Nutwell Saddlery has three Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters. Here’s a bit more information on what’s involved.
The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) was originally set up by a group of retailing Master Saddlers, for Master Saddlers in the 1960s. It is a member organisation, a training provider as well as an end-point assessor. They now have nearly 600 members across 15 countries
The Society of Master Saddlers has established the most comprehensive training scheme world-wide that sets the standards for good fitting practise and excellent service for horse and rider. The course is also verified and monitored by an independent educational body – City & Guilds.
Before starting the course, you will have ideally completed The Society of Master Saddlers Introduction to Saddle Fitting Course, or equivalent, and have experience working around horses.
Once on the course, as a trainee you must complete at least two years of training that is both on-the-job, theory and attend practical days.
The course teaches saddle fitters how to evaluate condition and conformation, assess a horses’ back and prepare templates before a saddle fit. It also includes learning how to adjust and evaluate saddles to create the best possible fit, using the ‘SMS Gold Standard 15 point process’.
At the end of your training, you are required to pass an extensive practical examination, which is followed up by compulsory CPD (Continuing Professional Development) alongside mandatory refresher courses provided by the Society of Master Saddlers.
