KEN'S COLUMN
Recognising value!
‘You get what you pay for’ – familiar words - and generally true. But there are exceptions where we actually get more – in real terms – than we pay for - and I believe one of these exceptions relates to a large portion of British-made saddlery!
The ‘bargains’ involved go unrecognised – and I will explain why! Saddles cost a lot of money – but many quality British-made saddles represent quite incredible value. The situation is this: my company holds a stock of over a thousand saddles, some of which are eminent continental brands. Germany, France and Italy are among the continental countries that produce some truly excellent saddles. The price labels are high - but few would say they are too high. After all, they incorporate excellent design, top-of-the-range materials and exemplary craftsmanship. The prices are right – they are fair – you get what you pay for! But are they better than many of the saddles made in this country? No – they are not! Yet many of the British-made counterparts sell at much lower prices!
The vast majority of my clients take my advice and trust me to select the right saddle – the one that affords the best fit for their horse, is appropriate for their needs and most likely to benefit the production of optimum performance. Naturally, everyone has a budget – and this is an important consideration, especially in the current economic climate. It’s at times like these that we need to recognise that this country has some fantastic saddle-makers who easily rival their counterparts on the continent.
Bear in mind - like many other goods we import from the continent, the ‘panache’ attached by just applying the prefix ‘French’ or ‘German’ or ‘Italian’. It’s all in the mind! Continental is perceived as ‘elegant’, ‘a la mode’ - and very desirable. We seem to enjoy profiling ‘British-made’ as ‘not as good’. We almost totally fail to recognise that it is often better!
Buying British is good for the pocket – and benefits the UK economy. I would very strongly suggest that, in real terms, one often gets more than one pays for! One more point on subject of ‘value’. I would rather fit a quality, well-made, well-looked-after second-hand saddle than a new saddle that is inferior in design and/or materials and/or manufacture! But then – I make a point of not stocking the latter – EVER!
Another caveat I would like to make in relation to value for money. Just recently I came across a deliberate scam of the meanest type. I was asked, by a vet, to consult in connection with a cob that had developed several sensitive areas along his back. Nice friendly, well mannered chap with quite good conformation that included reasonably defined withers –unusual in cob types – and decent limbs. I was amazed he behaved so well when I saw the state of his back. Places where almost all the hair had been rubbed off around his withers – sensitivity all along the spine - bare patches in front of his haunches.
The saddle was presented – and the problem was obvious. The gullet was so wide that I cannot recall ever having seen a horse for which it would be suitable. It transpired that the horse was bought ‘complete with tack’. The bridle didn’t fit either – and the bit was cruelly small. One rug swamped – and the other pulled tight everywhere.
Perhaps the most significant element of this story relates to the fact that the cob’s original owner had obviously looked after the animal very well – yet was quite happy to sell him on with tack and equipment that didn’t fit! An expensive scam as far as the new owner is concerned - and definitely cruel to the cob!
KEN LYNDON DYKES is a Society of Master Saddlers qualified saddle fitter. He specialises in fitting competition and ‘difficult’ horses. He is the author of what is considered the best-ever book about saddle fitting (‘Practical Saddle Fitting’ published J.A.Allen) and is much in demand to give talks and demonstrations. Mobile: 07973 501873.
