Crupper anyone?

[Toodlestoo]

OK--in another post, I asked about saddles for Oreo, my draft. Flair, mentioned a "crupper", IrisGreen told me what it was and Cloe sent me a link to a pic. Does anyone here use one of these on their saddle? Does the horse have problems using one? It looks SO uncomfortable under their tail. And what's that under their tail? Is it wood? I'm so confused. :help: He already is bucking when we pull the cinch too tight so I'm wondering what the heck he would do if I stick this under his tail.:eek:

[HeartofSteel]

I used to ride a mule that used a crupper. The part under the tail is foam, so it's nice a squishy. It doesn't lift there tails up very much so most horses are fine with it.

[Toodlestoo]

Thanks Haffie--from the pix I saw, I thought it was wood!

[rocknK]

Britchin is an alternative to a crupper to keep your saddle from sliding forward. Fits over the horses hind qtrs to help hold the saddle in place. Good luck.

[vicklynn]

Now she needs britchin pics..LOL
http://zinkellongearsandpack.glhenterprise.com/britchin_chest.html

[WashingtonBay]

A crupper's only really needed if your saddle is sliding forward going down hill on trail. Why do you think you need one?

[rocknK]

All that cool stuff makes me want to go get a mule.:cowboy:

[vicklynn]

All that cool stuff makes me want to go get a mule.:cowboy:

Well, get right on that!!!

[rocknK]

That whole "ears" thing is the only thing holding me back. That & I don't like riding something smarter than me.:p

[vicklynn]

That whole "ears" thing is the only thing holding me back. That & I don't like riding something smarter than me.:p

:hysterical::hysterical:

[Toodlestoo]

WB--his belly is so round in the middle and slopes upwards to his front legs. When I cinch him up about a hand's width away from his underarm, the girth slips down his big belly and right against his legs. When we really cinch him tight--he bucks!

Vick--you're getting to know me pretty well. I saw the word, britchin, and thought, now what???

[WashingtonBay]

I don't think a crupper will prevent that.

[Toodlestoo]

No, thank you ChiseKoji--this is the kind of info I need. I don't know anyone that ever used one so I trying to find out all the info I can.

[IrisGreen]

If you don't adjust the crupper right, make sure there is no tail hair under it and it's the right size for the horse it can bother them and rub them raw. As with any tack it needs to be properly adjusted and sized for the horse. Most people just stick one on and don't know to check and make sure there is not hair under it or how to tell if the crupper fits right.

I don't know if you need a crupper or not for your saddle but if you do or would like to try one these are some easy things to fallow:

1. Always check under the crupper for hair. The hair rubs the underside of there tail dock raw when pinned between the crup and the sensitive skin.

2. Not all cruppers are made the same. Cheap cruppers are just a piece or leather, rubber or strap that doesn't conform to the horses tail dock and can be stiff. Get one that's soft leather filled with seed, they will conform to the shape of the horse, be smooth and more comfortable for the horse.

3. Adjust the crupper so it only pulls if it's needed. You don't want it snug or it's constantly going to be pulling when it shouldn't be. It should never pull unless there is a reason for it, like the saddle slipping too far forward.

4. Check the crupper straps tension often to see if everything is still in it's place. When riding you can reach back and pull them up to see if they have tightened up or not.

The crupper is used for a reason but just like a breast collar you don't want it so tight it bothers the horse. You only want it to tighten up if it has too to keep your saddle in place tell you can get off and re-cinch or adjust it. It's there as a "just in case" if your saddle slips.

They are also used for training surcingles and they keep it from turning to the side when ground driving.

[Toodlestoo]

Thanks IrisGreen--that info really helps. I'm learning something new every day!

[Pi and Tofu]

I've used cruppers on ponies, but can't remember using one on a horse.
Forget the girth for a second, does your saddle slip? Is it rolling from side to side (common enough in a round-barrelled horse)? Is he fit? Do you plan to keep him fit or just use for occasional riding?
Unfortunately, a custom may be in your future. I know a store that will do custom western saddles that are very reasonable (my friend rides her perch western). I ride my very drafty irish english and can recommend some stores that will let you do a trial in a u-shaped tree rather than a traditional v-shape; the u-shape being built for table-backed horses, i.e, drafts and draft crosses.
If you are planning to put your horse in a fitness regime, then you will want someone close to you to custom a saddle, as they will need to make adjustments as his body adjusts.
Good luck!