By Patrick Baker
Dad moved to Natal from Johannesburg in the early 1960s – he had qualified from Onderstepoort and realised there was an opportunity to specialise in equine veterinary work in Newmarket, Durban.
One of his first major breaks was when The Saunders family from Tongaat Sugar in those days offered him the opportunity to take care of the 800 mules that pulled sugar cane in the cane fields. Dad treated all animals – from donkeys to ducks, giraffes, zebras, yellow billed kites, owls, and all breeds of dogs and cats… but horses were his passion.
Dad moved to Summerveld with my mom Janet in 1965, where he built Littlefields Farm and the first veterinary hospital of its kind in South Africa – the same practice is the international Baker and McVeigh Hospital of today. He also started a taxi service in Summerveld so that all the local school kids could get to the farm schools in the valley, all at his own cost.
Dad worked with some of the best in the world, including Sea Cottage, Politician, Horse Chestnut, London News and Flaming Rock. He spent his time travelling and learning from the best, and was always so happy to share his knowledge with all those around him. He was never about the money, it was the welfare of an animal that was paramount to him. He was well known in the community for his exceptional kindness.
In his later life dad spent time with American horse whisperer Monty Roberts, and was the pioneer of Equine Acupuncture in South Africa. He even went to Egypt to sort out a few pack camels, and ended up helping with some top Arab horses.
Dad loved the bush and animals of the wild, loved his home and feeding the birds, loved his friends and a good braai. He was an incredible father to James, David and myself (Pucky), and extra special to his nine grandchildren.
Rest in peace, Bakes.