Do you, or does anyone in your hunt, ride a mule foxhunting? I’ve seen a few pictures and articles about it, and am wondering about foxhunting longears and their riders.
I have thought about it, and both of my local hunts extended warm invites.
I think my guy would be quite good at it, sadly we haven’t gone out yet because we are still struggling with saddle fit. An hour in the ring/on a leisurely trail ride, even over jumps, is different than a few hours out over varied terrain, and I would never want to give him a bad experience.
This past winter a guest hunted with us on her mule. She does extensive trail riding with him. As a first time fox hunter the mule did terrific- handled the hounds and the stop and go perfectly. I’m not sure of the breeding on her mule but it was leggy enough to cover ground in a lovely canter.
Thanks for the input. I am hoping mules are welcome hunting here:)
GoForAGallop, I ride a younger, smaller mule, but FWIW, I have been using an old Passier all purpose saddle on him when I ride English. It is a bit wide (he is not too muscled right now and still filling out), but with a hunter Mattes pad, he moves out quite well in it. We have used it on a few hilly trail rides this spring, and he seems very comfortable. I have been told Duette Saddles would likely be a good match for a mule’s conformation, but haven’t trialed one. It is definitely a challenge to fit tack to mules.
I have just bred a mule which I will, in time, hunt. There are very few mules in New Zealand … my foal is only the 3rd mule I have ever seen! So question … are cruppers always necessary on a mule? I notice that britching is alway worn with western tack on mules in the States - what about english saddles?
[QUOTE=otterhound;8721208]
I have just bred a mule which I will, in time, hunt. There are very few mules in New Zealand … my foal is only the 3rd mule I have ever seen! So question … are cruppers always necessary on a mule? I notice that britching is alway worn with western tack on mules in the States - what about english saddles?[/QUOTE]
Well, I wouldn’t say always, but cruppers are frequently necessary on mules. I’ve owned 3 different riding mules and two of the three needed cruppers with English saddles.
Some people will use a crupper with a western saddle, too. Particularly in parts of the country where you don’t have much hilly terrain.
I should think so! Yes, you’ll probably want a crupper. I also imagine you’d want to do extra desensitization to dogs, as many mules have a real problem with them, and the hounds dashing up might cause some errant kicking. My mules don’t hesitate to fire one off at my dogs if they are running around too close to them, even though they always get along if everyone is standing still. If the dogs are running, the mules are right on their tails with ears flat and mouths wide open.
Some mules need a cruper and some do fine without one, even in the mountains. My current mule diesn’t requiere one, but does need a britchen when ridden westeen. Overall I have found English tack far simpler to fit correctly for a mule than western tack. Warmblood saddles (ie designed for wide horses with lower withers) seem to do well with my mule.
[QUOTE=otterhound;8721208]
I have just bred a mule which I will, in time, hunt. There are very few mules in New Zealand … my foal is only the 3rd mule I have ever seen! So question … are cruppers always necessary on a mule? I notice that britching is alway worn with western tack on mules in the States - what about english saddles?[/QUOTE]
We use a crupper on our mule in western tack along with a breast collar. I have ridden her in the ring English without a crupper but would not want to go out and about without one.
Here is a link to John Henry the Mule, who seemed able to do everything. Sadly he is not with us anymore, but his owner Kathleen Conklin was still using Agnes de Mule hunting the last I heard. Both JH and Agnes were large mules, probably draft crosses, and both very nice in person. Interesting reading her site about JH. She put a lot of time into developing him in his multiple skills.
Good luck hunting with your mule, if he likes it you should have a great time.
Thanks goodhors!
Our mule is 1/2 TB and has withers. We have never had to use a crupper or britching with him. Breastplate, yes. Great hunt mount with a well developed sense of self preservation 
Luckily for me, my partner is a huntsman so of course we have the pack of hounds at home here. My mule sees a lot of them, and I make a point of being with him in the paddock when “himself” walks pups, or “hot” bitches, through the paddocks. I certainly wouldn’t trust him with them yet, but we’re heading in the right direction. 
He sees them as curious, rather than threatening.
