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A. Along the neck |
D. Tailhead |
Animal extremely emaciated; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae (hip joints), and ischia (lower pelvic bones) projecting prominently; bone structure of withers, shoulders, and neck easily noticeable; no fatty tissue can be felt.
2. Very Thin
Animal emaciated; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes, transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded; spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae (hip joints) and ischia (lower pelvic bones) prominent; withers, shoulders, and neck structure faintly discernable.
3. Thin
Fat buildup about halfway on spinous processes; transverse processes cannot be felt; slight fat cover over ribs; spinous processes and ribs easily discernable; tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be identified visually; tuber coxae (hip joints), appear rounded but easily discernable;
tuber ischia (lower pelvic bones) not distinguishable; withers, shoulders and neck accentuated.
4. Moderately Thin
Slight ridge along back; faint outline of ribs discernible; tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it; tuber coxae (hip joints) not discernable; withers, shoulders and neck not obviously thin.
5. Moderate
Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not visually distinguishable but easily felt; fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy; withers appear rounded over spinous processes; shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.
6. Moderately Fleshy
May have slight crease down back; fat over ribs spongy; fat around tailhead soft; fat beginning to be deposited along the side of withers, behind shoulders, and along sides of neck.
7. Fleshy
May have slight crease down back; individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat; fat around tailhead soft; fat deposited along withers, behind shoulders,and along neck.
8. Fat
Crease down back; difficult to feel ribs, fat around tailhead very soft; fat area along withers filled with fat, area behind shoulder filled with fat, noticeable thickening of neck; fat deposited along inner thighs.
9. Extremely Fat
Obvious crease down back; patchy fat appearing over ribs, bulging fat around tailhead; along withers, behind shoulders and along neck, fat along inner thighs may rub together; flank filled with fat.
The Henneke Chart and System
Generic Horse which is neither designed nor intended to be used as a gauge or guide for any other purpose than to define areas described in the wording. The Henneke System should be used only by qualified persons possessing a great deal of knowledge of the conformational attributes and qualities of the Breed of Horse being evaluated, and that in order for the score given to be accurate. In addition, a knowledge of pre-evaluation use of the Horse is also necessary. For instance, a Mare who has been used for Breeding and has Foaled multiple times will have a wider pelvis than a maiden mare, and that width progresses with age and foaling. The age of the Horse is also a major factor in Body Score. Proper scoring does not produce Whole Numbers, but 10ths of numbers, as well. In other words, and more realistic score is produced, and a more realistic picture drawn, when the score is "4.5" as opposed to "4.0" or "5". Though it is not directly explained, the "creases down the back" can be either convex or concave; Concave meaning that the spine is basically invisible, or recessed into the flesh, and convex meaning that the spine rises above the ribs, and both are readily visible.
Horses scoring less than a 3 normally need immediate intensive Veterinary Care. Horses with this score are usually extremely dehydrated and usually must be placed on IV therapy.
My point with this is to have readers understand that proper use of this System requires Training, Knowledge, and wide ranging experience with various breeds of Horses, and sound knowledge of Equine Anatomy, as well.