The condition scoring system (as I was taught it):
body score 1- poor: extremely emaciated; no fat can be felt anywhere; extremely
bony (hip, rib, and vertebrae protrude sharply)
body score 2- very thin: emactiated; _slight_ fat covering; very bony (hip, rib,
and vertebrae protrude)
body score 3- thin: some fat over ribs and backbone (individual vertebrae not
seen but ribs still easily visable)
body score 4- moderately thin: negative crease along back; ribs faintly visable;
(most racing TB's fall in this category)
body score 5- moderate: back is level; ribs not visable but feelable; withers
rounded; smooth neck to shoulder joining
body score 6- moderate to fleshy: slight crease down back; fat over ribs begins
to feel spongy; fat on withers, crest, and behind forearm
body score 7- fleshy: moderate crease down back; ribs can be felt but not seen;
fat on withers, crest, and behind forearm becoming obvious
body score 8- fat: large crease down back; very hard to feel ribs; thighs rub
together; very obvious fat deposits on withers, etc
body score 9- extremely fat: obvious crease down back; ribs can't be felt;
bulging fat on withers, crest, buttocks, flank, etc
Hope this helps!
Dawn
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* Dawn Engle /\ \ \_=___=__ There is no joy *
* (aka Phantom) / \_=___=__ equal to that *
* dengle@vt.edu / \ \_=__=__ found on the back *
* _phantom@vt.edu / ) \_=___=_ of a horse. *
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