Sway back vs no topline?

I really have no idea to tell if a horse has a topline or not...and usually if they don't have a top line I just say they are sway back.

Can someone tell me the difference between the two (appearnce wise) and maybe some pictures? thanks

http://equisearch.com/horses_riding_...netalk_071905/

There are pics on this site that are helpful.

that helps...thanks palogal
It mentioned in the artical that some horses naturally hold their head up high, low, etc...how can I tell that my horse does?

When you sit on him, what does he do? If you were leading him on a loose lead where would his head be?

it's hard to say with me on his back but it appears as if
for a walk his head is level to his withers...maybe a tiny bit lower...head not on vertical
trot, up higher, but not up in the air
canter...up high lol

He gets frisky when he does anything past a walk...so I think that is playing a part on it

I'd say he's pretty normal if he's not kissing the clouds or his own knees

I know because he still kind has no topline so I wasn't sure if it was just no topline or a sway back. From what everone said it isn't a sway back so I'm taking no topline..
what do u think?

I'd say no topline. If he's swayback and you put a square western pad on him with a saddle, the pad will dig into his hips. He looks like he just needs muscling. Some lunging in sidereins would help.

not using side-reins...I'm anti- any mechanical device. IMO they don't work that well. The saddle fits fine and no digging into his hips.
What other ways can I help build up his topline? I know some tummy lifts are "supposed" to help, but I'd also heard that they don't.

Here's a picture of him when I first bougth him (yes excuse the chubbyness lol)
This his topline was better then? Worse? The same?