The Progressive Rancher Magazine

More documents

Recommendations

Info

DR. Margaret, Ph.D. How to Condition Score Horses Dr. Margaret Winsryg, Ph.D. 208-308-0106 MNM Consulting Services Condition scoring is a handy management tool to assess relative body fat without the use of scales, gadgets, calculators or anything other than your hands, eyes and a little experience. Condition scoring was originally developed at Condition Score 2: Very Thin: Bony Texas A&M University for use in broodmares, but has since been developed for use in structures of the neck, shoulders and withers are other species of livestock as well. Horses are assigned a score between 1 and 9; 1 being faintly discernible. Spinous processes, ribs, top a very emaciated animal, and 9 being an extremely obese animal. line, point of hip and buttock are prominent. Noticeable First, condition scoring is independent of a horse’s breed, muscling or aerobic fitness, space between inner buttocks. Animal conformation, age, hydration or gut fill. Condition scoring is an assessment only of the is emaciated. amount of body fat covering certain skeletal landmarks on the body, such as the point of the hip and buttocks, ribs, spine and so on. While some of the observation points (such as through the hindquarters or around the tail head) are also areas occupied by muscle, manual palpation and a little practice will easily differentiate between fat and muscle. Horses with a gut full of hay may look very rounded at first glance, but the prominence Condition Score 3: Thin: Neck, withers and shoulder are accentuated, but not obviously of the skeleton will not change upon closer inspection. Likewise, a dehydrated horse will thin. Tail head is prominent. Slight fat cover over ribs, but still easily discernible. appear tucked-up and long through the underline, but prominence of the landmarks will Spinous processes, point of hip and point of buttock are rounded, but easily discernible. not significantly change. Twist is filled in, but without noticeable deposition of fatty tissue. There are nine areas throughout the body: 1) Neck 2) Withers 3) Shoulder 4) The area directly behind the elbow 5) Top line 6) Ribs 7) Tail head 8) Point of hip 9) Point of buttock Each area should be appraised and scored individually and then the scores averaged to produce a final overall score. This doesn’t mean you need to laboriously write down and Condition Score 4: Moderately Thin: Neck, calculate each area. What it does mean is that you need to look at the total horse and take withers and shoulders are not obviously thin. Ribs into account individual differences. Some horses can be quite plump in the stomach area are faintly discernible. Point of hips and buttocks and yet still look a little ribby, (example a brood mare) so the overall score should look at are not visually discernible. Fat can be felt around areas other than just those ribs. Other horses can have quite a bit of fat cover, but because the tail head, prominence somewhat dependent of funny conformation through the croup, look thin in just that one area. Be sure to look at upon conformation. There is a slight negative all the areas, then form a general overall score based on individual areas of observation. crease (a ridge) along the top line, especially over When appraising each area, use your hands as well as your eyes. Skeletal landmarks the loins and hindquarters. can be hidden by a furry winter coat, dirt, lighting or just the way the horse is standing. Hold your hand flat, fingers together, and feel for the reference points. Then walk around Condition Score 5: Moderate: Neck, withers and shoulder appear rounded and blend the horse and see if your observations are consistent from the other side as well. smoothly into the body. Ribs cannot be seen but are easily felt. Back is level with neither a The descriptions for the individual categories are as follows: ridge nor a gully along the top line. Fat around tail head is beginning to feel spongy. Slight Condition Score 1: Emaciated: Bony structures of neck, shoulders and withers easily amount of discernible fat deposited between buttocks (twist). noticeable. Spinous processes, along the ribs, top line, point of hip and point of buttock all project prominently, with an obvious ridge down the back. Individual vertebrae may be identifiable. There is significant space between inner buttocks (“twist”). The animal is extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue can be felt. Condition Score 6: Moderately Fleshy: Fat beginning to be deposited along the neck, withers and shoulders. Fat over the ribs beginning to feel spongy, ribs cannot easily be felt. Fat around tail head feels soft. May be slight positive crease (gully) along the top line. Noticeable fat deposition between buttocks. 32 December 2009 The Progressive Rancher www.progressiverancher.com
Condition Score 7: Fleshy: Fat deposited along neck and withers and behind shoulder. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling between ribs. Slight positive crease down back. Fat around tail head feels soft. Condition Score 8: Fat: Noticeable thickening of neck. Area along withers is filled with fat; area behind shoulder is filled in flush with body. Ribs cannot be felt; noticeable positive crease down back, fat around tail head is very soft. Significant fat deposited along inner buttocks. Condition Score 9: Extremely Fat: Bulging fat along neck, shoulders and withers. Flank is filled in flush. Patchy fat appearing over ribs, obvious positive crease down back. Obvious fat deposited along inner buttocks. With winter approaching our horses are getting very thick coats so don’t forget to score your horse a few times this winter because you may not see weight loss but you will feel it. It is much easier to fix a problem before they lose too much weight. Try new Trilution, a complete supplement with Vitamin, mineral, direct fed microbials, enzymes and antioxidants. Vitamin and minerals take care of the horse nutrient requirements and the direct fed microbials, enzymes and antioxidants improve hind gut health as well as build tier immune system. Call Dr. Margaret Winsryg for a 10 lbs. bucket 208-308-0106. YOUR BUSINESS DESERVES THE SAME RESPECT YOU GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS. The decisions you make Today can have a lasTing impacT on your fuTure. sTarT by choosing edward Jones. At Edward Jones, you’ll get more than respect. We’ll help your business gain a financial advantage. Together, we can YOUR design an BUSINESS individual program for DESERVES your business, with the kinds of tools and options you’ll really use, such as: THE SAME RESPECT YOU GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS. Market Business volatility Credit can make Card you with second-guess Rewards your long-term investment At Edward 401(k)s strategy. Jones, and Other You you’ll may get Retirement have more questions, than respect. Plans and We’ll it’s essential help that your your business financial gain services a financial firm advantage. and financial Together, advisor we provide can design Insurance individual Programs you with the attention you program deserve for to your help business, ensure with you’re the on kinds Business of tools and Continuation options you’ll Planning really use, such as: track to meet your long-term financial goals. Business Wide Credit Range Card of Investment with Rewards Options and Strategies At Edward 401(k)s Jones, and Other we believe Retirement our unique, Plans face-to-face approach Call makes your local us best-suited financial advisor to serve today. long-term investors, Insurance Programs especially when it comes to meeting their current needs Business Continuation Sonny Davidson Planning and future financial goals. Financial Advisor Wide Range . of Investment Options and Strategies 2213 North 5th Street Suite A Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811 Call today to schedule a complimentary financial review. Call your local financial advisor today. Sonny Davidson Sonny Davidson Financial Advisor . 2213 North 5th Street Suite A Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811 Financial Advisor . 2213 North 5th Street Suite A Elko, NV 89801 775-738-8811 neW www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC ProduCT! Tombstone BullTuff Feeder • Accommodates Large Bales • Strong, Study And Safe For All Animals • Accommodates 20 Head www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC Sale Price Only available Oct. - nOv., 2009 TombsTone bullTuff feeder $ 700 00 Visit us on the web at www.bosstanks.com! BOSS TANKS 775-738-2677 7861 East Idaho St. • Elko, Nevada Each www.progressiverancher.com The Progressive Rancher December 2009 33
Page 2 and 3: In this Issue... Nevada Cattlemen
Page 4 and 5: UPDATE Ro n Ce r r i Nevada Cattlem
Page 6 and 7: Back to Basics Cooperative Extensio
Page 8 and 9: Back to Basics Cooperative Extensio
Page 10 and 11: By Julie Kay Smithson, property rig
Page 12 and 13: SPONSORS Profitable strategies to h
Page 14 and 15: BEEF CHECKOFF NEWS News From the Ne
Page 16 and 17: Interior, Agriculture Secretaries t
Page 18 and 19: John Carpenter Dan Gralian, John Ca
Page 20 and 21: 7th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Ass
Page 22 and 23: People are often unreasonable, illo
Page 24 and 25: A continuation of the SCIENTIST CON
Page 26 and 27: ➤ ➤ Winnemucca ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
Page 28 and 29: SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT Wild H
Page 30 and 31: Photo Laurie Errington-10/09 Cory S
Page 34 and 35: The Progressive Rancher Coloring Co
Page 36: PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit

The Progressive Rancher Magazine

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?