Swayback in Horses (Equine Lordosis) : When the horse's back sags

What is a Swayback in Horses?

A swayback in horses refers to a sagging, severely downward-curving back. The technical term for this condition is lordosis. Normally, the top line of the horse’s back is gently curved. Behind the withers, the back forms a slightly curved, concave line downward before rising again toward the croup. However, with a swayback, the supporting ligaments along the spine have lost so much tension that the top line becomes more pronounced.

A swayback is common in broodmares with many foals, especially those that are not trained much, if at all, between pregnancies. But improperly ridden horses with unsuitable equipment can also develop a swayback.

It is also often observed that horses with long backs and a rectangular body shape are affected by a swayback. Their long, swinging back has a harder time supporting the rider’s weight properly compared to a shorter back. The muscles become more easily overstrained and overused.

With a swayback, the risk of Kissing Spines and other arthritic changes increases. You can find more information on this in our article Kissing Spines in Horses – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and More.

What is the difference between a swayback and a roach back

When talking about a swayback, the term roach back is often mentioned. A roach back, technically referred to as kyphosis, is the exact opposite of a swayback: the spine is arched upward. Particularly in the lumbar region, the spine protrudes noticeably, resembling the shape of a carp's back.

These horses often struggle to develop impulsion and bring their hindquarters under their center of gravity, making them challenging to ride. However, they are known for their powerful jump.

While a hollow back is acquired a roach back, or kyphosis, is often congenital. However, poor posture, improper training or feeding, and growth issues in young horses can also lead to kyphosis.

Symptoms: How do I recognize a swayback?

The horse’s torso is structured like a suspension bridge: Between the pillars of the front and hindquarters, the back is essentially suspended and is held up by the tension of the abdominal and back muscles, as well as the fascia. The croup and withers are approximately at the same height. With a swayback, the tone decreases, and the bridge structure between the croup and withers collapses.

In young horses during growth, it is common to observe that they are either overbuilt in the front or rear, and the connection line is not level. This is completely normal during the growth phase and will level out over time. However, in adult horses, if they are higher in the rear or front, and the top line is unnaturally concave and bent downward, this is considered a swayback.

A true swayback can cause pain due to this unnatural posture in the horse. The horse may exhibit defensive reactions when being groomed, when the back is touched, or when saddling.

If the back hurts, it is reflected in the horse's movement: The hind legs don’t swing forward under the body, they have little reach, and they drag on the ground. The horse cannot lift its back and tends to press it downward instead, creating a vicious circle.

Causes of a swayback

In most cases, a sagging back is home-made, i.e. not congenital. It is caused by various factors:

• Overloading from a young age
• Unsuitable, oppressive saddle
• Inadequate training, poor riding style
• Advanced age of the horse
• Many births in broodmares
• Genetic factors, congenital low back

A swayback is practically pre-programmed if young horses are broken in too early and too quickly. If their physical development is not yet complete, the still soft structures are quickly overloaded. Nowadays, too little time is often allowed for young horse training, as the horses are supposed to be ready for sale as quickly as possible. Muscle development and the development of the bones and tendons do not come after the rider's training. If additional rider weight is placed on this unstable body, the sensitive bridge structure cannot withstand it.

However, improper or unsuitable equipment can also contribute to a swayback. A saddle with uneven or poorly fitting pads can create pressure points. The horse may push away from these areas, leading to long-term muscle damage.

At this point, the rider must also be mentioned as a possible cause. A crooked, unbalanced rider who slumps into the saddle and puts too much tension on the horse also overloads the sensitive horse's back. If the horse is then not gymnasticized appropriately, this will force the horse to become exhausted in the long term.

In the case of stretcher exhaustion, all the problems listed above add up. At some point, the horse's body can no longer hold itself together and eventually collapses - even without a rider, the horse literally sags. As a result, the long spinous processes of the spine move closer together until they even touch each other and cause pain. This is known as kissing spines.

Foals and young horses that exhibit a swayback even before being ridden are exceptions. In this case, it indicates a congenital lordosis, a structural defect that can make the horse less resilient.

Certain horse breeds are more prone to developing a swayback due to their conformation and fascial tension. For example, Haflingers and Norwegians have less connective tissue tension compared to warmbloods, which can make them more susceptible to a swayback at an earlier stage. Breeds with high necks and upright posture, such as Friesians and Lipizzaners, often struggle to arch their backs properly. If they do not achieve the correct forward-downward movement, their pendulous belly can become more pronounced, deepening the hollow back

And finally, the age of the horse also affects the development of a dropped back. As horses age, they lose muscle mass and the elasticity of connective tissues and tendons. Even the best training may not be enough to maintain the topline as the supporting muscles weaken over time

Treatment: Swayback - what to do?

The vet will begin by palpating the back to check for any swellings, heat spots, or asymmetries in the vertebrae and muscle groups. The horse's defensive reactions, such as dodging, pushing away, biting, and striking, are also considered during the diagnosis. To assess the extent of the damage, an X-ray may be required. Since mobile X-ray machines cannot capture the entire length of the back, a visit to an equine clinic is necessary for a comprehensive imaging evaluation.

Drug treatment

Based on the vet's diagnosis, painkillers may be prescribed to facilitate the necessary muscle building. For chronic pain, infiltration treatment is an option, where long-acting painkillers are injected directly into the back.

Natural treatment methods

The training plan for addressing a swayback is customized for each horse and implemented step-by-step in consultation with the vet and equine therapist. This approach ensures that any accompanying conditions are identified and managed. A combination of osteopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, or dry needling is used to prevent new blockages and relieve existing tension, which is crucial for effective muscle development.

Individual horse training plan

An individualized training plan aims to strengthen the entire body of the horse to lift the weakened back. Collaborate with a team of experts, including a vet, trainer, and equine therapist, to determine the most effective approach for your horse. Building muscle is crucial to counteracting a swayback. In the following article, Dr. Patricia Sitzenstock explains how to build muscle effectively and the important role of nutrition in this process:

In addition to exercises targeting the hindquarters and forehand, it’s important to focus on strengthening the deep muscles and improving flexibility. This includes training the lateral abdominal muscles, which help lift the back. To enhance flexibility, incorporate frequent changes of direction, ride slaloms, vary the size of circles, and alternate between straight and curved lines.

Read our article about riding Hoofbeat figures - rail figures for beginners and advanced riders.

8 tips for preventing a swayback in horses

Tip 1: Late, slow start

The later the horse is broken in, the longer the muscle and bone skeleton has time to develop. It is therefore better not to consider breaking in a horse until it is four to five years old and not before it is three.

Furthermore, breaking in should take place in small steps so that the horse's musculoskeletal system has the opportunity to get used to the strain. At the time of the HDv12, horses were still considered remote if they had been under saddle for less than a year. Today, three-year-olds are already taking part in performance tests, jumping over small obstacles, and performing their first dressage exercises. The modern type of horse already shows a lot of muscle mass at a young age. However, this hides a tendon and bone apparatus that is only fully developed at around seven years of age.

➡️ Must-Watch: Struggling with a tight or behind-the-bit horse? Watch as Ralf Isselhorst helps a 7-year-old mare develop a longer neck and swinging back for better suppleness and relaxation. Learn why stretching forward and downward is key to every warm-up!

Tip 2: Lunge work, trotting poles, cavaletti

When lunging, the horse learns to balance itself on the curved line without the disturbing factor of the rider behind it. This makes it easier for the horse to stretch forwards and downwards and to arch its back. Trotting over poles and cavaletti is a good way of avoiding the use of auxiliary reins and achieving the arched back naturally. This requires the horse to tense its abdominal muscles so that its hooves do not hit the poles. This in turn causes the horse to arch its back and strengthen its core muscles to such an extent that a swayback can be prevented.

Tip 3: Cross-country riding

A round in the field should be on every training plan, as it not only provides the horse with a mental balance, but uneven ground conditions also train the supporting muscles in the best possible way. Above all, different surfaces, riding uphill and downhill or backwards up a hill work the horse's entire body and also train the abdominal and back muscles.

Tip 4: Ground work and balance training

The horse's back is best trained when no rider weight has to be carried. Ground work is therefore ideal in its variety to prevent a swayback In particular, balance training on mats, balance pads or horse rockers are an excellent exercise to address the deep muscles along the spine. This is one of the autochthonous muscles that cannot be consciously tensed. Instead, it is used when the horse needs to balance itself. The deep muscles ensure stability and fine coordination thanks to their proprioceptors. And balance exercises are ideal for training these deep-seated muscles.

But fun circus lessons such as the compliment, plie or Spanish walk also require changing body postures. This trains the horse's body awareness and coordination, which in turn trains its core muscles and prevents a swayback.

Tip 5: Gymnastics and classical work in hand

A strong core musculature is achieved through systematic and correctly executed gymnastics. To achieve this, the horse must not be forced into a posture but should find and adapt itself according to the exercise. In this way, the horse learns to coordinate itself and to use its body according to the situation to avoid strain.

The gymnastic training of the horse does not only have to take place under saddle but can also be done in hand. Classical work in hand ideally builds muscles, promotes the horse's coordination, and helps to learn new lessons without the weight of the rider. This is because the weight of the rider also plays a major role in the development of a drop back. If the rider is both too heavy and too unbalanced for the horse, this leads to permanent damage to the supporting ligaments along the spine. A rider who is too heavy also makes it impossible for the horse to tense its abdominal muscles. Horse and rider should therefore always be considered in context.

➡️ Must-Watch: Want to develop a swinging, supple back in your horse? Eliza Stoddart shares essential pole work and gymnastics exercises to improve rhythm, strength, and flexibility - key to better movement and performance!

Tip 6: Breaks

A day on which the horse can enjoy its time in the pasture or is simply taken for a relaxed walk without any further demands is also important for muscle development. In the rest phases after an exertion, super-compensation occurs, i.e. the body overcompensates to be better prepared for the next exertion stimulus. By taking breaks, training progresses and overloading is avoided in the long term. Find a balance between work/demand and rest/relaxation to avoid a slumped back.

Tip 7: The right posture

The type of stabling plays a decisive role in a healthy back in both ridden horses and retired horses. Stabling is poison for the muscles if the horse stands for most of the day and therefore does not train its musculoskeletal system. If the horse tends to lose muscle mass, open stabling is the best option. At the very least, the horse should be given several hours of exercise per day with plenty of free movement.

Tip 8: Call in the professionals

Have an equine osteopath or physiotherapist visit your horse at regular intervals. This will allow you to identify blockages and other problems at an early stage before they become serious. Ask them to show you massage techniques that you can perform without hesitation to loosen the horse's muscles and fasciae between appointments. The fasciae connect every structure of the horse's body and therefore have an enormous influence on the horse's physical condition. If they (especially the back fascia) are stuck together or contracted, this leads to tension, the back is pulled downwards and the vicious circle begins.

Don't forget to check your saddle! Your horses muscles change over time, a saddle that fit perfectly in October may not fit in May. The same applies to hoof health, as incorrect posture can lead to poor posture and postures that have a negative effect on the core muscles.

Vorsorge ist immer besser als Nachsorge.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hollow backs in horses

Can I still ride a horse with a hollow back?

With a swayback, the supporting ligaments along the spine are weakened or even damaged. This process of decay can be halted and in mild cases even reversed with targeted and systematic training. The fact is that the horse should not be ridden if it is clearly in pain. Then the horse cannot arch its back and carry the rider. A swayback does not mean that a horse is generally unrideable. It must be decided on an individual basis whether the horse is rideable and how resilient it is. Always consult an experienced trainer for this.

Which saddle does a horse with a drop back need?

The saddle must lie evenly, the saddle pads must not form a bridge by resting on the back and front and creating a hollow space in the middle. Achieving this with a swayback is not so easy. Therefore, a horse with a drop back requires a specially adapted saddle that compensates for the irregularities of the back.

A flexible saddle tree is also recommended for a drop back, as it adapts better to the horse's movements and thus avoids tension.

The saddle pads should be soft and not hard so that the horse can move better underneath and no pressure peaks occur.

In addition, the saddle at short intervals checked and adjusted by a professional. Saddle models with infinitely adjustable gullet plates are recommended for this purpose. This makes it easier to adjust the saddle without having to replace it completely.

A saddle pad with padding is also an advantage with a sloping back, as it can be used to compensate for the gaps between the saddle and back caused by atrophied muscles. This also makes it easier to influence the saddle's center of gravity, which cannot be balanced due to the sloping back without help.

Which saddle pad is used for a drop back?

Orthopedic saddle pads with adjustable inserts are best suited for fine adjustment in the case of a drop back. It also helps to maintain the fit during the build-up training. However, such a pad cannot make a completely unsuitable saddle fit.

Can a young horse have a hollow back?

An acquired swayback is rather rare in young horses. In some cases, however, a swayback can be genetic, in which case it is referred to as congenital lordosis. Experts suspect that the cause is anchored in genetics and that a swayback can therefore be passed on.

Is a horse with a swayback in pain?

A horse with a swayback does not always show obvious pain. This is because there are different stages of swayback, which place varying degrees of strain on the horse's body. Poor posture can cause tension in any part of the body. This also results in lameness in the hindquarters, which is due to the drop back and is a clear sign of pain. If the swayback is far advanced, the long spinous processes of the spine can jostle and rub against each other. This is also extremely painful for the horse and leads to arthritic changes if left untreated.

At the same time, a less pronounced hollow back does not mean that the horse is not in pain. Even a slightly overbuilt croup leads to tension in the entire horse's body, which is worth treating. The earlier intervention and countermeasures are taken, the better.