Product Code Database
A crupper (; "Crupper," Dictionary.com Web page accessed August 31, 2008 occ. spelled crouperElser, Smoke and Bill Brown (1980) Packin' in on horses and mules, Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana, USA. 158 pages.) is a piece of horse tack used on and other equids to keep a saddle, horse harness or other equipment from sliding forward.
Usually made of leather, the crupper loop is stuffed, traditionally with linseed to keep it supple in use, and molded into a tube that is shaped into a loop. The crupper may be sewn to its strap, or attached to the strap by one or two buckles. If the crupper has no buckle, then the skirt of the horse's tail is folded up onto the tailbone and the tailbone is slipped through the crupper. If it has buckles, the crupper is unbuckled and passed under the dock.
A crupper needs to be snug enough to keep the saddle or harness in place, but not so tight that the horse is irritated or the skin of the tail is damaged. Cruppers are adjusted to engage only when needed; pressure is not meant to be constantly applied. If a crupper is too tight, it can cause severe chafing, discomfort and sores. If it is too loose, the saddle or harness may not stay in the proper position. If used in an improper manner for too long a period of time, the horse may even become disabled in the hindquarters. The loop of a crupper is kept very clean. Jahiel, Jessica. "Worried about horse's reaction to crupper" Horse Sense. Accessed September 1, 2008
When riding, cruppers are particularly useful on animals with low withers, because this conformation allows the saddle to slip forward as the animal travels downhill. Though not a substitute for a correctly fitted saddle, they are often used on , as many saddles, particularly those made for horses, are more likely to slide forward on a flatter-backed mule. "Mule Saddles". Web page accessed August 31, 2008 McClintock, Garry. "Saddles and Mules" Southwest Trails with Garry McClintock web site accessed September 1, 2008
The crupper strap may be single or double (forked). "Crupper" It usually attaches via a snap or buckle to a crupper ring at the center of the saddle of the saddle, or to a pair of rings (dees) on either side of the cantle. Many riding saddles today are manufactured without properly placed rings, though rings can be added. Or, in lieu of rings, a design used on utilizes a t-shaped brace that is inserted under the saddle between the rear panels and the tree. "Crupper" from SmartPak Equine Web page accessed September 1, 2008
Cruppers are not common on , but some English saddles are designed with crupper rings, particularly those designed to fit . Tatum, Vicki. "English Saddles" Muleinfo.com Web page accessed September 1, 2008.
Cruppers are seen on the saddles of some horses used to work cattle with a lance (such as horses of the buttero in Europe), but not on horses used to work cattle with a lasso.
Cruppers were once part of the standard design of cavalry saddles. The McClellan saddle used by the United States Army utilized an optional crupper into the early 20th century, though difficulties with proper fitting eventually led the army to discontinue its use. "Fitting a McClellan" Web page accessed August 31, 2008 "McClellan Saddles" Web page accessed August 31, 2008 Cruppers continue to be part of the ceremonial tack for some cavalry regiments and tent pegging teams.
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