I am happy to report that the beast is starting to look really good now. Upon further reading, especially about the Henneke scale, I'm come to realize that he might always show a little rib - even when he is a 4 or 5 on the scale.
Here's the Henneke scale and condition chart.
According to the Kentucky Horse Council, the optimal condition score for an event horse is 4-5. For a dressage horse, 5-7.
Here is my assessment of Hampton as of today (using the Henneke scale)
Neck: Really has filled out within the last 30 days.
Withers: Not obviously thin. Pretty average looking.
Shoulder: Rounded, blends well into the body.
Topline: Back is level. There is no ridge nor a "gully."
Ribs: He appears ribby in certain light, while in other lights you can't see them at all.
Tailhead: Some fat can be felt
Point of hip: Hips slightly pointy, but might be his conformation.
Twist: (this is the arena between the buttcheeks): This area looks excellent - no space, even some fat.
Rating: 4.5 (maybe even a 5 depending on who you ask)
I think we're on the right track. He could use maybe another 20-30 pounds. And you know - why is it that some people think that if you horse isn't fat, that he's underweight? Is a 7 or an 8 on the Henneke scale the new optimal weight?
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| April 2010 |
I would guess that my horse Grace is at a 5.5 right now.Very fit, but a little extra fat just the way I like her. I could not imagine having a show horse at a 7 or 8 on the scale. Glad to hear that Hampton is doing well!
ReplyDeleteHampton looks a bit like my mare weight wise. He's young, right? I think my mare goes through stages (she's 4) of looking like a proper horse, then she gets all ribby and gangly again as a growth spurt occurs. She doesn't really get any taller (I think, I've never sticked her) but she fills out. I've just added a little full fat soybean meal to her feed to see if that helps fill out her ribs a little.
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