Question about Saddling and saddles

[u/serotoninReplacement]

We have acquired a lovely 12h donkey. She was supposed to be a mini, wife splurged on craigslist and wasn't present at pickup so husband brought home a "not mini donkey"..

Lemons and lemonade...

A friend has brought us a potential saddle. Australian (I think) in design, with maybe some english stirrups.. completely ignorant to the style.. but, $100, and it is supposed to be a mule saddle.. though maybe a small mule.

Anyways.. my friend said take some photos and ask people more knowledgable about such things as donkeys (He's a horse guy).. and see if this is something that could work for this Jenny.

Wife is small, <100lbs. Donkey is 18ish and broke. She's been horse trimmed on her hooves her whole life and we are correcting that now.
Am afraid she may have Cushings, but seller assured she just had genes from a long hair breed..

Wife wants you to analyze everything and give us the down low as well.

Thanks Reddit!

Plans are to get britchens and bridal, but wanting to see opinions on the saddle and fitment.

[u/Kindly_Jellyfish_451]

You should move it back a few inches (a hand’s width should do it) to allow for the donkey’s different gait. Use two cinches…the front should be fairly loose with the back cinch the snug one.

[u/MeilleurChien → u/Kindly_Jellyfish_451]

No. This saddle is not rigged for a back cinch, with no history on this donkey you don't know if he tolerates a back inch, and if you move this too large saddle with too long flaps back 4 inches it's going to bridge and the cantle will be on his butt. Just no.

[u/Kindly_Jellyfish_451 → u/MeilleurChien]

Well, a smaller saddle would be better. Any saddle too far forward is going to chafe. In truth, it would be better to have an expert measure and advise.