Many seek my advice when they hear their horse needs to develop a good topline. But what does that really mean, and why does it matter?

A horse has a good topline when the muscles in their neck, back, and rump are well-developed. These muscles —which include the thoracic trapezius, longissimus dorsi, and latissimus dorsi—form what's called the dorsal chain. They work together with muscles underneath (the ventral chain) to control posture and movement.

You can tell a horse has a good topline when their muscles feel smooth, firm, and springy. The neck, back, and rump should look full and smooth, without any bony bumps or lumps along the spine or at the withers. The back should be fairly straight, and not dipped.

Having a good topline means a horse has good posture and moves healthily. While it doesn't directly make a horse move well, it gives us insight into how the horse usually carries themselves. This helps us spot if there are any issues affecting posture or movement.

To develop a good topline, there are a few basics: a diet with enough protein for muscle building, a well-balanced hoof trim for natural movement, dealing with any injuries, ensuring the saddle fits correctly, and having a balanced rider.

Building a good topline starts with fixing any bad habits in posture or movement caused by poor training, improper saddle fit, illness, injury, or sore hooves. These habits typically involve the horse equivalent of slouching (a dropped thoracic sling) and manifest as shortened strides, bulging neck muscles, and tense, lumpy muscles in the neck and rump.

Before a horse can use their topline muscles well, they need to release these tense muscles. This allows the dorsal and ventral chains to work together smoothly, supporting the horse's natural movement. As these muscles are engaged correctly, they begin to strengthen, improving the horse's topline over time.

My online course “The Power of Walk” gives step by step instructions on how to correct the horse’s posture and movement using beautiful, gentle methods that anyone can learn, carried out in walk and based on French Classical dressage principles.