ENGLISH SADDLES
by Vicki Tatum, Florida
People who ride their mules in an english saddle do not seem to have the same fit problems as people who use a western saddle. Maybe that's because of the generally shorter tree of the english saddle. Or maybe it's because the stuffed panel will shift somewhat to conform to the mule's back and it puts more cushion between the mule's back and the actual tree than on a western saddle. Maybe it's because people don't usually use an english saddle for multi-day trips with rugged mountain riding. Or maybe english riders do have problems with fitting their mules but it just isn't as widely known or discussed. I don't know. In any event, there aren't any ready-made english saddles marketed specifically to mule riders, but most mule riders appear to make do fairly well with english saddles made for horses.
The mule owner has several decisions to make when purchasing an english saddle. First, there are several different types.
Gaited mules are sometimes ridden in a saddle seat saddle.
Many people use "all-purpose" saddles, which are designed for casual trail riding, elementary dressage, and the occasional round of jumping. People who specialize in a particular discipline, such as dressage or show jumping, select a saddle designed specifically for those activities.
Once the type of english saddle is selected, the biggest decision the rider has to make is synthetic or leather. Synthetics seem to have captured a much greater share of the market in english saddles than in western saddles. Synthetic saddles are typically lighter, less expensive, and easier to care for than leather saddles. Good leather saddles, on the other hand, will last a lifetime if properly cared for, look beautiful, and have that wonderful leather smell and feel.
Unlike western saddles, where the shape and angle of the bars of the saddle tree are the critical fit points, the fit of an english saddle depends primarily on the distance between the points of the tree, also referred to as the width of the gullet. This is nicely illustrated on this page of the Courbette Saddlery Company web site. Many english saddles come in two or more tree widths and some models come with some system that allows the gullet width to be adjusted to fit.
Be aware that a "regular" width tree in one brand of saddle may be a significantly different size than the "regular" width tree in another brand.
There is one english saddle that is suggested by its manufacturer for use on mules. The Balance Soft Option saddle has a rigid framework (tree) in the front half of the saddle only. The back of the saddle is fully flexible. This means that it can easily conform to the mule's flatter back. The saddles come in several different widths and lengths. The Balance International web site doesn't list prices, but I recently saw an ad for a used Balance Soft Option dressage model that said the price new was $2700. The Balance International web site is pretty interesting and worth taking a look at.
On her web site, Meredith Hodges, of the Lucky Three Ranch, notes that she has had good luck with saddles made by Passier and Courbette on her mules. Passier saddles are manufactured in Germany and sold by many tack shops in the US. The Passier web site has a neat quiz feature that lets you find out which saddle type is best for you. When I was in college, the school's riding program used Passier saddles. The same style of saddle seemed to fit everything from quarter horses to thoroughbreds and they held up remarkably well under hard use and marginal care. Passier saddles start at around $1500, but most are over $2000.
Courbette saddles are manufactured in Switzerland and Gemany exclusively for the North American market. The main company web site will direct you to dealers in your state, many of whom, it says, will allow you to take a saddle for a test ride before purchase. Courbette saddles range in price from around $600 up to around $2,000, with the Swiss-made styles being generally less expensive.
Back in the '70s when I was a high school student riding hunters, I lusted mightily after the Siegfried saddle manufactured by Stubben. It was a thing of beauty. The deep seat and thick knee rolls cradled the rider in secure comfort. Alas, it was far beyond my means. Babysitting only paid $1/hour back then. Today Stubben makes a wide variety of good quality english saddles starting in price at around $1000, although most are closer to $2000. They still make the Siegfried too, and note that it is "one of the world's most popular saddles." (click on image at right to enlarge)
Bates Australia produces two lines of saddles Bates and Wintec. The Bates line is crafted of leather, while the Wintec is made from synthetic materials. Both lines are manufactured with the Easy Change gullet system and CAIR panels.
The Easy Change gullets allow you to chose one of 6 different size inserts in order to fit the gullet width of your saddle to your mule's back and the gullets can be changed as needed if your mule gains or loses weight. 
The CAIR panels replace the traitional wool-flocked panels with sealed air chambers, so the underside of the saddle will conform to the shape of your mule's back, thus eliminating pressure points. Wintec has recently released a new "Wintec Wide" model for equines with broad, flat backs. The Wintec Wide can be used with 1 of 3 gullet inserts which are wider than the "extra-wide" of the regular set. (click on image at right to enlarge)
Both Bates and Wintec saddles are available from many tack shops in the US. Many of the Bates models are priced between $1000 and $2000. The Wintecs are generally priced less than $1000, with the least expensive models costing only a few hundred dollars. Because they're so popular, you also have a pretty good chance of finding inexpensive used models, although the Easy Change gullets and CAIR panels are recent additions, so used ones may not have these features.
Duett Saddles are manufactured in Germany
specifically for equines with broad, flat backs. The narrowest of the Duett saddles have about the same gullet width as most saddle manufacturers' medium-wide width saddles. In addition to wide gullets, the panels of the Duett saddles are flatter and wider for a more stable fit on the "table-backed" equine. Plus, many of the saddles come equipped with an attachment for a crupper, a handy feature for most mule riders. The saddles are available directly through the web site and start at about $600. (click on image at right to enlarge)
Comments from mule riders that use english saddles
I use a Wintec AP2000, an all-purpose style that has the easy change gullet and CAIR panels. I love the way it fits my mule; I don't even need a crupper to keep it in place. It is also comfortable to ride in and the equisuede seat is very 'grippy" and secure feeling. Plus, I love the light weight and easy cleaning of the synthetic saddle. I will say, though, that with respect to the gullet plates, "easy change" is all relative. Personally, it takes me about 15 minutes and most of my vocabulary of 4-letter words. I sure wouldn't consider it a viable option to change gullets on a daily basis so two different width mules could share the same saddle. It is a great option, though, for adjusting the fit as your mule grows or when you sell one mule and buy another. 
My mule has really broad shoulders, low withers, and a round, flat back. The Duett Rondo, an all-purpose saddle, is a great fit. It kind of snuggles down around her barrel right behind her shoulders, so I feel like I'm really sitting on my mule instead of perching up above her back. I do need to use a crupper to keep it from sliding forward, but unlike most every other english saddle I've ever seen, the Rondo comes complete with a crupper attachment.
I've had a Stubben Portos for years. The quality is top-notch and the saddle is comfortable to ride in. It fits my narrow mule pretty well, but doesn't come close to fitting the wide-backed one.
Please note: We are not endorsing any of the companies mentioned, but are simply making you aware of their existence.
English Saddle Links Manufacturers' Web Sites Balance International Tack Shops Adams Horse Supplies carries a variety of english saddles, including the new Wintec Wide model. Dover Saddlery carries a variety of english saddles. Stateline Tack carries a variety of english saddles. Trumbull Mountain Tack Shop Inc. sells a variety of english saddles, including dressage, jumping, all-purpose, and endurance styles. The folks that work there are knowledgeable, have fitted a few mules in the past, and have the most spectacular saddle trial policy I've seen: they ship you the saddle, you ride in it for a week, and if you decide you don't like it, simply ship it back. All it costs is $25 for shipping and handling. Yes, they do charge your credit card for the purchase price before shipping, but when you return the saddle, you're credited for the full amount. Most tack shops that allow you to take a saddle on trial practically require that you cover it with bubble wrap while using it so as not to get any marks on the flaps, billet straps, or underside. Trumbull Mountain understands that you can't tell if the saddle is going to work for you unless you really use it.
Bates Australia
Courbette
Duett Saddles
Passier
Stubben
Wintec