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: € 1100,00 This is including using materials at location, lodging on side (group accommodation), coffee/tea/cookies and all meals (excl. drinks). Bring one or two saddles to work on. If not possible, we will provide one.
Extra costs to consider (not included):
The costs for the starters toolset is about € 500,00. Besides that you will need to bring some standard tools like hammer, scissor, plier etc.
Basic leatherwork and saddle repair course (5 days)
What will you learn during this course?
- health and safety, since you work with very sharp tools
- how to use, to sharpen and to maintain your tools
- stitching with two needles
- use of “stitching clams”
- cutting of leather pieces
- preparation of the leather for stitching
- recognise different quality of leather
- making a small leather item like a belt
Examples of repairs shown/practiced:
- changing a girth system in ‘point straps’ and correct V-girth system
- replace girth straps if they are torn
- repair a cut in a seat
- repairs of flaps and kneeblocks, repair of the forepiece
- fix D-rings to the saddle for saddle bags
- repair of broken flexible point or make flexible point when not there
More information on this course will follow soon.
