Most mules have no or very low withers, tend to be slab sided and are =
narrower in front than they are behind. I personally know of folks =
with Orthoflex Patriot models that work well on mules. The Orthoflex =
cutback can work but generally has to be shimmed to fit.
Most mule riders ride in very wide tree western saddles. Not exactly =
endurance models but you could suggest that she consider a regular =
western saddle anyway. Most mules are ridden with both breast collar =
and either crupper or britchen but I have known (and bred) a few who =
did not require anything. However they had good horse withers not =
typical mule withers.
> Those who make mule saddles don't make endurance style saddles
There are a number of mule saddles that work well. The mule model =
McClellan is certainly a good endurance saddle and can be made to fit =
almost any equine. There are several version out Here's a maker I =
have in my database, I don't own one of these, I have an original, so =
I can't tell you about quality etc.
American=A0Military=A0Saddle=A0Co.
5343 Norwood Avenue
Riverside, CA 92505
(714) 354-6644
You could also check with Civil War re-enactment folks for makers of =
similar saddles. No addresses but a place to start looking.
My second best saddle for the mules I have is a very old (75+ years) =
western saddle that weighs a ton and is double rigged. With it I =
haven't used a breast collar on any mule and even some pretty mutton =
withered ones didn't need a britchen.
Another place to try would be McClintock Saddle Works in Descanso CA. =
They ride and pack mules and are donating a trophy saddle for the top =
performance jack this year at Bishop mule days. They have lots of =
experience making saddles for mules and donkeys. I don't own one of =
their saddles (unless AssTech wins one at Mule Days this year ;-) ) =
but have seen several and they were all well made.
Garry McClintock
McClintock Saddle Works
P.O. Box 129
Descanso, CA 91916
(619) 445-3046
I have a Wintec endurance model wide tree and it has fit some of the =
mules I've tried it on but does require a breast collar and crupper =
or britchin to stay on. It does not fit my donkey jack at all, it =
pinches his shoulders to the point he cannot move out well. For him a =
very wide tree western saddle is all that fits. I do use a crupper on =
him but no breast collar. I haven't attempted to take him on even a =
pleasure ride so I have no idea how it would work on trails.
One lady I know who raises Zebra mules and rides her Zebra stallion =
(similar in conformation to many mules) uses a wide tree English all =
purpose saddle. I don't know the model though.
Last thing, a quick check of the Brayer (ADMS newsletter) showed one =
ad for a saddle maker who claims to make saddles for donkeys, mules =
and hinneys. I have never seen a saddle of theirs so be forwarned but =
here's the info.
Crooked Pine Saddle Shop
Glenn & Pat Earnest
662 Dry Gulch Road Dept. 1
Stevensville, MT 59870
(406) 777-3108
Hope that helps.
Oogie McGuire - oogiem@dsrtweyr.com
Weyr Associates - Multimedia and Web Authoring Services & Consulting
Desert Weyr - CMK Arabian horses & saddle mules for endurance and show
http://www.dsrtweyr.com/~desertweyr/