April, I met an esperienced mule rider (and former
bronc rider) last weekend who makes his own western-style saddles with full
double rigging. The interesting thing was that instead of using a crupper, which
would be the norm, he trains his mules to accept the rear cinch done up tight,
well behind the curve in their bellies. The mules don't mind and it keeps
the saddle steady on their backs without rubbing on the front end. He said with
a mule it is also advisable to keep the front cinch quite tight - unlike us
Ayrab riders who don't mind a little daylight showing under our horses' bellies.
:)
