Assess your horse's condition with body index
The horse body index is a simple number that relates weight to height (wither height). It gives a quick indication of whether the horse is under-, normal- or overweight. The calculator uses the ratio of weight to the square of wither height.
How to interpret the body index
A body index below 2.0 indicates underweight โ the horse may lack energy and muscle. An index between 2.0 and 2.5 is considered normal and healthy. An index above 2.5 suggests overweight, which can stress joints and increase the risk of laminitis and metabolic diseases.
Body index vs. Body Condition Score
The body index is a supplementary tool to the more detailed Body Condition Score (BCS), where fat deposits are visually and manually assessed on 6 body areas on a scale of 1-9. BCS requires experience, while the body index provides a quick objective number based on measurements.
What to do about deviations
For underweight, gradually increase feed and investigate for illness, parasites or dental problems. For overweight, reduce feed and increase exercise. Always contact your vet for significant deviations or sudden weight changes.
Limitations
The body index does not account for breed, musculature or body type. A heavy warmblood and a light Arabian of the same height will have very different normal values. Always use the index together with visual assessment.