Horse Body Condition Scoring:
Condition Score #6: Moderate Fleshy
Dr. Robert E. Bray
Consulting Equine Nutritionist
(Permission granted for the reprinting of this material from REBray’s Equine Nutritional Management© manual for the 2009-2010 Star Milling Web site)

The horse’s back usually appears flat but depending on muscle type there may be a slight crease down the back; stock type horses would be more likely to show a hint of a crease down the back. The ribs are not visually discernible but can be felt with some pressure during palpation of the ribs; the fat over the ribs is slightly spongy. The fat around the tailhead is soft. The withers are rounded. Fat is beginning to be deposited along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders, and along the side of the neck. Transition between major body structures visually appears similar to a CS #5 but the differences can be identified in the sponginess of the fat and this difference is determined by palpation. The rump is more round.

• Transition and blending of major structures are visually pleasing; such as neck & shoulder; shoulder & barrel; and barrel & hip • Ribs not visually distinguishable; the fat over the ribs is slightly spongy.• Withers are rounded. • No crease; back is flat but has more bloom to top of rump. • Rump is uniform and round in appearance; more bloom to rump than CS #5 BACK TO HORSE BODY CONDITION MAIN PAGE