Condition score BH, and post your own if you fancy. Just for fun :)

[Jesstickle]

As Cptrayes's thread on good shoeing was so informative, and because condition scoring seems to be somewhat topical at the moment, I thought it might be nice to have a thread of horses that are 'good' or in condition 3 for reference and just for interest. And so we can all get our eye in for the onset of spring and watch those lbs!

I am not setting BH up as the perfect 3. He isn't. He's probably more of a 2.5 but I am happy with him and someone has to go first

Feel free to be as brutal as you like. Here he is in all his (naked) glory....

RHS

LHS

A botty shot

and the reasons he isn't quite a 3

Ribs

and angular hips

Anyone have any thoughts. Please be nice, I am really not trying to start a fight

 

[Buds_mum]

BH is lovely! Seeing ribs is personally a shock as I don't think Buddy has them!

Not much clue on the scoring, but i'm learning! Buds is on a wee diet, personally I would say he is looking 'well# Anyone welcome to comment...

 

[Shantara]

Could someone score Neddy? I'm not sure how to do it, haha!

(Note, not usually naked and clipped in the snow, but he was hot and wanted a proper good roll!)

 

[GinaGeo]

I'd be very happy with that weight for this time of year on you horse jesstickle. The grass'll be through soon.

Here's some of my boy, they are from last summer as I don't have any recent ones of him.

I had him scored at about 3.5 here. But for him I was quite happy with that. It's hard work to get him down to that. He's one that live on fresh air. Have to work him very hard to get him down to that and feed the bare minimum.

He's currently carrying a little more that I'd like, so I'm getting our fitness programme underway as of tomorrow!

 

[Jake10]

I'm guessing you're using a 1-5 score? I think 2.5-3 is ideal fat layers on the ribs suggest that fat has also been stored around some of the horses organs so you want to be able to see a tiny bit of rib. I confess that I'm better at condition scoring cows than horses

 

[Jesstickle]

Nah, although they aren't the most perfect photos I'd say Ned looks absolutely peachy but the best way to do it is to go and give him a wobble. You can find the BHS guide to it here,

http://www.bhs.org.uk/Horse_Care/Horse_Care_Advice/Publications/Download.aspx

it really isn't difficult but I think it's a pretty useful skill to have

Buds_mum, what a lovely chap. I'm really not much good at looking at the chunkier chaps but he doesn't look huge from your pic, his shoulders certainly aren't loaded up or anything scary like that!

 

[Jesstickle]

I'm guessing you're using a 1-5 score? I think 2.5-3 is ideal fat layers on the ribs suggest that fat has also been stored around some of the horses organs so you want to be able to see a tiny bit of rib. I confess that I'm better at condition scoring cows than horses

Yes, 1-5 1-9 confooses my poor brain

I agree and like them on the 2 side of 3 but I know that I am in the minority. Is the system exactly the same for cattle? I'm very intrigued

 

[Ibblebibble]

well both my TB and TBx are the same is BH at the moment,I don't have any current naked pics and it's a bit too dark to go get some now. i would prefer them both to have a bit more weight on just to cover the ribs more, the thing that makes them look worse than BH in my mind is big girl is seriously lacking muscle so her butt looks really scrawny, Ross is slightly better but not as good as BH muscle wise

 

[Shantara]

Nah, although they aren't the most perfect photos I'd say Ned looks absolutely peachy but the best way to do it is to go and give him a wobble. You can find the BHS guide to it here,

http://www.bhs.org.uk/Horse_Care/Horse_Care_Advice/Publications/Download.aspx

Thanks I'm seeing him tomorrow, so I'll go and give him a prod and a wobble!

Also found this

[youtube]Kn1_CChs5dw[/youtube]

 

[be positive]

As Cptrayes's thread on good shoeing was so informative, and because condition scoring seems to be somewhat topical at the moment, I thought it might be nice to have a thread of horses that are 'good' or in condition 3 for reference and just for interest. And so we can all get our eye in for the onset of spring and watch those lbs!

I am not setting BH up as the perfect 3. He isn't. He's probably more of a 2.5 but I am happy with him and someone has to go first

Feel free to be as brutal as you like. Here he is in all his (naked) glory....

RHS

LHS

A botty shot

and the reasons he isn't quite a 3

Ribs

and angular hips

Anyone have any thoughts. Please be nice, I am really not trying to start a fight

The photos of BH show what would be in my mind a fit horse that is currently hunting/eventing and looking good on it

It shows though how photos can give such a different perspective, looking at your video of him doing dressage recently I felt he looked fat, or at least rather rotund in his tummy area, I was therefore surprised to see how much leaner he looks without the saddle on.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Well I have two that are a bit leaner than I would idealy like and one that is a bit tubbier than I would like.

I've really struggled to keep weight on this mare over the winter as she has been refusing to eat her hard feeds on occasion. I've tried so many different feeds to tempt her, it's been so frustrating. She is thinner than the photo looks because she's got her full winter coat. Ribs can be seen, she's lost muscle as she's on field rest and her hip is less covered than normal.

This chap is lean because he is growing and I have been careful to not overfeed him. He has maintained his weight over the winter despite all that growing.

Here's Fatty McFat-Fat doing what she does best. Despite only having chaff (to keep her happy while the others eat) she is not thin and I'm not sure that she actually has ribs anymore. It should be better next winter when she can stay slim by carting me about.

Old TB, I can feel ribs despite the belly. IMO she's fine.

They all have ad-lib hay.

 

[BroadfordQueen]

If anyone could tell me how Giz is looking that'd be fab- only the one photo taken yesterday:

 

[Jake10]

Yes, 1-5 1-9 confooses my poor brain

I agree and like them on the 2 side of 3 but I know that I am in the minority. Is the system exactly the same for cattle? I'm very intrigued

The beef cow condition score I looked at and used as part of my course had a 1-9 score. With 1 being emaciated (No palpable fat on ribs, hipbones or back. The tail-head and ribs should project prominently. The cow should appear starving and weak) and 9 being extremely fat (The tail-head and hips buried in fatty tissue. Bone structure no longer visible and barely palpable. The cows mobility maybe impaired by fat deposits.). The ideal score is between 4 - borderline (Individual ribs are no longer visually obvious. Some fat cover over ribs and hip bones.) and 7 - good (Cow appears fleshy and obviously carries considerable fat. Very spongy fat cover over ribs and around tail-head. Some fat around vulva and crotch.). Ideally you should only breed them if they score between 4 and 7.

 

[Jesstickle]

the thing that makes them look worse than BH in my mind is big girl is seriously lacking muscle so her butt looks really scrawny, Ross is slightly better but not as good as BH muscle wise

I have this problem with Nits. Because she doesn't work she is scrawny and I find her much harder to score. Plus she is too floofy to do easily!

The photos of BH show what would be in my mind a fit horse that is currently hunting/eventing and looking good on it

It shows though how photos can give such a different perspective, looking at your video of him doing dressage recently I felt he looked fat, or at least rather rotund in his tummy area, I was therefore surprised to see how much leaner he looks without the saddle on.

He did look fatter on Saturday, he's tucked up a bit since hunting on Sunday. But you're right. It goes to show how easily you can be led astray. He obviously wasn't any thinner on Sunday when he finished than on Saturday, he'd just done some fast work. It's definitely not easy to judge by pictures.

Well I have two that are a bit leaner than I would idealy like and one that is a bit tubbier than I would like.

They don't look bad though F. I wouldn't be worried about either of your 'skinnys' from the pictures, although pics aren't everything of course. The grass is coming in now anyway. They'll be blimps in a month!

If anyone could tell me how Giz is looking that'd be fab- only the one photo taken yesterday:

I'd say that is a good solid 3. Exactly what I was hoping would pitch. Thank you Not that I am the expert in this game, you'd need a vet for that!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

They don't look bad though F. I wouldn't be worried about either of your 'skinnys' from the pictures, although pics aren't everything of course. The grass is coming in now anyway. They'll be blimps in a month!

Thanks.

They do look fatter in the photos compared to actually putting your hands on them. I'm looking forwards to having more grass but I may need a muzzle for Floss-Boss.

 

[rhino]

These 2 are from last year, funnily enough I posted them here and had quite a few people tell me he was too skinny Yes he was lacking muscle but we had been snowed in for about 6 weeks He's a long backed horse, branded wb but very much a tb type 20 in these pics C.S 2.5 to 3

This year, he injured his sdft badly in Sept so spent 3 months on box rest, and then restricted turnout.

Looks much fatter, but he has a mahoosive winter coat, ribs still easily felt etc. 21 now C.S 3 or 3.5 I would guess

Any comments welcome!

 

[1Lucie]

I havent got a pic but i would estimate my boy as a 2 . Its our first winter together and altho he's an iSh he's much a draught. He hasnt come through winter as easily as id hoped for but is currently on build up cubes and starting to put weight on steadily.

 

[Littlelegs]

I second 2.5 for bh & 3 for giz. I'd guess Ned at maybe 3 edging towards 3.5, but v difficult to guess with the more covered ones how much is loose versus muscle. I'd say faracats first pic is 2-2.5 allowing for coat. Mine are both 2.5, same as bh, will prob both be 3.5 by the time the grass goes when I winter them off again. It is difficult tho, if I put a pic of big pony up cos she's conniextb and naturally stockier than bh & also fleabitten grey, you'd never guess she has ribs.

 

[Nannon]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151375031470542&set=a.10150575226505542.667411.776530541&type=1&theater

[IMG]http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/425248_10151375031470542_776530541_23248714_1577349794_n.jpg

Jerry aged 19, wintered out with no rugs and no hard feed - Im a bad mum but this is the fattest Ive ever seen him! Ribs can be felt etc but not sticking out

 

[Arizahn]

OMG - Sorry! OH went a bit photo happy.....

 

[Littlelegs]

I'd go with your guesses rhino, shows how hard it is to judge from a pic tho, cos 1st he looks slightly more covered than the 2nd, but they look like they were taken on same day!

 

[Jesstickle]

rhino- he looked awesome last winter. Just how I like them to look. People tell me BH needs more on too.

Arizahn, what a mud monster what did you score her as? Although she looks to have a bit of a hay belly on her in the ones in her stable, I think that's quite deceptive and that actually she looks lovely condition wise when stood up on the yard.

 

[xRobyn]

Jess, BH is beautiful! Looks spot on for a fit horse of his type!

I have a tricky one. Good do-er, out of work since November (therefore unclipped), been on box rest since February. I've been lucky in managing to keep the weight off of him, occasionally feel he is a touch too heavy BUT ribs are VERY easily felt (and seen in the wrong light, despite the fluff).

How he looked just after injury (November)

And most recently in march

 

[dafthoss]

This is yellow pony last year

I dont have any of him nekkid this year to put up and I'm not home untill tomorrow afternoon so I can take some then.
I think he was about a 3, ribs were easily felt but not quite visible.

 

[Arizahn]

rhino- he looked awesome last winter. Just how I like them to look. People tell me BH needs more on too.

Arizahn, what a mud monster what did you score her as? Although she looks to have a bit of a hay belly on her in the ones in her stable, I think that's quite deceptive and that actually she looks lovely condition wise when stood up on the yard.

Thanks, she confuses me because as you say she looks different when she isn't in munch mode! I think she is around a 3.5/4...can feel her ribs easily but not see them.

 

[vallin]

Hopefully this will help people out with the scoring (all of the same horse, at different weights) feel free to contradict :

This I would say is a 4.5, no visible/palpable ribs, crest, 'apple' bottom

This I would say is a 4 (note: she although fat, she was relatively fit at this stage): ribs palpable, a less bottom, but still very well covered and cresty

What I'd call 'well' 3: Hips visible and ribs risible when moving/working

2.5 a bit lean with at visible ribs

 

[Arizahn]

Vallin - thank you, I would put Hippo at 3/3.5 when going by these images

 

[vallin]

Vallin - thank you, I would put Hippo at 3/3.5 when going by these images

No worries, others may say different so don't take them as gospel, but should give you a vague idea

 

[monkeybum13]

I think BH looks great, he really is beautiful.
Will have to get a picture of madam tomorrow in all her fat glory, she's a good doer for her height, despite being fit. She's not fat, she's curvy

 

[dafthoss]

I do have a very fat yellow pony photo from the day I got him about 6 months before the photo I posted further up
I would have said easliy a 4 if not a 4.5