Bone structure easily noticeable, animal extremely emaciated, no fatty tissue can be felt.

Bone structure easily noticeable.

Spinous processes project prominently.

Spinous processes project prominently.

Tailhead (pinbone) and hook bones project prominently.

Bone structure easily noticeable.

Faintly discernable, animal emaciated.

Faintly discernable.

Slight fat covering over base of spinous processes. Transverse processes of lumbar vertebrae feel rounded. Spinous processes are prominent.

Tailhead prominent.

Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernable.

Shoulder accentuated.

Neck accentuated.

Withers accentuated.

Fat buildup halfway on spinous processes but easily discernable. Transverse processes cannot be felt.

Tailhead prominent but individual vertebrae cannot be visually identified. Hook bones appear rounded but are still easily discernable. Pin bones not distinguishable. 

Slight fat cover over ribs. Ribs easily discernable.

Shoulder accentuated.

Neck not obviously thin.

Withers not obviously thin.

Negative crease along back.

Prominence depends on conformation; fat can be felt. Hook bones not discernable.

Faint outline discernable.

Shoulder not obviously thin.

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.

Fat beginning to be deposited.

Fat beginning to be deposited.

May have slight positive crease down back.

Fat around tailhead feels soft.

Fat around tailhead feels soft.

Fat beginning to be deposited.

Fat deposited along neck.

Fat deposited along neck.

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.

Noticeable thickening of neck, fat deposited along inner buttocks.

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.

Bulging fat. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush. 

Bulging fat.

Obvious positive crease down back.

Building fat around tailhead.

Patchy fat appearing over ribs.

Bulging fat.