Body Condition Scoring Amber D Krotky MS PAS
Body Condition Scoring Amber D Krotky, MS, PAS Quality & Product Development Manager Mars Horsecare US – Buckeye Nutrition
Using the traditional method of body condition scoring (BCS) for horses, what BCS would this horse be considered as? a. BCS 6 b. BCS 9 c. BCS 4 d. BCS 2 e. None are correct
Using the traditional method of body condition scoring (BCS) for horses, what BCS would this horse be considered as? a. BCS 2 b. BCS 6 c. BCS 8 d. BCS 4 e. None are correct
Using the traditional method of body condition scoring for horses (BCS), what BCS would this horse be considered as? a. BCS 2 b. BCS 5 c. BCS 9 d. BCS 4 e. None are correct
Monitoring Weight Why is it important to monitor weight? Prevent too much weight gain or loss Sudden changes can indicate health problems Too heavy - risk of: laminitis, insulin resistance, reproductive problems, exercise intolerance, heat exhaustion Too thin – risk of: compromised immune system, muscle wasting, exercise intolerance, parasite problems, cold intolerance, malnutrition
Henneke Body Condition Scoring System • Developed by Dr. Don Henneke, University of Texas, 1983 • Article published in the Equine Veterinary Journal • Scores 1 -9 • 1 -2 = emaciated • 3 -4 = thin • 5– 6 = range of ideal scores • 7 = overweight • 8 -9 = obese • Ideal body condition depends on: • Breed • Discipline • Age • Climate
What is ideal body condition? • Often subjective, “ideal” may vary by discipline • Example: endurance horses are usually leaner than show-fit halter horses. The horse's physical condition is rated on visual appraisal and palpation (feel) of six conformation points: 1. the amount of flesh or fat covering the neck 2. the withers 3. down the crease of the back 4. at the tailhead 5. ribs 6. behind the shoulder at the girth
Lumbar Vertebra-Anterior View Indicating Profile Lines for Each Body Condition Score
• • Photo: www. habitatforhorses. org BCS = 1 (Poor) Extremely Emaciated Bones Project Prominently Spine, Ribs, Hips, Withers No Fat Anywhere Intense care needed for refeeding
BCS = 2 (Very Thin) • Emaciated • Bones Prominent Spine, Ribs, Tailhead, Hips Slight fat at base of spine, withers • Intense care needed for refeeding • Photo: www. habitatforhorses. org
BCS = 3 (Thin) Fat 1/2 way up Spine • Slight Fat over Ribs • Tailhead Prominent • Hooks Rounded / No Pins •
BCS = 4 (Moderately Thin) Negative Crease along Back • Faint Outline of Ribs • Fat around Tailhead • Not Obviously Thin • MUST BE a minimum of a “ 4” to participate in Ohio 4 -H Horse Program
• • BCS = 5 (Moderate: Ideal Weight) Back is Level Ribs not seen, but felt Spongy fat around Tailhead Withers rounded / Shoulders Blend
• • BCS = 6 (Moderately Fleshy) Slight Crease down Back Spongy fat over ribs Soft fat around Tailhead Fat around withers, shoulders
BCS = 7 (Fleshy) Crease down Back • Fat between ribs, barely feel • Cushy Tailhead • Fat on Withers, Shoulders, Neck •
BCS = 8 (Fat) Prominent Crease down Back • Can’t feel Ribs • Well Padded Processes • Fat along inner Thighs •
BCS = 9 (Extremely Fat/Obese) • Bulging Fat Neck, withers, shoulders & tailhead • Patchy fat around ribs Can’t feel Ribs • Obvious crease down back “Heart” shape rump
What if…? ? ? …my horse is too thin!!! Consult with equine nutritionist and veterinarian Rule out health problems Increase calories (fat) Increase forage Caloric intake and grain need to be increased SLOWLY and CAREFULLY Too much too fast = digestive upset risk of cardiac problems in emaciated horses Increase fat content of diet Ease workload, if applicable • • Every 1 unit increase in BCS, requires approximately 50# BW gain. Feed an additional 4. 5# of feed
What if…? ? ? …my horse is too fat!!! Consult with equine nutritionist and veterinarian Test for insulin resistance, if necessary Rule out other metabolic issues Decrease caloric intake Soak hay Reduce grain, provide GRO ‘N WIN® Limit pasture – grazing muzzle if needed Increase exercise slowly as tolerated Increase turnout Do NOT starve horse!
What if…? ? ? …I don’t know if my horse is too thin or too fat or just right!!! Estimate weight Weight tape or calculation Body condition Is this “ideal” for the horse’s size/breed/discipline? What is the horse’s regular diet? Do adjustments need to be made? Veterinarian – rule out health problems
Using the traditional method of body condition scoring (BCS) for horses, what BCS would this horse be considered as? a. BCS 6 b. BCS 9 c. BCS 4 d. BCS 2 e. None are correct MUST BE a minimum of a “ 4” to participate in Ohio 4 -H Horse Program
a. BCS 2 b. BCS 6 c. BCS 8 d. BCS 4 e. None are correct
Using the traditional method of body condition scoring for horses (BCS), what BCS would this horse be considered as? a. BCS 2 b. BCS 5 c. BCS 9 d. BCS 4 e. None are correct
Body Condition Score Resources Video by University of Kentucky & The. Horse. com BCS App by e. Xtension & University Collaboration Estimating your horse’s weight Body Condition Index
Video – U. KY & The. Horse. com Link to video: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=bq 0 ZXn. Sls. NQ
There’s an app for that… University Collaboration & e. Xtension
Estimating A Horse’s Weight Tape: Very useful to monitor changes (caution using tape with Draft breeds or Minis) Calculation: 2 yr & older: (HG x BL) / 330 Yearling: (HG x BL) / 301 Weanling: (HG x BL) / 280 HG= Heart Girth BL=Body Length
Measuring HG and BL Notes: • BL (Body length) measurement is not quite the same as measuring for a blanket! • HG (heart girth) measurement taken about 4 inches behind shoulder.
Another Tool… Body Condition Index (BCI) More objective than BCS, which is very subjective Similar to Body Mass Index (BMI) in humans Useful when: Multiple people are monitoring the same horse over time Additional measure of change in condition https: //www. spillers-feeds. com/weight-management-tools/
Stand on level surface Relaxed, square stance Measure (cm): Height Neck Circumference Heart Girth Belly Girth (mid-back)
Body Condition Index Calculator on Spillers Feeds: https: //www. spillers-feeds. com/weight-management-tools/ Spillers-feed. com Help & Advice Weight Management Tools Does not account for horse’s length DOES allow monitoring change Equation: BCI = [HG 0. 5 + (BG+NC 1. 2)/H 1. 05]2. 2
Calculates BCI Automatically
Thank you! Questions?
- Slides: 34