I prefer a Britchen over a Crupper. Here's why...

I prefer a britchen (breeching) over a crupper. When properly adjusted the britchen supports the weight of the rider or load much more effectively than a crupper. Cruppers were designed to help keep driving harnesses in place not to support the weight of a rider. My number one concern is always to keep my animals as comfortable as possible. The britchen does this my distributing the weight across the meaty part of the hind quarters while the crupper puts pressure on the tail and spine.

[@pedroleal8183]

I'm glad to see how much consideration and empathy you have for the animals. The way she behaves is a reflection of that and everybody thats been arround donkeys know they're very spooky. Congratulations sir!

[@millenialsmom2214]

I love it that you are so concerned about their comfort. I can tell you take wonderful care of your mates!

[@kirkboswell2575]

My dad was an ammunition packer in WW2. One riding mule, and anywhere from 6 to 20 pack mules per man depending upon how much needed packed in to wherever. Little known service during WW2, but the movie "Patton" has a scene with mule train at the bottom of the screen during one scene. Anyway, dad always said "britchen" not crupper. He also described his mule ducking out from under the saddle once when he forgot it. He was breaking the mule to ride and he said it only took two good jumps before he was airborne, saddle and all. He also said he never forgot the britchen afterwards........😊

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Great story. Thanks for sharing!

[@tedpuckett8066]

I used the back girth (run loose @ 8" or 10" under the base of the tail) on a 7/8 rigged saddle as a britchen; easy on n off. Was that OK?

[@jaybird4610]

Thanks for the lesson. We have a standard jennet that is a great pet but I would like to do more with her. Please keep the lessons coming. Jay

[@theresedignard7445]

Thanks. Makes total sense. I never realized you could use that for a saddle.

[@smacdiesel]

The crupper is just a thong. LOL

[@valeriehudson7276]

Thank you. I never heard of the Britchen I have seen them I think . . .always wanting to learn more to make our riding relationships more comfortable for all involved

[@jimnowak3960]

That man knows what he is talking about. Great video.

[@kellyandersen3651]

I had a Haflinger that hit the "The Saddle WILL Slide Forward" trifecta. Pear shaped, flat backed and slightly down hill. His saddle would slide forward if I left him tied to the trailer. I figured the crupper would always have tension on it. Didn't like the idea of the spinal column having constant tension on it. Also figured a serious attitude problem would evolve if he got a friction rub under his tail. A properly adjusted britchen fixed the saddle fit issues we had.

[@SusanSmith-lt9tc]

Great explanation. I was told my mule would break her tail. Wish I had a lighter britchen though.

[@donmurrin5269]

Wow Eric! Thanks a ton. Sensical stuff.

[@macmccarrick6165]

I don't know a thing about donkeys jest getting my info together wanting to take longer hikes and of course more gear I am maxed at 70 lbs in my kit. I like your concept as well if it were a little more work and investment and keeps the animal comfortable I am all for it. I believe that if you can make them comfortable they will be happy and do more for you. would you use the same if it were a pack-saddle.?Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Mac Mccarrick Exactly, the same goes for a pack saddle. If you scroll through my videos there’s one about adjusting a pack saddle as well.

[@TellyWatcher1997]

I agree with your choice. Cruppers are for small ponies with no shoulders for little kids at gymkhanas. For a full day's work a breeching strap is kinder for the animal. Great video.

[@KentGreentree]

Thanks for this video! I work with pack llamas and there are those in the llama world who use crupers. I have been against this practice since I heard of it. For llamas, it's even more critical because they have a more delicate bone structure than equine. 1: Crupers cause nasty sores under the tail. 2: Crupers can break a llamas tail; like when they have to jump over a fallen tree or creek, and the load shifts forward. 3: A crupper on a llama forces the tail up so they can't wipe biting insects off their anus. 4: Llamas use there tails to communicate, alarm, herd dominance ect. 5: They are just uncomfortable. So a big Shout Out to you!!!

[@MrSanteeclaus]

Do you have a video on a proper cincha and flank strap?

[@jasonhudson2956]

I completely agree with you for packing a heavy load, including if I were to ever saddle a donkey for riding. That is too much weight for a crupper. But I do use a crupper for pack burro racing, where I am only carrying 33 pounds and where the britchen can impede the gait when trying to keep at a run for long durations. When I have kept the britchen loose enough to not impede the gait or chafe the backs of the legs, then it tends to be so loose that the saddle would be up onto the shoulders before it caught. Would you have reservations about using a crupper with a 33 pound racing rig?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Where do you burro race?

[@jasonhudson2956]

@@mountainridgegear8172 - I live in Idaho, but I have been coming down to Colorado to race, periodically, going back to 2011. I try to race Fairplay long course most years (my last time was 2018), and try to get at least one other race in each summer. Obviously wasn't able to race in 2020. I am planing to go do the race in Inyokern, CA, in April 2021, and will hopefully make a few more to make up for 2020. I have been racing with your Day Hiker panniers since 2017 and am a big fan of the quality of your work. #teamMRG

[@mountainridgegear8172]

@@jasonhudson2956 that’s awesome! I’m the President of the Western Pack Burro Ass-ociation. 😄. Hopefully, I’ll get to meet you.

[@denisfeehily5669]

I would fully agree with your choice. & I know!! Denis.

[@tjadventures9163]

thanks for the info...

[@richardstewart429]

I've never used a Crupper because of exactly the reason that you stated.

[@aquastone4792]

makes perfect sense not to use the tailbone to stop wt.

[@rhondaparham8078]

Amazing

[@MsGroovalicious]

Makes perfect sense.

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

kind owner

[@USNAVDC]

Does she shed her coat out slick like she is now, or do you clip her coat? I've seen lots of donkeys that have coats like a Shetland pony. Beautiful animal by the way.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Tom E Muncey she keeps a pretty consistent coat year round. However, she does shed in the spring, enough so I don’t have to clip her. I think she’s got some Poitou ancestry.

[@deannakrickcar8153]

Standardbredhorse

[@alejodlt]

I agree

[@ut1004bp]

Just looks to me that the Britchen would be really annoying be set so low, every step, while stretched back would keep get tighter, and then looser as the animal walked, and the feeling see-sawing back and forth to each leg.. tell me you had your's too low.. but reason I'm looking is I'm considering using a britchen on my young Mustang to help desensitize his back end while under saddle only, as his saddle doesn't tend slide up on his neck, but yea he is jumpy like a mule

[@russelmurray9268]

Why do you prefer mule over horse

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

I have a pony which I intend to break to harness. However, he was abused at some point in his past and is very afraid of his tail being lifted or being touched. So I'm researching ways to drive him without the use of a crupper.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

pam Thompson-Clarke-Reynolds-Bowers-Burton I would not give up with lifting the tail. Just take little steps over a few weeks or so. He’ll come around. Just work slowly and consistently.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

@@mountainridgegear8172 I've had him nearly a year and while *I* can lift his tail for brushing , he's very nervous. When I harness him, as soon as the crupper is on, he rears and blind bolts. Something *very* bad happened which fractured both back legs and I believe the sensitivity is related to the fractures. Whatever it was was *so* traumatic that he *won't* 'come round, sadly and hence I need to get creative and think outside the box and if he's to be driven, and the crupper terrifies him, then I'll find a way of using the harness with no crupper. Sadly, gypsy men are not all kind when it comes to how they deal with their horses and ponies and my poor pony was badly traumatised at some point and he hasn't forgotten.

[@TellyWatcher1997]

@@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim People are cruel and some are thoughtless and the latter can be worse than just those engaging in downright cruelty. I wish you luck with your little boy and I'm glad he's in a kind home now. I've seen some really simple trace harnesses that don't have horrible bearing reins, cruppers and similar. There used to be a type called a Dutch harness, which I think is also known as a trace harness. Not sure how they would do going downhill. Would your horse/pony be okay just with a breeching strap, with a full collar harness, so long as it was secured far enough along the shafts of the cart? It sounds okay to me as a crupper doesn't actually hold the cart downhill or have any weight-bearing action. Incidentally, I suspect that a vehicle that your horse or pony could have been pulling might have slammed into its back legs causing those fractures. That would cause a great deal of trauma. I hope everything goes well for you both.

[@homeedconnect]

Thanks for this info! Your britchen strap is wide. I see that in pack strings, but recently I've seen some narrower ones used in endurance riding. I'm wondering about the rubbing against their legs over miles and miles done at a trot. Do you have any thoughts/ideas/suggestions about that?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

The width is less important than the placement. However, too narrow might not distribute the pressure well enough and cause discomfort.

[@homeedconnect]

@@mountainridgegear8172 Thanks for the reply. To be clear: you feel that if placed correctly the britchen should not cause rubbing problems after long miles at the trot? Just trying to be careful.

[@wild_mustangs_and_parrots]

Anyone who has experienced a nervous horse knows they do indeed have a muscle in that tail to hold it clamped down! ha.

[@stormrider9831]

Does this apply to horses as well, especially endurance or extreme trail horses?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Yes

[@josealvor2677]

Yo estoy deacuerdo me gusta el britchen

[@aztib]

Wowww your donkey is much longer in th e back than my molly mule. is that the cowboy saddle?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Naomi Yisraëla yep.

[@aaronrichards8966]

What's the cover over the stirrups called

[@dathanfroerer591]

Tapaderos

[@shellywelsh2316]

For mules as well?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Shelly Welsh yep! If a donkey is in pain or uncomfortable they will tend to baulk if it gets too bad. Otherwise, a donkey will just endure the pain. A mule, on the other hand, might decide to express its discomfort by bucking the rider off. I’ve heard lots of examples of this happening. Most experienced wranglers I know avoid cruppers anytime there is uneven ground.

[@shellywelsh2316]

Okay, great advice. I used to own a Peruvian Paso and used a crupper when I had his Peruvian saddle on. He never showed any discomfort or concern over it. I am in the market for a mule and there are none where I live so I am looking south to Washington state.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Shelly Welsh check the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington’s Facebook page. Someone in that group might be able to point you in the right direction.

[@shellywelsh2316]

I will, thank you!

[@KKIcons]

I hope you might consider a good gaited mule. A paso cross is pretty common in South America, and it is such a fine looking gaited animal. I have seen them in TX. I love my gaited greenbroke mule a lot. I heard paso finos are pretty common in your area. I was researching this trying to find more info about my mare we bought from Oregon, who was born in Washington state. I was going to mention, that shipping your perfect mule might not be as much as you think, if you use the "Horse Travel Agent." Gary Mitchell. He helped us out a lot, this being our first family horse.

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Good bred mules can set their saddle with the rubberized great pad and girth but a little cruper will work fine in less you ride 10 to 15 miles every day.

[@victorialree]

Where can I buy a good one for a small horsw

[@greykun]

It's adjustable, should be fine for any horse really

[@kymharris269]

The britching is part of a cart harness, so any good tack store should be able to get one in for you.

[@astralhorses9559]

if you're still looking, "Two Horse Tack" makes saddle breeching for horses and mules (multiple sizes and in your choice of biothane, nylon, or leather). While I haven't bought their breeching (haven't had a horse that needs it so far), I have bought bridles and breastcollars from them; it's been far better quality than most of the tack I'd be able to find locally.

[@shanesmith1173]

Make alot of since ..

[@Elbribon1]

Is this a mule or a donkey.If is a donkey why is too big.

[@ragnkja]

It’s a donkey, as stated in the video. She’s just a large breed.

[@letfreedomring5757]

🤠👍

[@tigdogsbody]

"Less tack" has got to be the stupidest, lazyist reason for using a crupper.

[@abdoubb9080]

je là trouve très belle,allez tu dois lui trouver un marie maintenant vite.

[@brookeneel5595]

2r mules

[@danielmota1095]

I don't like your metaphor oooch.

[@zackfight2951]

And it dresses them up, I say prefer abritchien

[@patticlaude1]

Agreed

[@5dinsdale]

I never would have thought that you could do this with a saddle. Thanks for posting this!

[@spartaeus]

I've heard it many times that a crupper can damage their spine permanently. And then they have to be put down.

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Spartaeus It can cause discomfort and can lead to injuries. It can cause a situation similar to a bulging disk that humans get. I’ve heard stories of more serious injuries. Whether they are just stories or not, those sorts of issues don’t arise from using a breeching.

[@cwavt8849]

You know, I have always wondered why people would stick something so uncomfortable under an animal's tail?! Good to see that I was right😁

[@christopherbennett4559]

She is beautiful 😍. Great video. 100% correct. Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍

[@carlrosenbaum3754]

That's not true in the bible god made alejah donkey talk remember. I know i didn't spell the name right but you under stand . peace

[@arthurquintana1345]

What type of saddle is that you using for mules and donkeys?

[@jacquiweber1625]

Thank you for this! I liken a crupper like wearing thong underwear and if an animal gets spooked that would be like someone giving you a “wedgie”. A good yank lifting that underwear up to your armpits from behind. 😱. Even under normal circumstances those underwear are called “crotch crushers” for a reason!!!

[@jimbo91262]

Great video! Could not agree more. Britchen for sure.

[@diannaleefolkers-sarber2393]

I think what you have said made alot of sence.

[@troy4219]

I didn't know you could ride donkeys

[@Gfthce3426]

Agreed

[@TheTirado2]

What about when you need to sprint with you mule, which is best to use? Dose the cruper give the mule more freedom to take long strides?

[@StuckInNy]

Thanks for the video. I recently acquired a mutton withered, wide backed horse. I think piece of tack is going to have to be the solution to my problem!

[@rv9178]

Is that a mammoth donkey because my donkey is too small to ride and mine is I believe last time I measured her she was 41 at the Wither considered a standard?

[@usernamedaniedmrg]

Cruppers will mess your animal up

[@MrSanteeclaus]

What about the front end? How do you keep the saddle from going backwards?

[@armoredwings4182]

Breast collar

[@MrSanteeclaus]

@@armoredwings4182 thank you apparently I missed it.

[@faithprettyman6990]

What brand of britchen do you use?

[@mountainridgegear8172]

Faith Prettyman www.mountainridgegear.com/collections/tack/products/donkey-burro-breeching

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Is it just me. I've seen many mules with enough withers they didn't need breaching or a tail crouper unless in some big hills. Good riden mules bred out off walken horses.

[@kymharris269]

this little one is a donkey. A Mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey, so usually inherit the higher wither off the horse.

[@countchocula5379]

She is beautiful but it looks like she could use some amino acids added to her diet. A supplement called “Tri amino” works WONDERS as long as she’s already eating enough calories and could just use some muscle support. Seriously, her muscles will fill out REALLY nicely 👌🏻 and pretty quickly too. I like mixing it into a little cool stance for my guy and its made him look like a body builder. He is 25 but the vet is always astonished by how young and buff he looks! Thank you for the fantastic video. Wonderful advice and I especially LOVE how you advocate for the animals 👍🏻 stay safe out there buddy 🐴❤️