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SPILLERS: Monitoring weight, body condition & muscle mass

Senior horses, just like their younger stable mates and field companions, come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your golden oldie is battling the bulge or prone to weight loss, enjoying retirement or still out competing, monitoring their weight and body condition regularly will help you to spot gradual changes and decide if any changes diet and/ or management may be needed.

What is my horse’s ideal weight and body condition?

What is considered ideal varies between individuals for both weight and body condition score (BCS). Although monitoring your horse’s weight regularly is useful, when it comes to health and diet, their body condition or ‘fat coverage’ is equally, if not more important than their actual weight.

A BCS of 5 out 9 is described as ‘moderate’ and generally considered ideal, 3 is ‘thin’ and a score of 7 or above is considered obese. However, seasonal fluctuations are natural, particularly for natives, and what is considered healthy or acceptable may vary between individuals and the time of year. For example:

  • Provided they are not laminitic and slim down over the winter, a BCS of 6/9 at the end of summer is generally considered acceptable for good doers and may be ideal for poor doers going into winter.
  • A BCS of 4.5/9 at the start of spring may be ideal for good doers.
  • A BCS of 6/9 may be ideal for mares pre-foaling.

Weigh tapes

Most owners don’t have the luxury of regular (if any) access to a weigh bridge, making a weigh tape a more practical option. Although they may under or over-estimate your horse/ pony’s actual weight, if used correctly, they can be a useful way of monitoring gradual changes.

  • Make sure your horse is stood as squarely as possible on a firm, level surface.
  • Place the weigh tape over the horse’s back at the base of the withers, Next, bring the tape underneath the girth area just behind the foreleg and elbow.
  • Check your weigh tape is correctly positioned. It is likely it will be on a slight angled line (/). Incorrect positioning will affect the accuracy so always check the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Always use the same weigh tape to help improve accuracy when comparing measurements over time.
  • Try to monitor your horse’s weight weekly, ideally at the same time of day as changes in gut fill can affect the result – this why most of us prefer to stand on the scales first thing in the morning!
  • Remember weigh tapes are not accurate for pregnant mares.

Body condition scoring

Body condition scoring is a practical method of assessing body fat by eye and by touch. Several areas where fat is commonly laid down are scored using a numerical grading system, most commonly a 1-9 or 0-5 scale. We recommend using the more widely validated (scientifically tested) 1-9 scale, but which ever system you use, the important thing is to apply it consistently.

  • A lack of muscle mass may be mistaken for a lack of fat.
  • ‘Softer’ muscle in senior or unexercised horses may be mistaken for excess fat.
  • Those with PPID may have large regional fat deposits in areas such as the crest or loin despite being thin overall. In these situations, body condition scoring systems should be used with caution – speak to a nutrition advisor for more advice.

Quick guide to body condition scoring using the 1-9 scale

  1. Make sure your horse is stood as squarely as possible on a firm level surface.
  2. Score each of the six areas (neck, withers, shoulder, loins, ribs and tailhead) individually – half scores are allowed.
  3. Calculate the average (add the scores together and divide by 6) to determine the final score.

Tips for monitoring & improving consistency

  • Body condition scoring is best carried out by the same person but getting a second opinion from time to time may be helpful – staying objective when scoring your own horse can sometimes be difficult.
  • Always have the score descriptors on hand, even if you have a lot of experience.
  • Always approach the score descriptors in the same way i.e. from the lowest number up or the highest down and decide which bests describes your horse.
  • Remember you need to look and feel – remove your horse’s rug and make sure you’re not wearing gloves!
  • Keep a record of your horse’s BCS so you can track changes – remember to include the date and score for each body area individually! Although it’s difficult to body condition score from photographs alone, taking pictures regularly can be useful too!

Why not try using our online BCS calculator.

The new body condition index (BCI)

The new Body Condition Index (BCI) is a method of assessing and monitoring body fat, similar to the Body Mass Index (BMI) used in humans. It’s been specifically developed to identify excess weight gain, with horses and ponies scoring 18-22 likely to be overweight, and those scoring more than 22 likely to be obese. A mathematical equation using five body measurements – height, heart-girth, belly-girth, length and neck circumference - is used to calculate the horse’s final BCI score. While this might sound complicated, our easy-to-use tool does all the maths for you; all you need to do is enter your horse/ pony’s measurements into the calculator.

If you’re concerned your super senior is piling on the pounds and are unfamiliar with body condition scoring, the new BCI may be just thing for you. However, it’s not suitable for those with a pot belly which can occur in some horses and ponies with PPID.

Belly girth

Measured around the widest point of the trunk (belly) with the tape positioned in a straight line, belly-girth can be a very sensitive indicator of generalised fat loss in response to changes in diet. This perhaps makes it one of the most useful weight monitoring tools in overweight horses and ponies. Monitoring heart girth can also be very useful.

Heart girth

Heart girth is measured as the horse/ pony breathes out by passing a tape measure immediately behind the base of the withers and the elbows (see BCI image for positioning).

Muscle matters

Many owners report that their older horse has lost muscle tone, but this observation may not be a direct effect of ageing.  In fact, a reduction in exercise may have a greater effect on muscle tone than ageing per se. While some degree of muscle wastage may occur with ageing, it can also be caused by lack of exercise, malnutrition, injury, poor saddle fit, some forms of tying up and certain other conditions. Muscle wastage can affect health and welfare in a number of ways, including a reduced ability to work or even simply getting up after laying down.

Contact your vet if you notice your horse has lost muscle, especially if it seems sudden or severe as this may be a sign of injury or disease, particularly if there have been no changes in work or diet. It’s important not assume muscle wastage is ‘just part of the ageing process’ as it may be due to something that can addressed e.g., saddle fit, or treated.  You can also try using our muscle scoring tool, perhaps with the help of your vet or physio initially.