[Blistering Winds]

Cassie 4.5 nicely rounded all over and ribs are seen but not felt.

This statement cannot be. Period. If you can't feel the ribs but they are "seen", something is not right. You have an obese horse in the 8-9 range with fat ribbed layers protruding. (I can bet you typed it out backwards.... )

If you cannot visually see the ribs, then by definition, the horse is a BCS of 5 and above. if you can see the ribs at an angle, BCS of 4.5 - 5.

That is what was lectured recently to me again.

[Arabians4ME]

Originally Posted by Blistering Winds

This statement cannot be. Period. If you can't feel the ribs but they are "seen", something is not right. You have an obese horse in the 8-9 range with fat ribbed layers protruding. (I can bet you typed it out backwards.... )

If you cannot visually see the ribs, then by definition, the horse is a BCS of 5 and above. if you can see the ribs at an angle, BCS of 4.5 - 5.

That is what was lectured recently to me again.

Okay I think I confused myself now...

Question: A horse that is carries weight well all over itself but ribs are still visible what's it's score?

Thanks!

[Blistering Winds]

Originally Posted by Arabians4ME

Okay I think I confused myself now...

Question: A horse that is carries weight well all over itself but ribs are still visible what's it's score?

Thanks!

if ribs can be seen barely, 4.5 - 4.75 if all other areas are "good to go"

foundation horses can really throw it for a loop, because they can look very good, but still score under 5 because of the rib coverage.

Not much muscle occurs over the ribs. it is the first fat coverage off during weight loss, and last on during weight gain.

Ribs are a "key" area to the score. Bring in all the other areas on top of it (fat coverage, not muscle coverage)....gives you the overall score.

MOST racing TB's are highly fit, extremely muscular, however the best score a peak race horse is usually in is 4.5-4.75 due to the lack of fat % on the body. The ribs will remain visible at various angles. Since muscle does not build over the ribs, nothing like it does in the shoulders, hips, and even neck area....ribs remain the key area to determine if the horse is above or below a BCS of 5. Take all other areas into consideration to determine how far over or under....

Ribs are not visualized yet felt good when 5 and above, as once you stop feeling them easily to not at all..., you have reached the BCS 6 range and above, and when you have an obese horse, and THINK you see ribs, you are pushing 8 because the fat layers around the ribs "ripple" it seems....almost "riblike" but it isn't ribs....hard to describe till you get your hands on an 8.

Make sense?

I don't see any of your horses you posted in the 3 range at all. From pictures alone, I wouldn't say any are near the solid low 4 score. But the 4 range is easier depicted in person, due to whether certain areas are fat vs muscle, and how easy or hard it is to visualize the ribs.

if you can count them in a pic, you are pushing the solid 4 maybe less....and more likely than not below 4.5 from what I've noticed in doing picture BCS's and in person BCS's.

[Blistering Winds]

the mare sky you posted, the picture alone, I do not see a horse under 4.5. At the angle posted, usually ribs are rippled a bit at a 4.5, and EASILY counted at a 3.5, even in a picture.....

here are some good pics for 4.5 and above...doesn't show the top of the back though...

http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/pr%5Feyas/body.htm

[Blistering Winds]

Blister's ribs...could easily be argued ribs alone in the low 4 range when you put hands on him in person....4.5 at the most....but that would be pushing it.





If you take muscling into affect, someone can argue he's low 4 and someone who knows nothing of horses and BCS scored him in the 3 range....when he isn't (3 range would include more hip protrusion, more spine processes felt and seen)

I don't see any of your horses with those visible of ribs. Which is why I kept my scores higher than I guess you thought.

I've seen a 3-4....and even in pictures, your horses do not come close to it.


Does that help???

I'd definitely be interested in what the forage scoring thing says.....and why.

[Arabians4ME]

You've had a bit more experience scoring than I have so I have to go with ya!! Thanks for the help!

I will too. It'll be really neat. If all goes as planned Friday the rescue I have been caring for will be going also. She has the clear we just have to see how court goes. *send good thoughts on that one*

Anyway they will be scored and then weighed on scales. So that will be really neat!

If you were going to take 5 who would you take. Well 4 from this group. I need a variety of weights. I think Cassie Dixie Rebel Kriz or Penny would be good ones. I can't decide though thus my asking this?!

[Blistering Winds]

I'd take Rebel, Dixie, and Touch for sure....giving you a wide variety of weight and body "build" as well.

dixie or sky

and cassie.

[Arabians4ME]

We'll have to see how Touch cooperates but I think he would be a good one too.

Thanks for the help BW!!!

[Dawn]

You have to take into account that most of these are arabs or arab crosses. As a general rule, they're hips are not going to fit into the bcs scoring system. It's a conformational 'thing', and they're just different like that. To get the hips covered on most arabs, you would have an extremely overweight horse. This is why you have to take everything into account, not just specific areas. It's more of an average of all areas than a highest/lowest score.

I would take Rebel, Sky, Cassie, Kriz, and Touch personally. Provides examples of different body types, different ages, and different bcs's.

My farrier's going to be there and probably bringing one or two horses. Sounds like it will be very interesting. And hopefully informative as well.

Do you know who's putting it on?

[Arabians4ME]

Originally Posted by Dawn

You have to take into account that most of these are arabs or arab crosses. As a general rule, they're hips are not going to fit into the bcs scoring system. It's a conformational 'thing', and they're just different like that. To get the hips covered on most arabs, you would have an extremely overweight horse. This is why you have to take everything into account, not just specific areas. It's more of an average of all areas than a highest/lowest score.

I would take Rebel, Sky, Cassie, Kriz, and Touch personally. Provides examples of different body types, different ages, and different bcs's.

My farrier's going to be there and probably bringing one or two horses. Sounds like it will be very interesting. And hopefully informative as well.

Do you know who's putting it on?

Yes. I actually was who coordinated it. I got the ball rolling and turned it over to the right hands. Let's hope anyway.

Nathan the Nutrena rep is doing a spill on nutritition, Dr. Harper is doing a bit on BCS, and there might be a few other minor things happening. We did not get the response desired to bring in the other people or it would have been fabulous.

The last I heard your farrier had backed out on bringing horses. I hope there is a variety there though. Maybe I can talk Adam in to hauling Touch seperately. I do think he would be a good one to take, especially the more I think about it.


I have a new flyer if you would like I can e-mail it to you. Theres going to be some good food there!