KEN'S COLUMN
the experiences and thoughts of a Saddle Fitter
This month: And the root cause is...?
For many years, equine veterinary professionals have been asking for my help in diagnosing equine 'bad backs' - or rather, the cause of them. Until relatively recently, when a horse was diagnosed with a back problem it was almost a foregone conclusion that 'blame' - that is the cause of the problem - would be apportioned to the saddle. In recent years things have moved forward - become more realistic - and now most equine veterinary specialists recognise that it just isn't as simple as that. Even when there is obviously a 'problem' with the saddle, it may not have been the root cause. Indeed, finding the root cause can be made complicated by any number of chicken and egg situations. Does the horse's back problem relate to a badly fitting saddle? Has it been caused by rider-related problems? Does the saddle have inherent defects? Maybe the horse's asymmetric musculature is unbalancing the saddle and so causing the rider to sit crookedly? And so on - ad infinitum.
In these enlightened days it is quite usual for a veterinary specialist to take a holistic approach to diagnosis that very possibly involves saddle fitter, trainer, physiotherapist - and so on. Expensive - yes - but nowhere near as costly as the days when the saddle was automatically blamed because it was, for example, continually moving so the side. No consideration for the fact that the root of the problem might be the rider's collapsed that was unbalancing the saddle! Conversely, did anyone pause to investigate if the horse's one-sidedness was due to poor schooling? An incorrectly fitting saddle? An unbalanced rider? Or something else? In 'the old days' (actually, not that long ago!), the saddle, perceived as the culprit, was changed. The root cause was not diagnosed and, surprise, surprise, the problems continued. Every veterinary specialist, saddle fitter, trainer - and thinking rider - will recognise this scenario and probably have firsthand experience of the complexity of sorting eggs from the chickens!
I have been asked many, many times to set up a Saddle Fitting Consultancy - and I've finally been persuaded. My experience as an international level event rider - and the fact that I have also trained horses and riders in this country and the United States - is enormously beneficial background to saddle fitting. This rare combination enables me to offer unparalleled Saddle Fitting Consultancy Services and I look forward to increasing the work I undertake with vets and other professionals. I have been working along these lines for many years and it is really only a formalisation of the services I've always offered.
Talking of which. A couple of weeks ago I had a very strange experience. I was asked to consult with a vet who was treating a horse that was exhibiting soreness in his back. He was almost equally tender on both sides corresponding with the back of the saddle. The saddle had been checked by a Society of Master Saddlers' Saddle Fitter recently who had confirmed the fit was good. I double-checked - and agreed. The vet and I watched the horse work on the lunge wearing a roller and cavesson. (I dislike intensely the practice of lungeing horses whilst saddled at the best of times - and it would certainly have been counterproductive on that occasion.) I then asked to see the horse ridden by the owner. That immediately sorted out the soreness on the near side of the horse - the rider collapsed her left hip, so much so that I was surprised the horse wasn't sorer! But that didn't account for the soreness on the offside. Then the owner asked if I'd like to see the friend ride who shared the exercising? Lo and behold - she also collapsed a hip - this time the right one! Surely a very rare combination of circumstances - the poor horse sore on both sides of his back - caused by well intentioned riders who were mortified to discover they were the cause!
KEN LYNDON DYKES specialises in fitting competition horses and those with 'difficult' conformation. Obtain Ken on 01622 844444 (head office) or 07973 502873 (mobile). To discuss the Saddle Fitting Consultancy Services, please telephone Ken on 07973 501873
FOOTNOTE. Ken's book 'Practical Saddle Fitting' is an excellent buy for anyone making a career in the equestrian industry as well as all horse owners. Published by J. A. Allen, it costs £19. 99 and is available at leading saddleries and bookshops. Anyone having difficulty in obtaining a copy should contact SADDLEWORLD: 01622 844440 (If you would like an autographed copy, contact Ken as indicated.)
