The initiator of this course is Dr. Gerry van Oossanen, a veterinary scientist specialized in back problems and neurology in horse and rider. Before Gerry moved to France in 2016, she led a rehabilitation center for horse & rider in The Netherlands and worked closely with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Utrecht. In her practice she saw horses with mild to very serious back problems caused by ill fitting saddles.
If you want to be able to do a good job as a saddle fitter, if you really want to make a change for a horse, it is necessary to be able to adjust, rebalance and reflock a saddle too. The MSFC offers the possibility to add the reflocking course (4 days) to your education.
Reflocking course for saddle fitters (4 days)
In this module you will be trained in the basic saddlery skills you need as a saddle fitter, which means you need to be able to reflock (also with double lining) and rebalance a saddle and that you are capable to replace a girth strap in the proper way. Highly recommended if you want to work as an independent saddle fitter.
What will you learn during this course?
- Remove the panel from the saddle
- Carrying out safety checks on the saddle
- Check the tree / check the rivets
- remove the flock and reflock the panel
- use of new flocking techniques and materials
- correct flocking of a saddle with and without lining
- lacing the panel back on
- adjust the flock when panel is back on
- prepare a new girth strap and stitch on a webbing
If you want to join, please ask for the special application form. Costs: € 1200,00 This is including using materials at location, lodging on side (group accommodation), coffee/tea/cookies and all meals (excl. drinks). Bring 2-3 saddles to work on. If not possible, we will provide them.
Extra costs to consider (not included):
The costs for the starters toolset is about € 550,00. Besides that you will need to bring some standard tools like hammer, scissor, plier etc.
