KEN'S COLUMN Obstacles to Success !
A couple of months’ ago I gave a talk for a riding group attached to quite a big competition yard. I always include a ‘questions’ session at the end of these events and on this occasion a member of the audience asked me to list the ten biggest obstacles relating to saddles and saddle fitting in terms of horses’ welfare. I gave what I thought was a fairly comprehensive answer and the evening’s chairman then suggested the audience debate the order in which the obstacles should be placed - starting with the most insuperable/difficult to remedy.
The ten obstacles I cited were:
• (A) A saddle that is poorly designed and incorporates features rendering it unsuitable for the vast majority of horses. I pointed out that it was important to separate design from craftsmanship and that it was possible for a badly designed saddle to incorporate excellent workmanship.
• (B) Riding ‘problems’ that resulted in unwanted knock-on effects on the saddle which, in turn, affected the horse. I cited, as examples, the rider who sits crookedly causing the saddle to become unbalanced and located to one side which, in turn, makes the horse ‘crooked. The rider who gets ‘left behind’ and thumps/crashes on the back of the saddle which causes the horse to hollow its back/run away from the discomfort/results in the horse suffering severe contusion under the back of the saddle.
• (C) Inadequate saddle fitting that doesn’t take account of idiosyncrasies in the horse’s conformation. The examples I cited included the extremely narrow horse with a long, razor-sharp wither. The animal with very little wither definition made more difficult by being too fat. The horse that is naturally sway- backed. (Nb: dealing with conformation ‘deviations’ demands special consideration by a very experienced saddle fitter.)
• (D) Poor materials which normally go hand in hand with unacceptable workmanship and/or poor design. Society of Master Saddlers’ saddle fitters do not stock poor quality saddles but horse owners are sometimes tempted – usually because the prices quoted appear attractive - to purchase off the internet. What seems like a low price is, in reality, very expensive!
• (E) Manufacturing inadequacies, for example, poor flocking which results in asymmetric panels. Problems of this type should be weeded out during the manufacturer’s quality control processes. If a saddle with unequal panels reaches the retailer, it should be returned to the saddle maker. A saddle with asymmetric panels will sit crookedly and impact on the horse’s ability to move forward and straight.
• (F) Failure to have the saddle fitted by a qualified saddle fitter. This poses serious implications in relation to the welfare of the horse, the comfort of the rider and the safety and performance of both horse and rider.
• (G) Swapping’ and ‘borrowing’ saddles. A saddle adopts the contours of the horse on which it is normally used – including asymmetry. Using it on another horse will ‘pass on’ any asymmetry.
• (H) Buying a second-hand saddle and assuming that - because the measurements seem to be ‘right’ - it isn’t necessary to have it fitted. Because saddles are largely craftsman-made, no two are completely the same. Furthermore, manufacturers’ measurements tend to be rather individual so that one maker’s 17inch may be another’s 18inch – and so on.
• (I) Ordering a saddle on the internet because the price quoted is attractive - but failing to take account of subsequent fitting charges. (And also overlooking the problems and aggravation associated with returning a saddle that doesn’t fit!)
• (J) Insisting on a buying particular brand of saddle in spite of the saddle fitter’s warning that the design is unsuitable for the horse concerned. (I have to admit, on the very rare occasions a client has put me under this type of pressure, I have walked away from the transaction on principle!)
The – very lively - debate resulted in the audience agreeing the following order starting with the most crucial.
1 J. 2 A. 3 I. 4 G. 5 B. 6 E. 7 C. 8 D. 9 F. 10 H.
Did I agree with their findings? Every single one of the examples I gave could have serious consequences, and I find it difficult to place them in a logical order. A correctly fitting saddle is at least as important - in welfare, safety and performance terms - as correct shoeing, correct bitting, correct schooling – and all the other crucial elements of equine management!
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 obtained at head office (01622 844440) or on his mobile: 07973 501873
