How to build up topline?

[lavenderlanebabies]

Following on from another thread of a TB Kanga is thinking of going to see where the pic shows a horse in loads of gadgets.

My friend has just bought a TB just like this, she has a history of Point to Point racing and then a few years as a brood mare, bought by a riding school and is very sweet and not too nutty. However she is ridden in a flash with loose ring french link and a martingale. She has this habit of throwing her head in the air a lot and almost cracking the rider so does that say the martingale isnt working? She looks just like the horse that Kanga has on her link no topline, spine protruding over back near to her tail and has no shoulders and upside down neck.

She is being vetted 5 stage next week and will make a suggestion that close attention is paid to her back with the head tossing but question is, once checks are done, how do you build up topline? I can help her from the ground, I won't ride her as she is too forwarding going for scardey cat me, but want to help my friend get the most out of her new horse.

Many thanks

Carol

[julz]

Just good schooling, and riding in the correct way, I think would be the best option..if horse is being ridden correctly then the topline will form, and become strong...also lunging, perhaps with loose-ish side reins on..

[jennyb]

Long reining, and lots of it!

[heather]

A good diet too- much easier to turn a plump horse into one with a good topline, than a skinny one, in my experience.

Working the horse in self carriage is also the best possible way to build the topline.

Heather

[sarahfox]

Echo the above,loads of long lining ( loose work if you know how) hill work is good also,the main thing is to avoid forcing them into an outline,especially with gadgets as that actually often creates the opposite effect as although their head may seem in the right place if it is there by force then there will be resistance,leading to incorrect musculature.
Also make sure the back/saddle and teeth are checked as these are all common causes for resistance.

[arabheaven]

interesting - how does long lining build topline?