correct dev of muscle over back - what does it feel like?

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Jericho

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Please excuse my ignorance but just trying to check something. We have just taken on loan a smashing little 14 yr old pony for my small 10 yr old daughter. The pony has been very well looked after and competed dressage and showing with an adult for a couple of years, and was schooled and worked every day so he is quite muscly and solid and carrying very little extra weight (he is in great condition). Now I am used to my old Cushings mare and fat ponies so all this muscle is quite new to me... in particular he is particularly solid with obvious muscles where the back of the saddle fits and over loins. Is this normal? Would it be a combination of working well in an outline ( he has lovely self carriage) and carrying a heavier rider?

I am a bit concerned that maybe there is some saddle damage as when I had a saddler out to a previous pony who had had too big a saddle and rider before, he too had hard muscle there. the new pony's saddle looks fine and fits well and he doesnt seem to react to any hot spots.
 
It's the muscle hard? It should feel more like a nice joint of raw beef, and if it does, that's probably good. Can you post a photo?
 
Yes it does feel a bit like that - its not a solid lump. If you run your hand across the back you can def feel the harder muscle at the back and its even on both sides.
 
This sounds similar to one of my ponies. His is not sore to touch and reasonably soft but I think it is from a saddle that sits the (adult) rider to the back making the muscles behind a bit bracy. I have just got a new saddle so hoping the muscle will even out along his back. He is well schooled having won and placed regularly at prelim dressage and schooling towards novice so not a lack of muscle. Think possibly a common problem with adults tryng to fit in a shorter length saddle.
 
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