Black Bart Donkeys

are the finest line

of Donkey

We have the Donkey saddle that works!

Designed and tested by Steve Edwards.

Saddling donkeys for riding

By Hal Walter

Hal has the Trail-lite saddle

Redbo in a Steve Edwards saddle.

A favorite old rancher once told me: “It’s better to get where you’re going on a slow horse than to

go to the hospital on a fast horse.” Frankly, I won’t ride anything with ears that short.

When I first started riding my donkeys it was purely bareback. Back then I didn’t really ride often enough to make buying a saddle worthwhile. Over time, however, I became more interested

in my donks as riding animals.

Thus began my great saddle search. First, was an old McClellan infantry saddle that I found in the

corner of a local saddle shop and had jury-rigged to make it easier and quicker to saddle my animals.

In many ways, this was one of the best choices I made. It was light and fit the donkeys well, but it was

hard as a rock and not very comfortable for me.

I went through a series of other saddles, all of which I bought, rode for a while, and then sold when I

found them to be less than ideal. These included an Australian saddle, a treeless saddle, and a synthetic

Western horse saddle.

My most recent saddle has been a Steve Edwards Trail Rider Lite, and this saddle has by far been the best.

Steve designed this saddle around mule bars that he also developed. I like the way it fits my animals and also

the way it fits me. It’s light at just 18 pounds. The breast collar rigging is unique and does not fall down

around the donkey’s chest. I’m sure Steve’s Britchin’ is nice too but I’m still saving my pennies to completely

outfit my rig.

Dear Steve-

I am taking a moment to thank you for how much my donkeys' behavior under saddle has improved since I began purchasing your tack!  In the fall of 2010 I purchased the "Mule Rider's Martingale" for each of my donkeys.  While Zoe's mouth has always been 'soft', Deets is a whole other story.  With the "Mule Rider's Martingale" Deets now turns on a dime.  This December my husband purchased "The Trail Rider Lite" with britchen and breast collar and saddle pad for Deets .

Today I went out in the ring to do a test run of all our new "equipment".  The Saddle Fitting instructional video was easy to understand and I found myself knowing exactly what to do!  I could tell Zoe was much more comfortable with the right tack and the saddle stayed put the entire time.  Deets was also much happier and for the first time under saddle he cantered!!!!!!!!  Deet's new motto is "I cantered for the first time under saddle in a Steve Edwards' Trail Rider Lite".

Thanks so much for the work you do and the way you make the lives of donkeys and mules 'better'.  Deets, Zoe, and I hope to see you September 1 and 2 at the clinic in Massachusetts.

I will send along a couple pictures; one of a friend of mine riding Deets and the other of Zoe.

Best,

Ashley Moore, NH
"Well-behaved women rarely make history"    Laurel Thatcher Ulrich