KEN'S COLUMN
Dark, Dreary, Damp and Dismal
I could be talking about the news – in fact, I am referring to the weather. February is not the greatest month for working outdoors. After all, it is traditionally the wettest month of the year. It’s possible this will change, though, because the Hadley Centre which advises on climate change is predicting less rainfall in the summer – and more in the winter months. They are also forecasting periods of ‘torrential’ rain and this is worrying because inevitably flash flooding will occur – and we have all been involved, or witnessed, the terrible devastation this can create. Anyway, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. No doubt anyone who knows their property is built on a flood plain – or is aware that water run-off from hard surfaces can create problems in the area – will take as many precautions as possible.
Looking after land used by horses is not easy at any time. It’s nice to picture a blue sky, immaculately maintained pasture and a couple of horses standing head-to-tail taking advantage of a group of well established trees to shelter from the sun. A wonderfully somnolent, peaceful and idyllic scene – but how often it involves something quite different. Wind under their tails, horses galloping round a paddock churning up the grass to the point of destruction. Mud, mud – and more mud - water lying in every area of low ground - and the knowledge that setting paddocks to anything like right is going to take a lot of work! It is easy to understand why farmers, even those who ride, have always regarded horses as the very worst grazing animals. Hitherto, weather reports have given us a fair indication of when it might be best to preserve precious grazing by keeping horses indoors. Now it seems that increasingly uncertain weather patterns are going to make forecasting more difficult.
Quite recently I invited anyone who was interested in making a career in saddle fitting – or was already involved and wanted extra work – to contact me. I interviewed a lot of applicants in different parts of the country and am fortunate to have been able to appoint some excellent people. I think what staggered me, however, was the unrealistic expectations of some applicants. I have been saddle fitting for something like thirty years and was probably the first person in the UK to concentrate entirely on offering specialist services. It was always apparent to me that it could never be a nine o’clock-to-five o’clock job. I knew the weather could be extreme and was prepared to work in gruellingly debilitating heat, extreme cold – and, of course, rain! It was very obvious to me that some horses would need special care because they were young and inexperienced, nervous – or just downright ill-mannered. It never occurred to me that every client would be considerate, appreciative and sensible and prepared to take advice. (Let me quickly say, the vast majority are all those things – and this makes the exceptions all the more notable!)
Then there are the times when you have driven a considerable distance and arrive to find that the horse was turned out that morning – in a muddy field, of course - and now refuses to be caught (I am afraid I normally make a charge for wasted time when this occurs!).. Or the owner who arrives late – minus riding clothes – and thinks the saddle fitting can take place without her involvement. And so on!
So what I am really saying– anyone who is a fulltime saddle fitting specialist, or wishes to train as such, must expect to work some unsocial hours. They would be very lucky indeed not to come across a fair percentage of horses that, for one reason or another, are going to occupy more time than they expected. And a very, very few clients will be almost impossibly difficult. Add to this that a small number of horses are genuinely difficult to fit – and that owners’ descriptions of themselves and their horses can be inaccurate to the point of absolutely no resemblance! (The flat-topped cob described as ‘Thoroughbred type’; the rider who tells you she weighs ‘about nine stone’ and is closer to twelve ; the mother who describes her offspring as ‘very experienced ‘ and it turns out he has been having weekly riding lessons for under a year! I promise you, it happens!)
What do you get on the plus-side? You get to meet a lot of people from all walks of life. Most of them are prepared to put their horse’s welfare before that of their own – and occasionally, before that of their families! You meet some quite incredibly talented people. You meet others, who despite a serious disability, ride to an amazingly high standard. You meet a lot of dedicated people – and very few charlatans (but they do exist!). In short, you meet lots and lots of very, very nice people.
Every job has its downside. It’s my belief that saddle fitting has fewer than most!
KEN LYNDON DYKES is a Society of Master Saddlers’ qualified saddle fitter who specialises in fitting competition horses. He is also available to give talks and demonstration for any type of equestrian group. KEN can be contacted on 07973 501873 (mobile) or at SADDLEWORLD’S head office – 01622 844440.
