Top line vs compensation... Are you sure your horse is using themselves correctly?

Topline doesn't come from work 'on the bit'. It comes from the horse using the correct muscles during movement and those muscles developing and building correctly over time. Then and only then will the horse be in self-carriage and "on the bit". 

The FEI defines “on the bit” as having the following features

Neck Position:

The neck is raised and arched based on the stage of training and whether the pace is collected or extended

Head Position:

The head stays in a steady position and slightly in front of the vertical.

The Poll:

The horse is supple at the poll and the poll remains the highest point of the neck.

Resistance:

The horse displays no resistance in their body to the rider or aids.

Think about this the next time you ride. What are you asking your horse to do? Then ask yourself 'Does my horse have the necessary functional movements to perform what I'm asking without compensation?' Compensation is any deviation from the accepted definition, so if your horse goes behind the vertical, hollows their back, shows discomfort, stiffness, inability to remain balanced etc etc all these are compensations. They are doing them because they cannot perform the required movement correctly.

3 things your horse needs in order to work correctly "on the bit"

1: A functional and strong thoracic sling

2: Core Strength

3: An ability to load the hindlimbs comfortably and effectively

These areas all need to be co-ordinated and strong before you can get on and ask your horse to carry you correctly. Most horses never get that foundation. So the back stays hollow, the neck muscles overdevelop, the topline refuses to build and you wonder why nothing is improving.

Topline does not come from holding or forcing your horse "on the bit".

It develops when the correct muscles coordinate during movement. Before expecting self carriage, your horse needs a strong thoracic sling, functional core strength and the ability to load the hindlimbs.

Share this with someone whose horse is struggling to build topline.

#coreconditioning #equineperformance #equinephysio #thoracicsling #equinerehab