10/ FEBRUARY 2026 THE RIDER
From the Trainer’s Eye Tales of the Topline
For those who know
how to look, the topline of a horse is one of the clearest chapters in the horse’s story. From the poll, along the neck, across the back and over the hindquarters,
the
topline quietly reveals how a horse has been worked, developed, and asked to carry itself. A healthy, well-de-
veloped topline does not happen by accident. It is the result of correct train- ing that encourages the horse to work from back to front, engaging the hindquarters,
lifting
through the back, and car- rying itself in balance. When a horse moves this way, the muscles along the
or shortcut can replace correct, thoughtful riding. Transitions, correct bend- ing, steady rhythm, and allowing the horse to move forward into a soft contact all contribute to building the muscles that support
self-carriage.
Even work in hand, groundwork, and turnout play a role in encouraging natural movement pat- terns that support a healthy topline. Ultimately, the topline
topline become
rounded, supple, and strong. The neck appears to flow smoothly out of the shoulder, the back looks lifted rather than hollow, and the horse gives the impres- sion of ease and self-car- riage.
Self-carriage is the key
word here. A horse that is truly in self-carriage does not rely on the rider’s hands for balance. Instead, it steps under with the hind legs, transfers that energy through a swinging back, and allows the forehand to lighten. Over time, this way of going builds the muscles that sup- port the spine, creating that
desirable, softly rounded topline that riders across dis- ciplines value. By contrast, a flat or un-
derdeveloped topline often tells a very different tale. Horses that have been ridden primarily from front
to
back—held together by the reins rather than pushed for- ward by the hindquarters— tend to develop a flat neck, a hollow back, and little mus- cle along the topline. You may see a neck that looks up- side down, with bulk under- neath rather than along the crest, and a back that dips in-
stead of lifting. This isn’t a cosmetic issue; it’s a biome- chanical one. When a horse moves
without engaging its core and hind end, the back can- not lift to support the rider’s weight effectively. Over time, this can lead to stiff- ness, discomfort, and even soundness
topline, or lack of it, reflects not just how the horse looks, but how it feels in its body. It’s also important to re-
member that developing a topline takes time, patience, and consistency. No gadget
is more than a visual marker; it is a conversa- tion between training, balance, and wellbeing. By learning to read the “tales” written along a horse’s back, riders can gain valuable insight into how that horse has been worked and how it might be worked better. A rounded, lifted topline
tells a story of strength and harmony. A flat, hollow one is an invitation—to listen, adjust, and ride with the horse’s long-term health in mind.
—————— issues. The
‘From the Trainer’s Eye ar- ticles written by Jen Jonas of Jonas Performance Horses and one of her students, Sharon Jones of Be A Better You Inc. Both Jen and Sharon are believers in con- tinuous learning - if you’re not learning you are not growing’
Shari Irwin
2026 Judges Committee (905) 440-5941 email:
shari_irwin@hotmail.com
Kelly Lehman Secretary: Kit Bartle Judges List 2026 Senior Judges
Kelly Lehman Drumbo, Ontario Cell: 519-807-2660 Email:
maddavery@gmail.com
Shari Irwin Castleton, Ontario Cell: 905-940-5941 Email:
shari_irwin@hotmail.ca
Cally Jo Fritz Elliot Lake, Ontario Cell: 519-280-8169 Home: 226-289-8563 Email:
callygene@gmail.com
Brenda Thompson Waterloo, Ontario Cell: 519-577-7320 Home: 519-884-4050 Email:
bmctearnen@yahoo.ca
(519) 807-2660 email:
maddavery@gmail.com (519) 732-0263 email:
drumbolady@hotmail.ca
Anne Marinacci Smithville, Ontario Home: 905-957-5619 Email:
annemarinacci@hotmail.com
Website:
www.whao.org Junior Judges
Dave Black Fisherville, Ontario Cell: 905-921-0359, Email:
diamondbquarterhorses@gmail.com
Robyn Storey Cambridge, Ontario Cell: 519-841-3934 Home: 519-620-9015 Email:
gatorrocks@hotmail.com
Mike Tucker Fenwick, Ontario Cell: 905-984-1581 Home: 905-892-5610 Email:
m.tucker1378@gmail.com
Don Stauffer Conn, Ontario Cell: 519-604-8864 Home: 226-258-9206
Email:
thestauffers48@gmail.com
Erin O'Drowski St. Mary's, Ontario Cell: 226-377-0244 Email:
eodrowsk@gmail.com
Judy Gaspardy Acton, Ontario Cell: 905-875-9534 Email:
sunfireminis@yahoo.ca
Anna Turnbull Gores Landing, Ontario Cell: 905-376-4807 Email:
1anna.turnbull@gmail.com
Cheri Woodrow Severn, Ontario Cell: 705-321-2230 Email:
254cutter@hotmail.ca
Don’t miss our next issue. Deadline is March 8th, 2026!
Send us all your news and events!
barry@therider.com
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