Mules and Saddles-A Whole Different Fit

Used to be that fitting saddles on mules was all about addressing their straight backs. Because mules are increasing in value, especially those used for trail riding, the quality of the mare being bred has dramatically improved. In years past, is was not the highest quality mare, or the best donkey jack, that was used to produce mules. These days, many good Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walking Horse, and draft mares are used. Together with the improvement in jacks, mules have better conformation, way of going, and attitude. For saddle makers, there is increasing demand to fit these better mules.
Though most modern mules continue to have very straight backs, especially when compared to horses, the substance and widths of their bodies has increased. Good horse saddles with standard trees will have a curved bars to accommodate the typical curve of the horse back. This style of tree will ride high center on a mule, and will rock. A mule tree needs to be much flatter in the bar, and the saddle design needs to allow for a raised backbone conformation-usually seen in very straight backs.
Because of the better mares being crossed, wider trees are also in demand. The Quarter Horse and draft type crosses will usually require a wide tree.
Circle Y has found that our Flex2 saddles will address the fit of the mule very successfully. Because of the nature of the flexible bars of the Flex2 saddle which conforms to the curve of the animal's back when girthed down, it will fit the mule's straight back. The skirts are channel fit, so that the middle if the saddle is open, giving room for the raised spine. Most Flex2 styles are available in regular and wide width trees.
More mules are being seen with a curve to the back and in these cases, horse saddles can be used. The Flex2 saddles will conform to the horse types just as well. The Flex2 can be a useful fit for owners with both mules and horses of all types. to see the selection of Circle Y Flex2 saddles, please visit www.circley.com .

Monty

Last week for the July 4th holiday I went north see my sister and her family. I finally got to see my brother-in-law's Paint gelding, Monty. He's 15 years old, about 15ish hands and is stout. He had been used in a feed lot and for cow work most of his life but surprisingly is not nearly as seasoned as you would think. And, all that work and no play had taught him to be hard to catch with a general sour attitude towards being ridden. My BIL has been working the Pat Parelli horsemanship method with him and I have so say Monty is respectful and tries to figure out what is being asked of him.

I think one of the keys to any successful horsemanship method is patience. My BIL has taken Monty back to basics working on groundwork, desensitizing, and is trying to create a new attitude towards being saddled and ridden. He is making huge strides in trust and respect on the ground which will translate under saddle. I noticed Monty's general personality is kinda jumpy and nervous. That may be just the way he is wired, but as long as Monty continues to look to his leader for guidance my BIL will soon have a willing partner that is a pleasure to be around.

Dara