Ken Lyndon-Dykes’ Column
The Experiences and Thoughts of a Saddle Fitter.
THIS MONTH: BLACKBERRIES - AND TIME FOR A TONIC.
Not something you hear much these days - but the old time yard managers and grooms used to refer to this time of the year as 'Blackberry time'. This would be accompanied by a knowing look and a shaking of the head. The theory was that horses, coinciding with the traditional Blackberry picking period, are never at their best, go off colour and look decidedly jaded. Many modern owners would agree that it isn't the best time for horses. Normally they begin changing their coats about this time and can look dowdy and a little moth eaten before the new coat is set. The old timers firmly believed that the animals were run down round about September and they would provide their charges with a 'tonic' in the form of a bottle of stout added to their food or some other favoured 'pick-me-up'. This year the continuous hot weather has confused nature and, as I tap away on the computer, I note that many horses still have their full summer coats with not a trace of their winter attire making a showing. No doubt the seasons will catch up and it will be interesting to see how everything adjusts.
Something else that's changed is the length of the show season. It used to start round about Easter and every week would be packed up to the Horse of the Year Show and Burghley. After that, a considerable proportion of horses would be turned away for a welcome break. Hunting would come into its own, owners whose main interest was following hounds would be anticipating a good season and cubbing would be well under way. All that's changed too. Hunting no longer exists in real form - and well before the outdoor show season finishes, the winter one will be packing the arenas. There's no any such thing as a closed season and the traditional Boxing Day meet must compete with numerous indoor shows.
These alterations to the equestrian calendar inevitably influence bookings for saddle-fitting checks. It was fairly obvious to most owners that the crucial periods for checks coincided with the alterations to the horse's regular routine that resulted in the animal changing shape. Obvious times such as the end of a long, hard summer season - or when the animal was put back into work at the end of a break at grass - or when the horse recommenced work after being laid up due to an injury. Nowadays owners don't have such obvious factors to guide them and this makes careful monitoring of the horse's shape doubly important. Anyone with half an eye can't fail to notice that young horses can grow and change shape rapidly. Monitoring the 'grownup' horse that is stable kept and maintains a similar routine throughout the year is more difficult but, as a good guide, the saddle should certainly be checked at least once a year. It isn't just a case of the horse 'growing', 'getting fitter', being 'fatter'. Society of Master Saddlers' Qualified Saddle Fitters necessarily have trained eyes able to spot the development of asymmetrical musculature and other factors that influence the way the saddle fits and which could possibly indicate an underlying veterinary or other problem. They will also check the saddle for weakened stitching, worn stirrup leathers and the like.
Which brings me round to the Society's Saddle Fitting Qualification. It is not always understood that the course and assessment for the qualification are restricted to members of The Society of Master Saddlers. Applicants wishing to undertake the assessment must have a MINIMUM of three years' experience (most have more). The names of those who pass the assessment are added to the Society's Register and thereafter they must re-register annually and undertake a refresher course every two years. I mention this because every so often some uninformed person will suggest the Society's qualification is virtually automatic for all members who wish to apply. Far from it! Assessment is actually very stringent and candidates are required to have a broad and in-depth range of knowledge. Horse owners in this country are fortunate - the UK is the only country in the world to benefit from having a well-structured, carefully monitored, non-commercially linked saddle fitting qualification. It would be nice if there was greater recognition and more appreciation of The Society of Master Saddlers - the leading professional body in the saddlery industry world-wide.
KEN LYNDON DYKES specialises in fitting competition horses and also in remedial and 'difficult' fittings. He is available to give talks and demonstrations for any type and size of equestrian group. Call Ken at head office - 01622 844440 - on his mobile - 07973 501873.
