Body Condition Scoring of Horses J.M. .\-inJJut andS.H. TenBroeck2 'Marion County Extension Service, Ocala, FL 2Department ofAnimal Sciences, Gainesville, FL University of Florida/IFAS Introduction Equine body condition is primarily a function of the balance between a horse's intake and expenditure of energy and is affected by both external and internal factors. Availability and amount of feed and water, reproductive status, changes in weather, parasite load, performance demands, and dental abnormalities are all factors that may influence the body condition of horses. This system of appraisal is based on the amount and proportion of fat and muscle present on an animal. A numerical value 2 (emaciated) to 8 (very fat) is assigned to horses based on visual appraisal and palpable fat cover at six areas of the horse's body (Fig. 1). These areas can be described in such detail as to provide the equine appraiser with a visual image for scoring (Table 1). To accurately determine body condition, horsemen must rely on both visual observation (what the horse looks like), and manual palpation (what the horse feels like). The technique of evaluating and quantifying a horse's body condition is a tool horsemen can use for nutrition and reproduction management decisions. (- Lek^ A Alni "l',lhad -n the then a ck, .ck %Ithc Body condition of horses is affected by both external and internal circumstances. Availability and amount of feed, water, reproductive status, changes in weather, parasite control, performance demands, and dental abnormalities are all factors that influence the body condition of horses. This visual method of assessing horses may be used to supplement regular weighing programs. Body condition or change in body condition is a more reliable indicator of nutritional status than liveweight or change in liveweight. It is important to note that all horses of the same weight will not necessarily have the same body condition score. For instance, a 1200 pound horse may either have high or low body condition score depending on the animal's frame size, muscling and fat deposition. Each animal is scored according to its individual characteristics. Reproductive performance of broodmares is also related to condition score. Poor body condition of broodmares (below BCS 5) has been shown to: i increase number of days to first estrus O require more services per conception a increase foaling intervals a lower percentage of pregnant mares Evaluating Body Condition It is not difficult to learn how to evaluate equine body condition. Initially, almost all horsemen will be able to recognize the difference between BSC 2 and BSC 5. Figure 1. Diagram of areas emphasized in condition score.