Any saddle fitters on here?

[Fortanedancer]

How did you pursue your career? where did you start? I have always wanted to do this for a living and lockdown has really made me reconsider my life choices as it probably has for a lot of people.
if you don’t mind and have to time I would appreciate some insight. ??

 

[sbloom]

You can probably find a fair bit on my website and on other comments I've posted on here. Ultimately I'd always wanted to work with horses but ended up in a commercial career, thinking it would help me own rather than sweat lol, though it was never that simple! I was really miserable in my last occupation and was waiting, letting my brain process, for what I wanted to do. I literally woke up one morning and called the person who'd fitted my own non-standard saddle and asked if I could be a fitter. The rest probably is documents .

I have to say, you need to REALLY love what you do to cope with this job, it takes a few years to find your groove, to get your skills up, to gain enough experience, and for me that had to be away from the main bodies, and doing my own thing, able to make my own recommendations in terms of holistic work etc. I have made brilliant networks and love working in teams, but by God you need a thick skin.

Various bodyworkers, lecturers for CPD that I've dealt with recently have all said it's pretty much a thankless task, that we have pretty much the hardest job of the paraprofessionals, and that we get the first kicking when things have been though to "go wrong".

Definitely think carefully before taking the plunge!

 

[sbloom]

I didn't have time to edit this morning to add...

There are three main routes in - SMS where you can find all your need to know on their website https://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/downloads/pathqsf.pdf, the career path is clear as you generally have to work with a qualified fitter to do the qualification yourself. I will leave it to your judgement and reading as to how well the qualification works, but whatever anyone thinks it's the industry standard.

Master Saddle Fitting Consultant - the qualification is taken in France but is UK focused, more theoretical than SMS, could be argued not enough practical. No clear career path, generally taken by stand alone independent fitters, and many struggle to be able to carry the right stock and run profitable to begin with certainly.

Work in an alternative saddle area. Many I would NOT recommend, there are weekend courses to fit a popular brand of custom saddles, wholly inadequate. Ex riders who fit French saddles, one brand of which does offer fitters with a depth of experience and choice of fits in the saddles, but I have no personal experience of them, and again I leave it to you to read up about these brands and their fitters/sellers. You'll also find treeless, wide specialists, alternative panelled saddles, remedial saddle fitting systems....most people who fit them are already passionate about them and will train with the owner of the company. This is essentially the route I took, though the saddles I fit look broadly like most other traditional brands of English bench made saddles.

You will probably need to do everything in the company - driving, diary, stock management, customer service including dealing with legal cases (and we all come into the business thinking there's no way we'd be such a rubbish fitter as to have cases against us....), physical skills for saddle fitting, huge, broad knowledge of horses and riders and their needs, dealing with West Midlands craftsmen in many cases who make great saddles but do not operate as many other business do, and nor do their suppliers. For instance at the moment the tree makers have tied up all their own production and left many other brands without trees to be able to make saddles. It wouldn't happen in any other industry. Everything happens away from integrated systems in most cases, you have to multitask and have your own systems to keep on top of EVERYTHING. If your "executive function" (particular brain functions) are not up to par it can be incredibly challenging.

Yes, I guess I am trying to put you off, just a little....it's a hard job, it is rewarding, but it can take a long time to develop your own way of doing things, work out your own boundaries, and decide where you sit within the industry. Further you need to develop how you want to work (for me, very holistically, directing people to all sort of things such as integrative bodyworkers, unusual vets, in hand work, barefoot, track systems etc, but some don't want to hear) and then learn to deal with the naysayers that say customers shouldn't use you, that you're doing it wrong, that there's no place for you - I currently have several SMS fitters, senior ones, trainers, who send customers to me, but others, qualified and nonqualified, will trash my fits saying I have it fundamentally wrong, because their view of how to fit a saddle is different to mine. Ultimately unless you're an SMS fitter, you will face a certain amount of all of this.

 

[cremedemonthe]

Everything sbloom has said, we get the blame for everything and anything!
I'm old school, learnt to be a Saddler in 1987 at Cordwainers college, we learnt, saddle making, bridle making, harness making, lorinery, material sciences, textiles and within the training was also saddle fitting and flocking. After I left college and armed with various knowledge but not exactly skilled I learnt over many years and refined my skills on everything from rug repairs, saddle repair, bridle making to saddle fitting and flocking but it's like sbloom said you can't please all the people all the time. Someone will always shout you down as your ideas don't fit in with theirs and then there are people who simply won't want to hear what you have to say so you are wrong, of course, as well as "many" facebook experts and a ladies, aunties cat who said that isn't how you fit a saddle, they are all right and we, are wrong don't you know.
Farriers telling people their saddle doesn't fit and vets inspecting or did do , riding school saddles for the yearly inspection WHY not a saddler or saddle fitter?
Saddles were checked at the schools but what about the bridles, they need fitting too.
You don't go to the opticians to get your car fixed after all.

We don't get a lot of recognition amongst the trades a lot of the time, farriers and vets do as well as trainers and physios but saddlers and saddle fitters often are treated and feel like a third class citizen.
Oz

 

[sbloom]

I've had a vet put a saddle on 4" too far forwards to demonstrate what a terrible job I'd done at fitting it. I tried to let my jaw hit the floor silently.

 

[Fortanedancer]

Thank you everyone for your input. It sounds like an amazing career but a very difficult one. Sorry for the delay I’ve had some horrible family circumstances <3

 

[Baywonder]

As @cremedemonthe and @sbloom have both said, it is very hard work, and you can't please everyone all the time.

On one occasion, my DH fitted a new saddle. The horse went like a dream, the owner was ecstatic, gushing about how wonderful the saddle was, the horse had never felt so free in his movement, etc, etc.

Two weeks later, he gets a phone call saying the saddle was completely wrong and didn't fit at all. He duly went back to check it, only to be told their 'instructor' had said it wasn't right for the horse. My DH had a feeling there was something not right about the situation, so he gave her a full refund and took the saddle back.

Lo and behold, a week later, the owner has another new saddle for their horse - supplied by their 'instructor'

There will always be an awkward customer out there!

 

[Fortanedancer]

As @cremedemonthe and @sbloom have both said, it is very hard work, and you can't please everyone all the time.

On one occasion, my DH fitted a new saddle. The horse went like a dream, the owner was ecstatic, gushing about how wonderful the saddle was, the horse had never felt so free in his movement, etc, etc.

Two weeks later, he gets a phone call saying the saddle was completely wrong and didn't fit at all. He duly went back to check it, only to be told their 'instructor' had said it wasn't right for the horse. My DH had a feeling there was something not right about the situation, so he gave her a full refund and took the saddle back.

Lo and behold, a week later, the owner has another new saddle for their horse - supplied by their 'instructor'

There will always be an awkward customer out there!

Oh gosh, to be honest I don’t think I’d be cut out for a career in the horse world after this, Really does sound like a lot of stress xx

 

[Baywonder]

@Fortanedancer it is not like that all the time - but you need to be aware it can and does happen. Every job has it's pros and cons - and saddle fitting is no different.

IMHO, no matter what career you decide to follow, there will invariably be someone who knows better than you...?

 

[Fortanedancer]

@Fortanedancer it is not like that all the time - but you need to be aware it can and does happen. Every job has it's pros and cons - and saddle fitting is no different.

IMHO, no matter what career you decide to follow, there will invariably be someone who knows better than you...?

you are right, there’s good and bad with all jobs. I keep my horses at home and I think the comments on here have just reminded me what yard politics can be like. I’ve even had a rude inbox message about this post. It’s not all yards or all horsy people but actually been in a job where you visit many, I can see the stress in that.

 

[Baywonder]

Oh yes, yard politics. Now that deserves it's own thread doesn't it?!

I am sorry you have had unwelcome messages. Whatever was said, please don't take it to heart. If saddle fitting is something you really want to do then look into it further.

Whatever you decide with regards to your career, I wish you the very best of luck.

 

[sbloom]

Oh gosh, to be honest I don’t think I’d be cut out for a career in the horse world after this, Really does sound like a lot of stress xx

I have a million stories like that, they'd make your hair curl.

I believe the message may have been a little curt but it was simply someone a little offended that we'd written out really long replies and not had any feedback or thanks. I'm sorry for your circumstances but I was a little miffed for sure.

 

[Fortanedancer]

I have a million stories like that, they'd make your hair curl.

I believe the message may have been a little curt but it was simply someone a little offended that we'd written out really long replies and not had any feedback or thanks. I'm sorry for your circumstances but I was a little miffed for sure.

I’m sorry you were miffed. I appreciate your feedback and I came back and liked comments which given the circumstances actually now looking back I don’t even know why I selfishly came online but I didn’t purposely give my father sepsis or starve my toddler of oxygen just to save giving you a reply ??

 

[Fortanedancer]

Oh yes, yard politics. Now that deserves it's own thread doesn't it?!

I am sorry you have had unwelcome messages. Whatever was said, please don't take it to heart. If saddle fitting is something you really want to do then look into it further.

Whatever you decide with regards to your career, I wish you the very best of luck.

Thank you xx

 

[Apizz2019]

I’m sorry you were miffed. I appreciate your feedback and I came back and liked comments which given the circumstances actually now looking back I don’t even know why I selfishly came online but I didn’t purposely give my father sepsis or starve my toddler of oxygen just to save giving you a reply ??

I can't give you saddle fitting advice but couldn't scroll past without commenting.

I just wanted to send you strength, love and hugs. I hope your dad and little one get well soon xx

 

[Fortanedancer]

I can't give you saddle fitting advice but couldn't scroll past without commenting.

I just wanted to send you strength, love and hugs. I hope your dad and little one get well soon xx

thats so lovely thank you. It’s been a living nightmare but all seems well. My dads home now and improving day by day. Only time will tell to see if the baby has any lasting damage. He didn’t breath for 3-5 minutes. The ambulance was here within minutes. He chocked on an apple, I’ve never been so frightened. It was horrific. He seems his usual self though ? Xx

 

[Apizz2019]

thats so lovely thank you. It’s been a living nightmare but all seems well. My dads home now and improving day by day. Only time will tell to see if the baby has any lasting damage. He didn’t breath for 3-5 minutes. The ambulance was here within minutes. He chocked on an apple, I’ve never been so frightened. It was horrific. He seems his usual self though ? Xx

I'm so glad to hear this - my heart broke for you reading your last post here.

Kids are tough little cookies and you're doing a wonderful job, supermum. I'm sure he'll be just fine, they do like to scare us silly!

Be kind to yourself and if you need anything, I'm only a pm away xxx

 

[Fortanedancer]

I'm so glad to hear this - my heart broke for you reading your last post here.

Kids are tough little cookies and you're doing a wonderful job, supermum. I'm sure he'll be just fine, they do like to scare us silly!

Be kind to yourself and if you need anything, I'm only a pm away xxx

that’s so lovely thank you so much for such a lovely message. It’s been awful and It’s given me real horrible anxiety, I literally watch him with every meal like I’m watching him walk on hot coals. I’m hoping it’ll pass soon, I’m sure it’s a normal reaction given the circumstances.