Ken Lyndon-Dykes’ Column
The Experiences and Thoughts of a Saddle Fitter.
This month: The Bearer of Good News.
Every now and then I am obliged to give clients news they would rather not hear. Fairly typical examples are a tree that was broken when the horse rolled because the owner didn't bother to tie him up after tacking up! The rider who wants to trade in a good make of saddle that would have held its price very well - if only it had been properly looked after. One of the most difficult situations occurs when a child has a sudden growth spurt and patently needs a larger saddle. Every now and then I am forced to say that the pony is too small and close coupled to accommodate a saddle of the size needed by the young person - and the only real solution is to sell the pony and buy something bigger.
I don't enjoy dealing with these sorts of situations but they are, of course, all part of my job - but just recently I had the pleasure of giving clients some good news for a change.
I drove into a yard and watched a very nice yellow Labrador playing with a toy. He was shaking and worrying it and altogether having a good time. As he got closer I realised the toy was an old Teddy bear. He had a noticeably humped back and very long arms. Then I noticed a piece of metal in the bear's ear. Surely not? At that moment the client arrived. After the usual greetings, I asked if I might take a closer look at the dog's toy. The client gave me worried look - he'd obviously decided I was having a strange day - but he agreed. Lo and behold - as I thought - the bear was a Steiff identified by the still intact pin in his ear. 'He's very old', the client said, now totally convinced that I was having a very strange day, 'he was my grandfather's'. I explained that, although in not brilliant condition, the bear could still be worth quite a lot of money and suggested the client asked Christie's or Sotherby's for a valuation. A little while later I discovered the client had done that very thing - and the valuation was £1,000! Needless to say, the client was delighted!
Just a day or two later, I visited a client whose horses and ponies I had been looking after for several years - on this occasion to look at the youngest child's saddle. I thought of the child as little more than a baby but, since I'd last seen her, she had grown up a lot and was now a bright and happy eight-year-old. Like the rest of her family, she was tall and slim. When the pony and the saddle were brought out my heart sank. The charming little Welsh Section A gelding couldn't accommodate a saddle sufficiently long to suit the leggy child. Both mother and daughter were looking anxious - they already suspected the worst. 'I know Florence needs a bigger pony but that means we must sell him' - indicating the little Welshman. 'He's been an absolute star and none of us can bear the thought of his going to a home where he won't be loved and appreciated. We'd ideally like him to go to a really keen child who is part of a big family that keeps several horses and ponies.' 'What an amazing coincidence', I said, 'only last week some clients I've known for years telephoned to ask if I knew of a really brilliant small pony for sale that would suit their seven-year- old daughter. They're a big family too - and they're involved in just about every equestrian discipline. Even the great grandmother is still keen - she's given up riding but, although she must be getting on for ninety, she's taken to driving her old cob'.
I made the introduction and the pony was sold on. A lucky animal, he went from one really good home to another - and the story gets even better! I was able to put his original owners in touch with a family that was selling a very good Pony Club type. All the transactions went through without problems - and I received a case of very nice wine for my efforts!
My last happy story goes back a little while and began in strange - and rather unhappy - circumstances. I was called in as a consultant by a vet who, for two or three weeks, had been dealing with a horse with an apparent 'back problem'. Bought not too long before, the animal had become quite nappy and difficult. The vet had examined the horse when he was purchased and thought him a 'very useful animal that certainly hadn't demonstrated any problems at that time'. Now, although the horse was sound, the animal had several tender places along his back.
A really nice sort, the horse was a dark bay, had a lovely eye, good limbs and was well proportioned - and he appeared to have a really nice temperament. All that changed when the saddle was produced. Ears back, tail lashing, he turned his back and gave every indication that he intended to kick. 'May I just look at the saddle?' I asked. One look was enough. 'Even without checking the fit on the horse's back, I can tell you that this saddle is far, far too narrow. In fact, the gullet is so restricted, it wouldn't be suitable for any horse at all!' The rider looked shocked. The vet looked relieved, presumably because he now had the answer to the horse's problems.
The story doesn't quite end here. It transpired that the rider had bought the saddle on the internet. He explained that he'd checked the length of the saddle but hadn't realised that the width was equally important! And, quite obviously, someone had off-loaded a saddle with a serious deficiency. I suggested the horse was turned away for three or four weeks which would allow time for his back to recover and for him to get over the traumatic experiences relating to the too narrow saddle. About four weeks afterwards I fitted the horse with another saddle. I gather all the napping and nastiness has stopped and rider and horse are now forming a real partnership. What a good job the rider at least had sufficient sense to get help soon after the problems started. All's well that ends well!
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.
