Health & Nutrition


Body Condition Scoring vs. Topline Evaluation System


Topline Evaluation System


can still use improvement. If your hand flexes outward there is adequate muscling in that area, unless the horse is obese. When palpating, note the presence of muscle or fat (muscle will feel firm, while fat is spongy). Step 2. Place your fingertips on


Body Condition Scoring (BCS) and


Topline Evaluation System (TES) are two methods of evaluating the overall health and nutritional status of a horse. Body condition scoring is a system


where a horse is ranked from 1-9 on its level of fatness. This score indicates if we need more or less CALORIES in the horse’s diet. Owners may also use a simplified system that looks primarily at the fat cover over the ribs to place the horse in one of three simplified score categories. Topline evaluation is done by mea-


suring the musculature along the spine, and giving a grade of A, B, C, or D. This score indicates AMINO ACID status and muscle quality.


These two measurements must be


evaluated independently of one another. To learn how to measure each, refer to the tools.


Assess Your Horse's Topline: To evaluate a horse’s topline, refer to


the visual of the three areas to evaluate in the chart below. Then assign a grade for each area. Add up the number of areas that are adequate-to-good to determine your horse’s TES grade. All 3 areas adequate to good = TES


score of A


2 of 3 areas = B 1 of 3 areas = C 0 of 3 areas = D Follow these steps to conduct a hands-


on evaluation. Step 1. Place the palm of your hand


on the side of the horse’s withers. Does it fall inward? If so, some muscle is gone. If it remains flat, depending on the breed/horse, the amount of muscle may be adequate or


12 SouthWest Horse Trader August 2017


the horse’s backbone with your palm facing downward, toward the ribs. Use the same assessment above to evaluate the muscles. Step 3. Follow the same process for


the horse’s loin and croup.


Condition Score


Body


Assess Your Horse's Body Condition: To evaluate a horse’s body condition


score, utilize this simplified method that looks at the fat cover over the ribs, which is a primary indicator area of overall condi- tion. Hands on evaluation is key, particular- ly for horses with long hair coats. If your horse has easily visible ribs


that you can feel, then the BCS is a 4 or lower.


If you can feel your horse’s ribs but cannot see them, then the BCS is a 5 to 6. If you can’t see OR feel your horse’s ribs, then the BCS is a 7 or greater. The ideal BCS for most horses is 5-6,


but individual horses will vary based on metabolic needs, breed, level of fitness and conformation. To help identify the nutritional needs


for your horse’s topline, visit Topline Bal- ance and take the asssessment tool to get a


customized nutrition plan. w Henneke, D.R., G.D. Potter, J.L. Kreider


and B.F. Yeates. 1983. Relationship between body condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares. Equine Vet. J. 15(4): 371-372.


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