How to Select the Right Size Mule Saddle and Properly Ride Western Style

How to properly sit in your saddle (not forward, not back... just right) and select a saddle that is properly fitted for you.
You can find the saddle used in this video at this link: rebrand.ly/saddlefitting
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It's really important that when you're in a saddle your legs are slightly bent. Over bent legs mean knee problems and back problems.
You want your heels down and toes up that way you're leaning backwards. If you're Toes are down and heels up you're going forward - and you don't want to go forward when you're riding. You'll put the mule off balance and yourself off balance.
Heels back, toes up.
We're riding western style, slightly knees bent, shoulders back, chest out - ride 60% on your legs and 40% in your seat. If you sit 100% in your seat you're going to have a sore rump. You need to make sure to condition yourself - if you ain't conditioning yourself, sitting correctly, you're going to be sore.
We need to talk about stirrups too - you want fenders that will move. If I need to be able to put legs way forward going down a steep mountain, I can do that. If I'm going to be posting, I can do that. If I'm going to be cantering, I can do that.
I can move my legs any way I want - and it's why I designed fenders that moved. I can move my legs any way I want. I can ride mountains and I can ride trails and I don't want to spend a lot of time adjusting my saddle all the time - you'll still have to adjust but less frequently and with greater comfort in the saddle.
Now, when you're testing out a saddle...
DO NOT PUT YOUR FEET IN THE STIRRUPS WHEN TESTING A SADDLE!
It's not how you SIT in a saddle but how you SET YOURSELF in a saddle.
When we're talking about saddle size, you want to have 1-2 fingers between your thigh and your pummel. Sit your feet in the stirrups, kick yourself back - it's going to change the fit, but when you're sitting, you'll be comfortable.
It's not your rump size, it's the thigh size you need to be mindful when fitting your saddle to YOU, THE RIDER!

[@merlinolson88]

Watching on 2/21/23. -14 degrees and snowing

[@muleranch]

🤠👋

[@josealvor2677]

Siempre importante gracias

[@auMr.Pocket]

would you have any kindly advice for fitting a McClellan cavalry saddle? Is it a good saddle for mules?

[@muleranch]

Tazzman, can't believe we missed this! My goodness... if you're still looking, we talk about that right here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6TNq3mvlMmJjs0