral` `Complete GI`	`VTM`