KEN'S COLUMN
Expect to pay !
We – at Saddleworld - make a call-out charge in relation to saddle fitting. We have done so for several years and so I was quite surprised when, a few days ago, I was asked how I justify the charges.
Well – turning the question on its head: do horse owners expect to pay a fee when they call out their vet? Yes. A ‘journey charge’ - or similar - when they want the services of their farrier? Yes. When the washing machine breaks down, does the engineer apply call-out charges? Yes. When water pours out of a pipe, does the plumber expect to extract a call-out charge? Yes – and if the call is considered to be during what are termed ‘unsocial hours’, the charge is likely to be astronomic!
I could rest my case here – but I am going to carry the argument further. It takes a minimum of three years to achieve the coveted Society of Master Saddlers’ saddle fitting qualification. The experience of most candidates extends over a much longer period. The professional saddle fitter provides services based on expertise – and his – or her - responsibilities involve the welfare and the safety and the performance of horse and rider.
A saddle that doesn’t afford a good fit can result in any number of veterinary issues. Many of them will be difficult to diagnose and treatment may well involve several visits from the vet and various other specialists. That is likely to involve a sum that outweighs – by a very long way – the call-out charge imposed by the saddle fitter.
A veterinary problem that is the result of a saddle that rubs or creates pressure points - or is inadequate in some other way - will very likely produce knock-on effects relating to temperament and behaviour.
When I have been called in to undertake remedial fittings, I have witnessed occasions when the horse has become difficult to saddle and/or to mount or has displayed other seriously unwanted behaviour. Problems of this sort quickly become habitual and can be very hard to ‘cure’. In the worst case scenario, the owner may have to resort to using the services of a professional trainer or instructor – and that, of course, won’t cost pennies!
One of the problems with the equestrian world relates to the fact that, for owners, horses are a hobby, a recreation, a sport. And, of course, this applies similarly for a lot of people who work in the industry. When I was three-day eventing, a lot of my friends were involved in an equestrian-related business of one type or another. Today, when I look down the list of members of the Society of Master Saddlers, it is no surprise that so many of them have active involvement with horses – eventing, driving, show-jumping, dressage, showing, breeding, polo, hunting – are all represented. I think this confuses the picture: who, when and what should be charged.
I give you an example. When I was competing, every now and then I would help out a fellow competitor who had left an essential item of tack – or clothing – back in the yard. Did I charge? No – of course not – we were all mates helping one another out. But when one of them asked me to fit a new saddle did I charge? Of course I did. The responsibilities I have described applied to the fitting I carried out. And apart from anything else, we all have to earn a living!
KEN LYNDON DYKES is an ex-international level three day event rider. A qualified Society of Master Saddlers’ saddle fitter, his specialities include competition horses and ‘difficult’ fittings. KEN can be contacted at head office (01622 844440) or on his mobile (07973 501873).
