What is a Saddle Mule?
The saddle mule is defined as any horse/donkey hybrid and is the result from breeding either a male donkey jack to a saddle type horse and used for work and/or pleasure under saddle or in light harness. The donkeys used to produce saddle mules are either large standard or mammoth breeds. Donkeys are measured in inches and mules are measured in hands. The results of breeding for mules can be varied even when the cross is the same every time. The variations can be extreme from color, height and sex. For instance, the jack donkey pictured here is LVF’s Rhythm Nation he is 57.5 inches the mare is 15.1 hands. This cross has produced four foals that vary in height from 16.2, 15.1 and 14.3 hands. The color variation has been a diverse as well ranging from a light dun to three other bay mules with white socks. When breeding, we always suggest breeding for demeanor and confirmation, because color is always a surprise.
For those of you that have questions as to why you register your mule or donkey here are some facts that I hope will help you understand. Anything worth doing is worth recording with the NASMA Registry you can trace their lineage, keep track of their progress in the show ring and out on the trail. There are some great individuals raising, breeding, and training some outstanding stock these days. Breeding gaited, western, reining, sport horse, speed event bred mares to make a mule for whatever sport you enjoy. By having your stock registered you’re able to track their show point progress and hours spent out on the trail. NASMA has a wonderful website that keeps track and you’ll have written proof of their titles and awards stored on the NASMA website to show any potential buyer. Any mule or donkey can be registered with NASMA parental heritage is not necessary to complete this.
When I asked a first-year rider what she felt was the most important quality in ETS, her reply was “the comradery the willingness of everyone to help and the quality of horsemanship is what hooked her on ETS.”
When one of our judges was asked what, she felt was the best thing about ETS she replied” a chance to share incredible experiences with amazing people and their equine partners.”
I ask a senior rider and her reply was” a level playing field and you can be as competitive as you want since you are really competing against the obstacle.”
Continued on PG 28 >>
NASMA Registry you can trace their lineage, keep track of their progress in the show ring and out on the trail. There are some great individuals raising, breeding, and training some outstanding stock these days. Breeding gaited, western, reining, sport horse, speed event bred mares to make a mule for whatever sport you enjoy.
By having your stock registered you’re able to track their show point progress and hours spent out on the trail.
NASMA has a wonderful website that keeps track and you’ll have written proof of their titles and awards stored on the NASMA website to show any potential buyer. Any mule or donkey can be registered with NASMA parental heritage is not necessary to complete this.
Each show year begins January 1 and ends December 31st. In all seasons, mules and donkey compete across the country at NASMA approved shows in events such as western pleasure, trail, halter, English, hunter hack, coon jumping and even speed events to include barrel racing and pole bending. There are numerous division and high points given from halter high points to 10 & under walk trot high points. Each year in July NASMA Members gather in Shelbyville, Tennessee for their annual meetings and awards presentations and their national mule show. People come early and stay all week for the festivities the final three days these members compete fiercely for national titles and awards. The National Show is in Shelbyville is set for July 6-8th 2017.
Toni and Roger Sheads
Anthony Antescape Photos