What you can learn from your horse's topline musculature

In this video we look at horse’s toplines so that you can learn how to evaluate YOUR horse’s topline.
We start by looking at the topline of a young Lusitano stallion and we explain the various parts of the horse you want to be looking at and what this means.
Then we look at a sample of photos so you can see a variety of horses with many different conformation types. We made a point to show some horses with conformational issues because it is helpful to learn how to determine what is due to conformation and what is due to training. You cannot change the conformation of the horse but you can change the horse’s posture with the type of work you choose for the horse.
Thomas & Shana Ritter - www.artisticdressage.com
Now located in Portugal, Thomas is an International Clinician and author of "Dressage Principles based on Biomechanics" and "Long Reining: From the Beginning through the Levade" (published by Cadmos Press in both English and German) and countless articles in many publications. Shana is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist. Together they create and orchestrate the Artistic Dressage program.
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[@marylennon3577]

Really helpful in identifying areas that need to be worked on/improved. Thank you

[@punkylemons5513]

This video was so helpful, thank you for making it!

[@gabrielasalles8139]

Thanks! Im from brazil and i understood everything, your speal is perfect!

[@ArtisticDressage]

Glad to hear that!

[@alisonfranks1820]

What an interesting and valuable video. Lot to take in. Can I ask a couple of things? First horse - whilst talking about his topline you also talked about 'balance', however in all of the pictures is he not standing out of balance? He's not standing efficiently or spreading his weight equally across all 4 legs / hooves - why and what to do?

[@elaineeknier104]

how in ypur ridi ng do you lift the withers