University of wisconsin-madison

Body Condition Score

diagram of lumbar vertebra
The lines show the flesh profile for the BCS indicated.
Condition
Neck
Withers
Loin

Tailhead, Pins
& Hooks

Ribs
Shoulders

1

Poor

Bone structure easily noticeable. Animal extremely emaciated, no fatty tissue can be felt Bone structure easily noticeable Prominent spinous processes. Tailhead, hooks and pins project prominently Ribs project prominently Noticeable bone structure on shoulder

2

Very Thin

Neck faintly discernible. Animal emaciated. Withers faintly discernible. Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumber vertebrae feel rounded Spinous processes are prominent. Tailhead, hooks and pins project prominently Ribs prominent. Shoulder faintly discernible

3

Thin

Neck accentuated Withers accentuated Fat built up about halfway on spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Tailhead prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but easily discernible. Spinous processes easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable. Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible. Shoulder accentuated.

4

Moderately Thin

Neck not obviously thin. Withers not obviously thin. Spinous process (ridge) along back Tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it. Hook bones not discernible. Faint outline of ribs discernible. Shoulder not obviously thin.

5

Moderate

Neck blends smoothly into body Withers appear rounded over spinous processes Back is level Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt Shoulder blends smoothly into body

6

Moderate to Fleshy

Fat beginning to be deposited Fat beginning to be deposited May have slight crease down back. Fat around tailhead feels soft Fat over ribs feels spongy Fat beginning to be deposited

7

Fleshy

Fat deposited along neck. Fat deposited along withers. May have crease down back. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat deposited behind shoulders.

8

Fat

Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat deposited along inner buttocks. Area along withers filled with fat. Fat deposited along inner buttocks. Crease down back. Fat around tailhead very soft Difficult to palpate ribs. Area behind shoulder filled in flush

9

Extremely Fat

Bulging fat Bulging fat Obvious crease down back Bulging fat around tailhead. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush Patchy fat appearing over ribs Bulging fat.

Henneke et al., 1983. Eq. Vet. J. 15:371.

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