Saddle Fitting for Mules and Donkeys

This video is all about educating the mule and donkey owner about a proper saddle for their animal. It's not a horse saddle and those who are serious about humanely caring for their animal will be excited to discover that there is an alternative and exactly what that alternative is - and why it works!
Steve is demonstrating with the Cowboy Saddle. You can learn more about the Cowboy Saddle (and Steve Edwards) at this link - muleman.co/2HaM14s
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Looking to saddle up your first mule? Maybe you've got some problems with your mule or donkey and you're looking for answers and you're open to learning if the saddle is causing those problems.
Look, the mule doesn't want a saddle on his back. He doesn't want a bit in his mouth. He doesn't want to go up the trail. All he wants to do is be comfortable. And that's what I want to show you in this video - how you saddle will either create discomfort (leading to problems) or comfort, leading to a willing mule.
Mule owners want a saddle that utilizes a solid bar that will lay against the mule's back. The horse back is NOT like the mule or the donkey back. When you look at a horse bar, you're going to see a design that places weight on the scapula (restricting motion and causing rubbing), places pounding weight on the kidneys (go ahead and have someone hit your kidneys repeatedly and see how that feels), and begins to damage an otherwise willing mule.
The bars that I've designed for my saddles, true mule and donkey saddles, are meant to remove pressure from the scapula, the kidneys, and up off the 6th and 7th ribs and that fat pocket near the front.
The straight bar leads to even distribution of weight - hello comfort - and prevents rocking and cantilevering. That cantilevering creates all sorts of pressure on the mule's back, pound down over and over and over.
So let's look at my Cowboy Saddle. I developed this saddle back in the 80s after what I learned from the mule, specifically what I learned from the mule after developing my pack saddle.
So the Cowboy Saddle utilizes the Steve Edwards bars - the only bars that provide consistent and evenly distributed pressure on the mule's back (no matter how fat or skinny he is).
When you look at the rear of the saddle you'll notice that it is not sown together in the back. Look at the back spine of the mule... you'll see 3-4 bumps sticking up and if you sow up the back of your saddle you're going to see that saddle bumping the back and causing problems.
Keep looking and you'll see that the sides of the saddle are curved and rounded off - that's all to remove pressure from the mule's hips and scapula. He's not like a horse and you've got to treat him as such.
Look at the back d-ring - why a back d-ring? Because the rear cinch needs to be there and needs to be tighter than the front cinch. Different from a horse. I placed my d-ring at the sweet spot of the mule's back. It is perfectly placed so that when you tighten up the cinch he doesn't buck and stabilizes the saddle.
The Cowboy Saddle also has a double ring in the front - perfectly sized for all the tack that mule is going to need.
The rest of the saddle is for you - the 4 inch cantle gives you ease in swinging your leg over. The 13 1/2 inch pummel allows you to lock your legs into place when the mule does go down a hill.
Rings on the back are meant for a breeching - not a crupper. The crupper is only meant for 6-8 pounds of weight and that area is pure bone - you want a breeching if you want to care for that animal.
There are other elements of the saddle you will want to look into such as strings (easy to remove) as well as several other tie rings. EVERYTHING is meant to give you ultimate function and bring the mule ultimate comfort.
Hey, if you've got questions, give me a call! I can't tell you how many folks continue to use a horse saddle on their mule or donkey thinking, "oh, it's not that big of a deal," and then once we talk and they go ahead and give that mule saddle a try all sorts of problems are corrected and they are convinced, finally, that a mule or donkey is not a horse.
Call me - 602-999-6853
Follow Steve and Queen Valley Mule Ranch
Instagram, muleman.co/2DA4yZF
Facebook, muleman.co/2DrSLJQ
Twitter, / muleranch
Website, muleman.co/2G3RIBk

[@738polarbear]

It really pays to listen to a mule expert so that your animal is really comfortable and it's better for their health. They deserve that . They are hard working animals.

[@muleranch]

👍❤️🤠 Thanks for watching!

[@ffxfgxsfxxxg2419]

This helps explain a lot about what to look for in a saddle whether someone is looking to buy or diy it thank you ❤❤❤

[@muleranch]

So happy to help! Thanks for watching.

[@GDoan-co3ug]

I learned SO much from this one video.

[@robertpayne2717]

I understand that most working mules are kept in lots and basically are hand fed and kept off pasture as the man said you turn them out on pasture they'll blow up like a blimp

[@muleranch]

Correct!

[@robertpayne2717]

Yes thank you for keeping it real

[@muleranch]

You got it! Real it is.

[@chandlerbagby130]

I need a saddle like yours but they are just to expensive

[@patiavance2924]

Hi Steve, recently purchased a gaited mule and I'm wanting to purchase your Cowboy Saddle within the next few weeks. How soon will you be switching to a 4" cantle as I would prefer a 5". Also, great video and very informative as always! Keep them coming!

[@cacatr4495]

It would be good to tell us how to meet the need of saddle bags, where to put them, how to carry needful things. People with heart want to treat the mule in healthy ways, so we hear you say to safeguard the kidneys. Great. So where then, or how to address the need for saddle bags? Thank you. We want to treat the mule kindly and properly.

[@cacatr4495]

No, I am not on FB and never will be. You would need to make that available to the rest of us. Thanks.

[@cacatr4495]

Great! I can't stream live anyway. Thanks for the link! :)

[@leishaedwards6284]

Thank you. Is this a saddle that works with horses as well? Always wanted a mule...

[@miguelvaldivia4761]

Me serviría estos vídeos traducidos al español

[@Horseshowproductions]

I am wondering about the front and rear cinch? Do you attach them to each other with a strap like we do with horses, so that the rear cinch doesn’t slide too far back?

[@muleranch]

Hi Lise, yes, you want to use a hobble strap between the two cinches to keep them properly spaced. You can take a picture of setup and send it to Steve through the website and he can make sure you have the spacing properly.

[@valerieramirez3496]

Curious to your opinion would mule saddles work for ponies? Everything slips forward on her but she is wide the rest of the way back lol my 8 year old daughter is getting depressed because I can't find her a solid saddle that she can try roping on with her pony but horse saddles are long and I can't have a skirt longer than 24-25 inches. Thanks for any advice

[@samanthasellers3898]

I would recommend a crupper, it keeps the saddle from sliding forward.

[@debbieroth4463]

I have a mule that is tiny he is only 13 hands. How do I know if your saddle will fit him

[@muleranch]

Debbie, give steve a call six zero two 999 six eight five three (typing it out so we don't get spam bot calls). Steve will want to chat with you to make sure you get what you need.

[@italianice59]

Are bits essential?

[@muleranch]

Hi there, great question! We talk all about it here around the 49: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWOoZYOweq6AZ8k

[@josealvor2677]

Yo no savia que la silla de mula era poco diferente ala de caballo

[@titovilla9127]

Burro!

[@josealvor2677]

@@titovilla9127 Dios te vendiga ATI yatu mama

[@d.l.mcluvin8067]

Why does your saddle look flat on there yet mine has a tunnel under the saddle you could probably run a baseball bat through?

[@muleranch]

Really good observation. If you examine the back portion of the mule / Donkey spine you’re going to see three little bumps… the saddle is split in the back to prevent weight from crushing that portion of the spine. Some people will buy the saddle, modify it by pulling the sides together and sewing up and then call asking about problems. It’s because the weight is going right on those three vertebrae. The saddle pads are arched too in order to accommodate the bone structure. Good question.