1 Poor
Animal extremely emaciated: spinous processes, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae, and tuber ischii projecting prominently: bone structure of withers, shoulders and neck easily noticeable; no fatty tissue can be felt.
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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, and tuber ischii prominent; withers, shoulders and neck structure faintly discernable.
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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 appear rounded but easily discernable; tuber ischii not distinguishable; withers, shoulders and neck accentuated. |
4 Moderately Thin
Slight ridged along back; faint outline of ribs discernable; tailhead prominence depends on conformation, fat can be felt around it; tuber coxae not discernable; withers, shoulders and neck not obviously thin.
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5 Moderate
Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not usually 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 fleshy/spongy; fat around tailhead soft; fat beginning to be deposited along sides of withers, behind shoulders and along sides of neck. |
7 Fleshy
May have 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; 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. |