Developing Your Horse’s Topline

Hi! I would love to get some dressage/flatwork advice on developing a correct topline. I have a 5-year-old Holsteiner and would love to bring out the topline his sire and dam had. Thanks so much!

Hi. In response to your question regarding developing a correct topline, it’s instrumental that you begin with the basic concept of stretching over the back and to the bit. It’s the rider’s job to develop a correct reaction from the leg to the hand. To make sure that the horse has a desire to stretch forward and downward, while still pushing correctly from behind and maintaining a nice elastic feeling in the hand.

Rhythm, suppleness, and contact are therefore the first three on the German training scale. Once a horse gains strength through many upward and downward transitions, the topline should develop into a nice strong neck and back. Once this happens, the horse is then able to correctly execute the movements required to move up the training scale while maintaining the correct balance.

Too often this very important ‘basic’ step is rushed or overlooked. It must be a constant in all the work, including if you are riding your horse in an open/competition frame (which can only be achieved correctly if the back has been developed properly).

After the longitudinal (over the back in a straight line) connection is correctly established, the lateral work can begin. Depending on the individual horse, sometimes the lateral work is beneficial earlier on. The most important things to remember are: ride the basics to death; practice, practice practice; and don’t cut corners. The rest will come!