The body condition refers to the amount of fat that is distributed on the horse's body. The main areas that are examined in the body condition score include the neck, withers, shoulder, ribs, loins and the tailhead.

The amount of fat is easily seen and palpated on the horse. When evaluating the body condition of a horse, you will want to get close to the horse and feel the fat deposits in these areas. You are also able to follow the chart to determine the score of the horse. A horse is able to fall into half ranges in the scoring. This is an excellent way to describe your horse's condition to a vet or trainer or even a prospective buyer if they are knowledgeable of the system.

A. Along the neck, B. Along the withers, C. Crease down the back, D. Tailhead, E. Ribs, F. Behind the shoulder

1. Poor. Animal is extremely emaciated. Spinous rocesses (portion of the vertebra of the backbone which project upward), ribs, tailhead, and bony protrusions of the pelvic girdle (hooks and pins) are prominent. Bone structure of withers, shoulders, and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can be felt.

2. Very Thin. Animal is emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of the spinous processes. Transverse processes (portion of vertebrae which project outward) of lumbar (loin area) vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes, ribs, shoulders, and neck structures are faintly discernible.

3. Thin. Fat is built up about halfway on spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes and ribs are easily iscernible. Tailhead is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones (protrusion of pelvic girdle appearing in upper, forward part of the hip) appear rounded, but are easily discernible. Pin bones (bony projections of pelvic girdle located toward rear, mid-section of the hip) are not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders, and neck are accentuated.

4. Moderately Thin. Negative crease along back (spinous processes of vertebrae protrude slightly above surrounding tissue). Faint outline of ribs is discernible. Fat can be felt around tailhead (prominence depends on conformation). Hook bones are not discernible. Withers, shoulders, and neck are not obviously thin.

5. Moderate. Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead begins to feel spongy. Withers appear rounded over pinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.

6. Moderate to Fleshy. May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders, and along sides of neck.

7. Fleshy. May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling of fat between ribs. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat is deposited along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck.

8. Fat. Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead is very soft. Area along withers is filled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled in flush with rest of the body. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks.

9. Extremely fat. Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders, and along neck. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank is filled in flush with rest of the body.

	Score 1 Poor - Emaciated - with sunken rump and deep cavity under tail, skin tight over ribs
	Score 2 Very Thin - very thin with prominent pelvis and croup, ribs visible
	Score 3 Thin - thin with flat rump, croup well defined, some fat; e.g., mare that has been severely dragged down by milking while on poor pasture.
	Score 4 Moderately Thin - e.g., racing condition or endurance horse.
	Score 5 Moderate (Ideal Weight) - ribs and pelvis covered with fat and rounded; e.g., a halter horse in prime show condition.
	Score 6 Moderately Fleshy - e.g., mature mare in mid-gestation.
	Score 7 Fleshy - fat covering ribs and pelvis requiring firm pressure to feel; e.g., an easy-keeping, mature horse on pasture with little or no work.
	Score 8 Fat - overweight condition with ribs and pelvis that are hard to feel, little definition from neck into shoulder.
	Score 9 Extremely Fat - severe overweight condition with ribs and pelvis that cannot be felt, deep gutter in back, lumpy fat all over, cresty neck