Reasons to Use a Britchen Rather Than a Crupper for Horses and Mules

Reasons to Use a Britchen Rather Than a Crupper
This is one of those topics that is always being debated by mule folks the world over. Especially those that ride in hilly areas.
You can find more of my thoughts on this and 177 other trail riding and horse camping topics in my book “The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping,” as seen on Amazon’s bestseller list. Here’s a link - amzn.to/3CuErid
Britchen, or breeching, will help the horse or mule to be much comfortable while helping to keep your saddle from slipping forward.
Here are my thoughts regarding fit of the britchen as well as some of many misconceptions I’ve heard regarding britchen.
The hip has more mass to help distribute the weight from the rider and saddle. This is an extra bonus when getting on and off.
Unlike a crupper you can adjust a britchen up and down the hip several inches. A crupper cannot be adjusted and will easily sore the soft skin under the tail. You would never use a crupper with a packsaddle. Why would you use one with a riding saddle?

[@user-rs2od4ey5j]

Keep it going

[@LisaHouserman]

I love your straightforward manner and calm voice. My first mule will be here soon so I'm taking in all that I can right now.

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

Thank you very much!

[@privacymatters5204]

Perfect timing! I just bought a Britchen

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

Glad to help!

[@privacymatters5204]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n I love your channel. Videos are to the point and you are easy to understand. Thank you😉

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

@@privacymatters5204 Thank you for the very kind words! YOU made my day! Glad to be able to help your on your adventures!

[@privacymatters5204]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n I am glad I made you happy. You have a nice channel. I had to send my Britchen back because it was poor quality. Could you recommend a place to purchase one or where did you buy yours? Thank you 😊

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

I get all of my leather stuff including britchens from Chris at horse and mule gear. Give her a call - www.horseandmulegear.com/index.php

[@christopherbennett4559]

They matter so much that I was told by one of the mules experts out west if a person selling a mule don't ride with one never buy the mule. I live in the flat lands of the USA. I was wondering if that applies to my area also. He said the mule will be damaged and have future problems. I have had horses all my life now looking for a mule for trail riding now my rodeo days are done. Is this true, or is this only for mountain areas? Most people I see don't use them down south where I live I will always use one because I want what's best for my animals, and it makes sense to me. Britchins only no courpier. Thanks for sharing great video. 👍

[@Mr40tt]

Thank YOU!!!!

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

You're welcome!

[@queenkoi]

What kind of saddle is that? Thanks so much.

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

It's from Three Bells Mules saddlery

[@LisaHouserman]

I have a super dumb question. Can you use your driving harness britchen and transfer to saddle?

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

I don't know. I've never tried but don't see why it wouldn't work.

[@LisaHouserman]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n thank you for the reply. Hope to see more of your videos soon

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

@@LisaHouserman Glad to help! Us too! We had an eventful ride and have to get back on the ball! Here's more on the ride - www.trailmeister.com/a-memorable-ride-into-the-bob/

[@LisaHouserman]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n Thank you!! I'm still bonding with my new mule and will not ride until we are cozy with ground work. He is following me around and always comes in for me so that is a plus. I've always been a horse person and had to erase all of that from my mind. Your vids help me. I will check out the link for sure.

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

@@LisaHouserman Glad to help! I think groundwork is a key! Keep up the good work!

[@hannahsms3816]

Can you use britches in English saddle?

[@hannahsms3816]

*britchen

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

Hannah, Great question! I don't see why you couldn't. May have to add a few rings and such to the saddle and the girth.

[@hannahsms3816]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n Okay. Also, I am looking for a mule. Where is the best place/auction/website to find a mule and how much are they usually? Thanks!

[@amberblyledge7859]

I have a qh that uses english saddles. She is a chronic saddle slipper forwarder with already damaged shoulder blades from previous owners. She's allergic to no slip pads too. Saddle has been checked repeatedly and gets a new checkover every time I put it on. While a crupper is more traditional, I worry that it will rub into her already sensitive tail, pinch, or even worse, start bending the tailbone up. I don't wanna die because it bites her. I have three other options, Get a girth extender for my super expensive girth (Going to do first!), Try that "Body safe silicone" and find a pad in that, or even make one, Or use a crupper and see how it goes. I'm not even going up and down big hills, and she's not mutton withered or especially down hill. She has a super forward place where the girth sits.

[@user-ez9gy5hd7n]

Good on you for caring! Sounds like you've got a challenge ahead.

[@amberblyledge7859]

@@user-ez9gy5hd7n Update! So, I got a jumping saddle that is a very similar size because we plan to compete this summer in jumping! It seems to have fixed the sliding forward issue even though the billets are much farther back. I'm wondering if the other one was sliding because it was too narrow in the front. Even just a bit would be enough to make it sit differently on her. The jumping saddle, while a cm smaller in tree width is wider in padding, allowing for more room in the shoulders. So far, despite it's uber hard padding and one failed billet (I fixed it temorarily, it's safe!) she seems to be enjoying it a lot. Can't wait to save up the 400 to get it reflocked! And my BF is going to start riding tomorrow. So that's exciting!