Condition scoring advice

[JaniceH]

Seeing that I deal with mainly little ponies, I have decided to increase my knowledge on condition scoring as they are obviously a little bit more prone to laminitis due to only a small difference in food making a difference in body weight. I am ok when they are too fat, seeing an 'apple' bottom, with a groove over the top of their rump and fat deposits on their neck, and a large belly, but I am not totally sure what is ok and what is a bit thin. I was reading something that said you should aim of a condition score of 3.5, but what exactly does that look like in a pony. To give an example to critique, what condition score is Blaze, I felt that he was a bit thin over the pelvis bones as you could see the top edges of them, but that he was quite chunky everywhere else. Which doesnt really make sense.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v663/JaniceHope/Blaze9.jpg

[Bay Mare]

The Laminitis Clinic condition scoring (http://www.laminitisclinic.org/condition%20scoring.html)

I won't even try and condition score, I'm bad enough in 'the flesh' so to speak. I know underweight and overweight and normal but anything out of the ordinary foxes me :)

[Bebe]

Very very hard to do from a photo, particularly when they're wearing winter furries.

I tend to be quite hard on Bebe when I condition score her, I quite often get told that she looks fine or really well when I think she's on the plump side. At the moment I'd put her at a 4 on the scale (out of 5) but most people probably think she's fine.

From the pic alone, I'd say Blaze was a 3.5 at the moment, the lack of rounding on his rump & prominent hipbones looks more like lack of work than weight (sorry if that's completely wrong!). He doesn't appear to have an apple bum or channel down his back but the spine isn't prominent. His belly is round but not huge and his neck looks normal sized.

It's very hard to tell without prodding and poking various bits!

[chev]

Am I right in thinking that Blaze is an older pony? ;) That often makes a difference - lots of veterans tend to have more obvious pelvic bones and sometimes spine, while still being well covered elsewhere. With them, although you need to aim to improve the topline if possible (work more than food, usually), try and make sure that ribs can be easily felt with a little pressure (they should be covered but you shouldn't have to press too hard to find them). The neck should be covered but there shouldn't be a hard crest, or lumps in the crest.

It's very very hard to tell on furry ponies, especially when they're older, but don't worry too much about hips if they're ok elsewhere. Blaze actually looks ok to me - his neck is good, I imagine his ribs are not that easy to find, and the point of his shoulder isn't too prominant. If he was mine I'd be making sure his worming program is working (I'd do a worm count) and have his teeth checked, but he looks pretty much ok in that pic.

[shandy84]

Blaze is easily 20 Chev, it's hard for me to condition score him with all the fluff and the age shape, but he didn't feel ribby at all when we were grooming him.

[chev]

In which case I wouldn't worry. If he's not ribby, and he's in his twenties then he's doing just fine. He may well never really put much on over his hips and pelvis now, but as long as he's not thin anywhere else (like ribs, neck and point of shoulder) and he's happy and lively then there's not much wrong. :)

[Wally]

The trouble is, with these Shetland types, they do vary in shape and can look like they have a big belly but not the cover on the ribs and withers to match.

I always get into trouble by over feeding our cows. A cattle man knows that bits stick out on cows naturally.....I have this urge to fill them in and make them horse shaped!!

Anyway. He looks fine in the picture, okay so he has withers, (well an hint) Shetland types are not known for this but they do and in most cases should have them. Flat shapless withers are a sign of over fat. Even Andrew Pants has withers of a sort, Whiffy doesn't and her weight is a much bigger problem than his.

In winter if you cannot feel ribs without pushing too hard then don't worry. Looking for a tucked up belly by the stifles will tell you too if they are coming up too light generally.

He has good cover and muscle on his neck, Feel the points of his hips too and the top of his croup, if these feel well padded under the fur don't worry.

You have to guage these furry guys in winter by feel not on looks so much.

He looks bright and perky and has a good fluffy winter coat. Never worry about him at the moment.

[JaniceH]

Thanks for that guys that's brilliant info. His teeth are fine as he has just been seen by the dentist and yes he is older, probably in his young 20's. What was confusing me was that he felt ok everywhere, but I could see his hip bones. But at least if I know thats ok and to watch him to make sure that he doesnt get any thinner, or equally any fatter! then I know what to look for under all that fluff! Its just interesting to find out more about these things. The more I know about what to look for, as you gave me the points I should be looking at, then the more able I am to understand. Blazes owner is pretty hot on laminitis as her other pony is a sufferer so he is in good hands, but I do need to have an understanding of it all too. Bebe - Blaze has only been driven about once a fortnight over the winter, so yes he hasnt had much work, but from now on he will be driven at least twice a week (RDA and me :D :D) and there are quite a few little hills that he has trot up so that will help. Considering the little guy was rescued from the meat man for £50 five years ago, and has not always been the pony he is now, he is bright and perky and always willing to work.

[Esther.D]

Mac looks very like Blaze condition-wise - Mac is 24 and if his weight drops a little he tends to have slightly prominent hips and wither but still a belly...everything has just gone south with age ;) :D When he is well covered on the hips etc he tends to actually be rather overweight. However he is coming into more work again this year so his topline hopefully will improve :)