Which description best fits a skinny horse?

• A. Thick neck and rounded
• B. Very muscular hindquarters
• C. Full dewlap
• D. You can see ribs and a thin neck

Answer: (D)

Recognizing body condition in horses means paying attention to how much fat and muscle cover the frame. A skinny horse shows little fat and a lean appearance: ribs are visible or easily felt along the sides, and the neck is thin with little padding. That direct cue—visible ribs and a thin neck—is what indicates underweight most clearly. The other descriptions don’t fit a skinny condition: a thick neck and rounded body suggest extra fat, very muscular hindquarters imply good conditioning or muscle development rather than underweight, and a full dewlap refers to loose skin under the throat, not weight status. So the description with visible ribs and a thin neck best matches a skinny horse.