马房管理：衡量马的体况

Knowing how to score condition is a very handy tool when managing an equestrian stable, buying, assessing and feeding riding and racing horses. The body score can be determined without using scales or similar gadgets, relying on your hands and eyes. Horses are assigned body scores ranging from 1 to 9, 1 being emaciated and 9 obese.   
管理马房，买卖、评估、喂养、骑乘马和赛马时，能了解马的体况指数，是一种非常方便的工具。体况指数不需要秤或类似的衡量工具，手摸眼观即可。马的评估标准被设计为9个等级，从1到9即是从瘦到胖。

Be aware that the body score has nothing to do with breed, muscular development, fitness, confirmation, age, hydration or gut fill. The condition score only determines the amounts of fat deposited on the horses body.
马匹的体况评分是不受以下因素影响：品种，肌肉塑造状况、身体素质、结构、年龄，是否喝够了水或吃饱了肚子 。体况指数只评估马匹身体的脂肪储存情况。

Some horses, thoroughbreds in particular, may have a high bony wither, but even then fat deposits determine the conditioning score. The areas used to determine the size of fat deposits are skeletal landmarks such as the hips, buttocks, rib cage and spine. Some areas are also occupied by muscle, such as the tail-head, but the difference between muscle and fat can easily be felt by palpation.      
有些马，特别是纯血马，或许会有高耸的马肩隆（马肩胛骨间隆起部分），即便如此其体况指数评分也应由脂肪储存情况决定。通常来说，髋部，臀部，肋骨架，脊柱等部位的脂肪储存情况是判断马匹的体况评分最重要骨骼坐标。虽然有些部位例如尾根是被肌肉覆盖着的，但能通过触诊轻易区分肌肉和脂肪。


Horses with a gut full of lush grass or hay might look rounded but the skeletal points will easily determine whether it is actually in good condition. Dehydrated horses will appear slim but it is still the fat deposits that determine the score.
No domesticated horse should be losing weight under human care. Losing weight is a sign of inadequate balance between energy requirement and amounts fed.   
饱食青草或干草的马或许会看起来肚子圆润，但骨骼点能帮助我们轻易判断其是否确实处于好体况。处于脱水状况中的马看起来会很瘦，但马实际的体况指标依然需要凭借身体脂肪的储存情况来判断。任何在人类照看下的被驯养的马都不应出现体重下降的情况。体重下降，是能量需求与饲料供给不平衡造成的。

To determine your horses condition, you should check the following areas:
要判断马的体况指数，你需要注意以下9个区域：
1.        Neck颈部
2.        Withers马肩隆（马肩胛骨间隆起部分）
3.        Shoulder肩部
4.        Girth area 马系鞍带的部位
5.        Topline背线
6.        Ribs肋骨
7.        Tailhead尾根
8.        Point of Hip髋关节点
9.        Point of Buttock臀点



Another useful area to examine is between the horses thigh when you lift up the tail, viewed from behind. Each area should examined and scored separately, averaged and then used to determine the final score. Be sure to look at all the horses area and don't just focus on a bony wither when all the other areas are well rounded or focus on no visible ribs when all else is looking mighty skinny. Although the horses confirmation shouldn't be taken into account, a horse with a roached back will always have less topline then a draft horse. Use your hands to feel underneath thick winter coats, dirt, bad lighting or the way the horse is standing. Use your flat hand when searching for the points and check either side of the horse.
此外，还有一个非常有用的考量区域是举起马尾从后面观察马的后腿之间的区域 。每个部位都需要被检测并被单独评分，最后通过各部位的平均得分来作为马匹的最终体况指数得分。一定要确保全方面的观察马，千万别只注意到马高耸的马肩隆（马肩胛骨间隆起部分）却忽视了它身体的其它所有部位都有良好的脂肪储备，又或是只注意到肋骨处脂肪饱满却忽视了身体的其它部分明显处于“皮包骨”状况中。有弓背的马相对于驮马来说其背线不会太明显，这种情况下，背线就不应该被纳入参考范围。冬季当马的毛更厚时，马周身有泥覆盖，光线不好，或马站立的姿势不便观察时，应通过用手触摸马来判断其情况。用掌心去感受那些骨骼坐标点，并检测马左右两边的情况。
Half scores can be awarded under certain circumstances but should be avoided where possible.   
在某些特定的情况下可打半分，但应尽量避免这些情况。

Categories are as follows 体况指数评分标准：

体况指数CS1：极度消瘦
Condition Score 1: Emaciated: Bony structures of neck, shoulders and withers easily noticeable. Spinous processes, along the ribs, topline, point of hip and point of buttock all project prominently, with an obvious ridge down the back. Individual vertebrae may be identifiable. There is significant space between inner buttocks ("twist"). The animal is extremely emaciated; no fatty tissue can be felt.
体况指数CS1：极度消瘦：颈骨，肩骨和马肩隆的骨架结构清晰可见。棘突、肋骨、背线、髋关节、臀部都显著突出，背脊线非常明显，每个椎骨或清晰可见。内臀部之间有显著的空间。马看起来极度憔悴；完全看不到、摸不到脂肪。



体况指数CS2：非常消瘦
Condition Score 2: Very Thin: Bony structures of the neck, shoulders and withers are faintly discernible. Spinous processes, ribs, topline, point of hip and buttock are prominent. Noticeable space between inner buttocks. Animal is emaciated.
体况指数CS2：
非常消瘦：颈骨，肩骨和马肩隆的骨架结构依稀可辨。脊柱、肋骨、背线、髋关节、臀骨突出，内臀部之间有可见空隙。马看起来憔悴。



体况指数CS3：消瘦
Condition Score 3: Thin: Neck, withers and shoulder are accentuated, but not obviously thin. Tailhead is prominent. Slight fat cover over ribs, but still easily discernible. Spinous processes, point of hip and point of buttock are rounded, but easily discernible. Twist is filled in, but without noticeable deposition of fatty tissue.
体况指数CS3：
消瘦：颈部，肩骨和马肩隆骨架结构虽突出但不太明显。尾根突起。肋骨处覆有少量脂肪，但依然能看到肋骨的轮廓。脊突，髋关节、臀部处较圆润，但仍依稀可辨。内臀部处没有缝隙，亦没有明显的脂肪储存。



体况指数CS4：中等（适度）消瘦
Condition Score 4: Moderately Thin: Neck, withers and shoulders are not obviously thin. Ribs are faintly discernible. Point of hips and buttocks are not visually discernible. Fat can be felt around the tailhead, prominence somewhat dependent upon conformation. There is a slight negative crease (a ridge) along the topline, especially over the loins and hindquarters.
体况指数CS4：
中等（适度）稍瘦：颈部，肩骨和马肩隆处瘦的不明显。肋骨依稀可辨。髋关节、臀部肉眼可见。尾根处能靠触摸能感受到脂肪的存在，是否明显则取决于尾根的形状。背线处的皮有轻微的褶皱，而腰和后腿之间的褶皱特别明显。



体况指数CS5：中等（适度）
Condition Score 5: Moderate: Neck, withers and shoulder appear rounded and blend smoothly into the body. Ribs cannot be seen but are easily felt. Back is level with neither a ridge nor a gully along the topline. Fat around tailhead is beginning to feel spongey. Slight amount of discernible fat deposited between buttocks (twist).
体况指数CS5：
中等（适度）：颈部，肩骨和马肩隆处圆润，手感平滑。肋骨目测不可见，但能被手摸到。后背既看不见脊柱线，也看不到椎骨。尾根被脂肪包围，触感像柔软，臀部之间有少量脂肪堆积。



体况指数CS6：中等（适度）胖
Condition Score 6: Moderately Fleshy: Fat beginning to be deposited along the neck, withers and shoulders. Fat over the ribs beginning to feel spongey, ribs cannot easily be felt. Fat around tailhead feels soft. May be slight positive crease (gully) along the topline. Noticeable fat deposition between buttocks
体况指数CS6：
中等（适度）胖：颈部，肩骨和马肩隆处开始有脂肪堆积了。肋骨处被脂肪包围，触感柔软如海绵，且用手不容易感受到肋骨。尾根处的脂肪手感柔软。背线处有褶皱，臀部之间明显有脂肪堆积。



体况指数CS7：多肉、胖
Condition Score 7: Fleshy: Fat deposited along neck and withers and behind shoulder. Individual ribs can be felt, but with noticeable filling between ribs. Slight positive crease down back. Fat around tailhead feels soft
体况指数CS7：
多肉、胖：颈部，肩骨和马肩隆处明显有脂肪堆积了。脊柱骨只能靠手摸感觉到，肋骨之间有脂肪组织填充物。背部后半部分有轻微的褶皱，尾根被脂肪包围，手感柔软。



体况指数CS8：肥胖
Condition Score 8: Fat: Noticeable thickening of neck. Area along withers is filled with fat, area behind shoulder is filled in flush with body. Ribs cannot be felt, noticeable positive crease down back, fat around tailhead is very soft. Significant fat deposited along inner buttocks
体况指数CS8：
肥胖：颈部脂肪厚实，马肩隆处被脂肪填充，肩骨处厚实。用手摸不到肋骨，背部后半部分有可见褶皱，尾根被脂肪包围且非常柔软。两臀之间明显被脂肪填充。



体况指数CS9：极度肥胖
Condition Score 9: Extremely Fat: Bulging fat along neck, shoulders and withers. Flank is filled in flush. Patchy fat appearing over ribs, obvious positive crease down back. Obvious fat deposited along inner buttocks.
体况指数CS9：
极度肥胖：颈部、马肩隆和肩部脂肪肥厚，腹部下垂，肋骨处有赘肉，背部后半部分的褶皱非常明显，两臀之间明显有脂肪堆积。



The condition score requirement will differ with the horses age. Here are some basic recommendations:
1.Yearlings to three year olds should be CS3 to CS5.
2. Mature horses in dressage work can score between CS6 and CS8.
3. Endurance horses should be between CS4 to CS6.
4.NO horse should have a body score less than a CS3.
体况评分指数会因马的年龄而有不同的标准，以下是一些基本建议：
1.        一至三岁驹应该在CS3－CS5之间。
2.        成年的在训练中的盛装舞步马可以在CS6－8CS 之间。
3.        耐力赛用马应该在CS4-CS6之间。
4.        任何类型的马的体况指数都不应该低于CS3。      

To determine whether your Equestrian Centre horse management is properly addressing the horses nutritional needs. Condition score all horses when they first arrive and again at the end of a fixed period of time (i.e. 3 months). If the horses arrived in good condition (CS4-6) and start to fall, the feed available is not sufficient to cover the horses energy requirement.
通过观察马的营养需求，判断你的马术中心的马房管理是否适宜。在马首次到达马术中心后评估其体况指数，过一段时间后再评估一次（比如三个月后）。如果马达到之初的体况状况良好（CS4－CS6），而之后体况指数开始下降，那说明饲料供给不符合马的能量需求。

Ample high quality hay providing fibre and roughage will provide good gut fill, improves digestive health and contributes to maintaining good body condition. Hard feeding (oats, barley etc) will provide extra calories for those horses doing more work and provide extra energy for breeding horses or competition horses.
营养丰富的高质量干草能提供高纤维，粗粮能使马出于饱腹状态，促进马的肠道消化健康并为维护马的体况做出贡献。谷类饲料如麦子，燕麦能为那些训练强度大的马提供额外的卡路里，能为育种马匹或竞赛马匹提供额外的能量。


来源：关于马的一切——Dr.K的小课堂