Saddles and bits for a Mule?

[AppyLover]

Just window shopping online at some of my favorite tack sites; And I started looking up tack for Mules since there is a good chance I will be working with a little Molly come next month.

Do they really need Special tack and why do the bits look like torture devices? What is appropriate to use on them and what is not? Or are they like the horse in this, and have their own preference?

And saddles…Will a proper fitting saddle be fine or do they have to have a “mule saddle” with a crupper or breaching?

Any insight to the tack involved whether completely different or identical to the horse, please share your thoughts and knowledge.

[HeartofSteel]

When I rode and showed my mule, I rode her in a plain eggbutt snaffle, that's what she did best in. They don't need "special mule bits" they have the same mouth and sensitivity as a horse. If you start them in something hard they'll remember it and have a hard mouth forever.

I have seen and competed with this mule and he is wonderful! He uses a plain loose ring snaffle
YouTube - Heart B Porter Creek Part 2

[TheRedHayflinger]

a normal bit works just fine so long as it's the right size for them :) The mules at college had anything from a snaffle to a tom thumb to some sort of mild curb bit. One of the gaited ones did have a big long shanked snaffle, but that was just the bit he was happiest in.

As for saddles...their backs are different than horses. All the ones at college needed britchen or a crupper when rode out on the trail (steep hills around here) even if they had a "mule" saddle. Some just had well fitting saddles that were normal horse saddles. Like horses, each one is going to have different saddle needs. I believe one of the mules at college had a Tucker saddle...and the draft mules just used big draft saddles that we had in the colt training barn. I do know that the 40 year old had a mule saddle though.

[WashingtonBay]

I would start in a snaffle or side pull like a horse.

I'd probably aim them for a hackamore for the long term.

Breast collars with cruppers or britching is almost always needed for trail and hill work because mules have such a straight back and no wither. There is just nothing about them that helps hold a saddle in the right spot.

[AppyLover]

Thanks for posting the video HoS. That was wonderful.

It is good to know that at least in this department I won't be out of my element. lol. Good fitting and comfortable tack I can provide. Torture devices and 2000 dollars saddles....yeah, no.

Thanks guys for your responses. :)

[AppyLover]

Thanks WB. I will have to get a saddle fitted with a crupper, but that isn't a big issue. Some of those "mule" bits though OMG! Never would I even think of using a bit that looks like a chain saw blade! I am glad to hear they can use the bits or hacks that horses can.

[TheRedHayflinger]

I actually caught one of my old teachers online on facebook and he said that most of the college saddle mules now have gaited horse and arab horse saddles, the draft mules have draft saddles..LOL

[walkinthewalk]

This lady specializes in saddles for gaited horses and mules whether they are gaited or not.

Her custom-made prices won't break your piggy bank and she is extremely thorough in achieving a correct fit for the horse or mule and the rider:cowboy:

http://www.crestridgesaddlery.com/

[gabhainn]

yeah its amazing what they call a mule bit isnt it? I always used a mullen mouth bit on Leggs this one in fact
http://www.rods.com/Imported-Heavy-Stainless-Mullen-Mouth-Bit,497.html
because I was told by somebody on horse.com that you shouldnt use a broken mouth bit on a mule, so I didnt. It all worked out she didnt need much of anything to guide her anyways.
As far as saddles, a mule has nothing in the way of withers so fitting is important or they will gall. I used a good 5 diamond wool pad I bought from difani's and centerfired my saddle, and used a crupper at all times after i ended up practically on her head going down a gully one time. Hope this helps...........Kevin