Which anatomical parts are used to evaluate balance and determine if a horse is level over their topline?

The evaluation of a horse's balance and whether it is level over the topline primarily involves examining the withers and croup. The withers, located at the highest point of the horse's back, are crucial for assessing the front-to-back balance and overall posture. A horse that has a level topline will have the withers and croup aligned in a straight line when viewed from the side.

The croup, which is the area of the horse's back where the hindquarters meet the tail, plays a significant role in this evaluation as well. If the withers are higher than the croup, it may indicate that the horse is built downhill, which can negatively affect performance and movement. Conversely, a level topline, where the withers and croup are proportionate, suggests a balanced horse capable of carrying a rider or performing activities more effectively.

Other anatomical areas, while important in different aspects of the horse's conformation and movement, do not directly indicate the balance over the topline in the same way as the withers and croup. For example, the neck and back help with overall frame and flexibility, but they don’t specifically show the levelness of the topline; the shoulder and hindquarters affect movement but