International Academy of Saddle Fitters

[sassandbells]

Does anyone know anything about this?

I know about SMS registered saddle fitters, all of the ones I have used have been registered with this, however a friend is loaning a horse who’s owner is a saddle fitter through the International Academy of Saddle Fitters, and I’ve never heard of it before..

 

[Sossigpoker]

The SMS is just a method of getting training, not the only one.
I've never heard of the one you mention but I wouldn't consider it a red flag
My excellent fitter isn't SMS trained either , she learned through a different route.

 

[sassandbells]

The SMS is just a method of getting training, not the only one.
I've never heard of the one you mention but I wouldn't consider it a red flag
My excellent fitter isn't SMS trained either , she learned through a different route.

Thank you, fully aware it’s not the only method. Lady I know who’s qualified through them has suggested some questionable things to a friend so was checking her background and had just never heard of it before. Searches didn’t bring much up either

 

[Sossigpoker]

Thank you, fully aware it’s not the only method. Lady I know who’s qualified through them has suggested some questionable things to a friend so was checking her background and had just never heard of it before. Searches didn’t bring much up either

Similarly , I've used two SMS "qualified " fitters who were absolutely terrible !
If that person is saying odd things , I wouldn't necessarily put it down to the training they've had.

 

[sassandbells]

Similarly , I've used two SMS "qualified " fitters who were absolutely terrible !
If that person is saying odd things , I wouldn't necessarily put it down to the training they've had.

I was more interested in the qualification than anything no one I’ve spoken to seems to have heard of it!

There are indeed some very questionable SMS qualified fitters!

 

[Sossigpoker]

I was more interested in the qualification than anything no one I’ve spoken to seems to have heard of it!

There are indeed some very questionable SMS qualified fitters!

I've not heard of it but their website has plenty of info.

https://www.saddle-academy.com/

 

[Quadro]

Personally I wouldn't use a "saddle fitter" only a master saddler, but I do appriciate that they are hard to come by.
The majority of ones employed by brands do very little training at all.

 

[sbloom]

Personally I wouldn't use a "saddle fitter" only a master saddler, but I do appriciate that they are hard to come by.
The majority of ones employed by brands do very little training at all.

It's not as simple as that, and a master saddler may not be qualified to fit a saddle, full stop.

I STILL work with the owner/designer on the brand I've fitted for 14 years, and was a dedicated agent for them for 12. Training was not a fixed length course, and I continued to be mentored well after I was out there fitting. Customers need to ask questions and look up reviews. There are companies that offer minimal.or no training, one fairly big UK name, and many many French ones.