Inflatable saddle helps women in labour overseas
A special saddle has been created to help women in labour reach hospitals in remote areas overseas.
SaddleAid’s emergency saddle features an inflatable pillow that sits all the way round the rider for support.
The saddle has been in use since it was initially tested in Balkh province of Afghanistan in 2012 and has been adapted several times following feedback from locals.
Donkeys are a vital lifeline in these areas, as even if a 4×4 is available, the mountainous passes are often too steep for motorised vehicles.
“The saddle is designed to keep the rider still, comfortable and warm at the same time,” said Peter Muckle of SaddleAid.
“If something goes wrong in the mountains they’re a long way from help. The saddle allows them to be taken to hospital as quickly and as comfortably.
“It’s also really comfortable for the animal. They have gone down really well.”
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Peter has been working on the design for four years using his own donkey Queenie.
The saddle, which is suitable for donkeys, mules and ponies, weighs about 8kg and features a quick release mechanism that makes it easy to get off the animal.
Formerly, donkeys had been carrying far heavier saddles that used two stuffed sacks to support the women — each weighing around 20kg.
Peter recently saddles to northern Ethiopia to be tested and hopes to introduce it to further locations.
He is in the process of creating a pattern that local people can use to create their own saddles using affordable and readily available materials.
For more information visit: www.saddleaid.org
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.