Anyone take the Master Saddler course in the US?

[Limerick]

I have developed an interest in saddle fit and see a need for a seller of higher end saddles in my area. I am looking into taking the Master Saddler course. From what I have read, it is a two week introduction course with the weeks having a six month gap between them in order to get some further in field training.

My questions are:
Have you taken the course?
Where did you take it and what was the approximate cost?
Did you study all types of saddles?
Do you feel the need to further your training through an apprenticeship?
How are you using your newly acquired saddler knowledge?

If anyone took the course in England (which I understand is quite vigorous) I would love to hear the details.

Thanks!!

[no.stirrups]

The course you are referring to is run by the County Saddlery and is not affiliated with the British organization. (Check out the page of certified saddle fitters).

The British class offered in the U.S. would be this one: http://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/pages/course3.htm
Notice you need to have already been a saddle fitter for three years before they consider you!

Everything I’ve heard about the County course is that it leaves a lot to be desired, but it also used to be shorter, I think, so probably has changed for the better. I’ve also heard that it is not so much about fitting saddles in general as it is about County saddles.

When I was asking the same questions that you are now, I received several recommendations from people I respected to check out www.SaddleGuy.com and the course he offers. So I did! I take my final exam later this month. PM me if you want more details.

Amanda

[morsekg]

[QUOTE=no.stirrups;7992487]
The course you are referring to is run by the County Saddlery and is not affiliated with the British organization. (Check out the page of certified saddle fitters).

The British class offered in the U.S. would be this one: http://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/pages/course3.htm
Notice you need to have already been a saddle fitter for three years before they consider you!

Everything I’ve heard about the County course is that it leaves a lot to be desired, but it also used to be shorter, I think, so probably has changed for the better. I’ve also heard that it is not so much about fitting saddles in general as it is about County saddles.

When I was asking the same questions that you are now, I received several recommendations from people I respected to check out www.SaddleGuy.com and the course he offers. So I did! I take my final exam later this month. PM me if you want more details.

Amanda[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the information Amanda. I too have an interest in becoming a saddle fitter but am concerned about the ability to make it a career. Obviously the program you are doing is a large commitment, but it sounds amazing. I will be sending you a PM too.

[sheltona01]

For the SMS (Society of Master Saddlers) it takes three to five years to become a qualified fitter, depending on your current knowledge. However, to take the courses here in the USA, you do not need to be a current saddle fitter. That is why you take the classes to learn. Feel free to call me to talk. I also investigated all of the different courses available here in the USA.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=sheltona01;7992689]
For the SMS (Society of Master Saddlers) it takes three to five years to become a qualified fitter, depending on your current knowledge. However, to take the courses here in the USA, you do not need to be a current saddle fitter. That is why you take the classes to learn. Feel free to call me to talk. I also investigated all of the different courses available here in the USA.[/QUOTE]
Thank you! I will be calling you to set up a time to chat.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=no.stirrups;7992487]
The course you are referring to is run by the County Saddlery and is not affiliated with the British organization. (Check out the page of certified saddle fitters).

The British class offered in the U.S. would be this one: http://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/pages/course3.htm
Notice you need to have already been a saddle fitter for three years before they consider you!

Everything I’ve heard about the County course is that it leaves a lot to be desired, but it also used to be shorter, I think, so probably has changed for the better. I’ve also heard that it is not so much about fitting saddles in general as it is about County saddles.

When I was asking the same questions that you are now, I received several recommendations from people I respected to check out www.SaddleGuy.com and the course he offers. So I did! I take my final exam later this month. PM me if you want more details.

Amanda[/QUOTE]That sounds like a great class. I am not wanting to learn to flock saddles at this point though. Am I reading correctly that it is $4500 for three weeks of classes?

[FreshAir]

[QUOTE=Limerick;7992826]
That sounds like a great class. I am not wanting to learn to flock saddles at this point though. Am I reading correctly that it is $4500 for three weeks of classes?[/QUOTE]

Really? You don’t want to learn to flock saddles? The flocking is a major part of saddle fitting. Are you going to limit your career to foam filled saddles?

[Limerick]

By saddle fitting, I mean fitting a saddle to the horse and rider. I do believe there is a lot to learn in this area alone!

[vxf111]

Annette from Hastilow offers a ‘short course’ that’s designed to be accessible to people with no prior experience…

http://www.saddleryschool.com/

I’ve always wanted to do it but the timing is always terrible for me.

[BAC]

[QUOTE=Limerick;7993074]
By saddle fitting, I mean fitting a saddle to the horse and rider. I do believe there is a lot to learn in this area alone![/QUOTE]

Fitting a saddle to a horse and rider is frequently going to require reflocking. I don’t see how you can be a decent fitter without this skill. If I hire someone to fit a saddle for me I expect them to be able to do the necessary flocking to make it fit properly.

[jaybird660]

I’ve attended several of the classes at the North American Saddlery School which is the one Annette runs with Ian and Andrew Hastilow. This is an SMS affiliated course and the NASS name is fairly new. They have different options and levels and you can learn the basics of saddle fitting to saddle construction. I highly recommend it and they have a website if you look for the above mentioned name. I have attended in both PA and Maryland and one needs to go to England for certification.

[Limerick]

[QUOTE=jaybird660;7993445]
I’ve attended several of the classes at the North American Saddlery School which is the one Annette runs with Ian and Andrew Hastilow. This is an SMS affiliated course and the NASS name is fairly new. They have different options and levels and you can learn the basics of saddle fitting to saddle construction. I highly recommend it and they have a website if you look for the above mentioned name. I have attended in both PA and Maryland and one needs to go to England for certification.[/QUOTE]
Thanks so much!!