1. Poor

Animal is extremely emaciated. Spinous processes (portion of the vertebra of the backbone that projects upward), ribs, tailhead and bony protrusions of the
pelvic girdle (hooks and pins) are prominent. Bone structure of the withers, shoulders and neck are easily noticeable. No fatty tissues can be felt.

2. Very Thin

Animal is emaciated. Slight fat covering over base of the spinous processes. Transverse processes (portion of vertebrae that projects outward) of lumbar (loin area) vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes, ribs, shoulders and neck structures are faintly discernible.

3. Thin.

Fat is built up about halfway on spinous processes. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Slight fat cover over ribs. Spinous processes
and ribs are easily discernible. Tailhead is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones (protrusion of
pelvis girdle appearing in upper, forward part of the hip) appear rounded, but are easily discernible. Pin bones (bony projections of
pelvis girdle located toward rear, mid-section of the hip) are not distinguishable. Withers, shoulders and neck are accentuated.

4. Moderately Thin

 Negative crease along back (spinous processes of vertebrae protrude slightly above surrounding tissue).
Faint outline of ribs is discernible. Fat can be felt around tailhead (prominence depends on conformation). Hook bones are not discernible. Withers, shoulders and neck are not obviously thin.

5. Moderate

Back is level. Ribs cannot be visually distinguished, but can be easily felt. Fat around tailhead begins to feel spongy. Withers appear
rounded over spinous processes. Shoulders and neck blend smoothly into body.

6. Moderate to Fleshy

May have slight crease down back. Fat over ribs feels spongy. Fat around tailhead feels soft. Fat begins to be deposited along the sides of the
withers, behind shoulders and along neck.

7. Fleshy

May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling of fat between ribs. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat is
deposited along withers, behind shoulders and along neck.

8. Fat

Crease down back. Difficult to feel ribs. Fat around tailhead is very soft. Area along withers is filled with fat. Area behind shoulder is filled in flush with rest
of the body. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat is deposited along inner buttocks.

9. Extremely Fat

Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appears over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Fat along inner
buttocks may rub together. Flank is filled in flush with rest of the body.