A. Along Neck... B. Along the Withers... C. Crease Down Back... D. Tailhead... E. Ribs... F. Behind Shoulder
| Condition | Neck | Withers | Loin | Tailhead | Ribs | Shoulder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Poor | Bone structure easily noticeable | Bone structure easily noticeable | Spinous processes project prominently | Tailhead (pinbones) and hook bones projecting prominently | Ribs projecting prominently | Bone structure easily noticeable |
| Animal extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue | ||||||
| 2 Very Thin | Faintly discernible | Faintly discernible | Slight fat covering overbase of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent. | Tailhead prominent | Ribs prominent | Faintly discernible |
| 3 Thin | Neck accentuated | Withers accentuated | Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily discernible. Transverse processes cannot be felt. | Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded, but are still easily discernible. Pin bones not distinguishable. | Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernible. | Shoulder accentuated. |
| 4 Moderately Thin | Neck not obviously thin | Withers not obviously thin | Negative crease along back | Prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernible | Faint outline discernible | Shoulder not obviously thin |
| 5 Moderate | Neck blends smoothly into body | Withers rounded over spinous processes | Back level | Fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy | Ribs cannot be visually distinguished but can be easily felt | Shoulder blends smoothly into body |
| 6 Moderately Fleshy | Fat beginning to be depositted | Fat beginning to be deposited | May have slight positive crease down back | Fat around tailhead feels soft | Fat over ribs feels spongy | Fat beginning to be deposited |
| 7 Fleshy | Fat deposited along neck | Fat deposited along withers | May have positive crease down back | Fat around tailhead is soft | Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat | Fat deposited behind shoulder |
| 8 Fat | Noticeable thickening of neck | Area along withers filled with fat | Positive crease down back | Tailhead fat very soft | Difficult to feel ribs | Area behind shoulder filled in flush with body |
| Fat deposited along inner buttocks | ||||||
| 9 Extremely Fat | Bulging fat | Bulging fat | Obvious positive crease down back | Building fat around tailhead | Patchy fat appearing over ribs | Bulging fat |
| Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush | ||||||
