Possible Reasons for a
Low Body Condition Score

by Gail Damerow

Some horses may have a low score, even though they may be perfectly healthy. Factors that can reduce the score of a healthy horse:

• Pregnancy—
  In the last trimester, the hormones needed for delivery, coupled with the weight of the foal pulling down the loin area, reduces a mare's score.
  
  
• Age—
  As a horse gets older its muscle structure softens, causing its body condition score to go down.

Gail Damerow is editor of Rural Heritage.