Learning About Saddle Repairs

[CuttingHorse]

I just looked up their saddlery course. Have you heard good things about their courses? I'm intrigued by the classes they offer, though it looks like I wouldn't be a certified Master Saddler/fitter/etc? Did I misread that? Where would a college course like that put me skill wise?

I can see the time factor being an issue, it looks to be a two year course to take, assuming there aren't other courses to take before.

[fivewayswelshcobs]

To be a Qualified Master Saddler you need at least 7 years in the trade, you need to take City and Guild exams at different levels to become a Qualified Saddler and then apply to become a Master Saddler after at least the 7 years it is not automatic. Anyone can become a Qualified Saddle Fitter after attending training although flocking training is also recommended and could be compulsory as could the Qualified Saddler qualification because of the problems of untrained people working on saddles causing problems to both horse and rider and damaging expensive saddles.

No college course or private course would automatically qualify you it gives you the basics.

I know very little of their courses but I do know people that started their training there before working at other saddlers for experience. The City And Guild exams  are standard where ever they are taken. You could consider an apprentice position but then these can be hard to find but may do the saddlery side and fitting that you want.

 

 

[fredk]

Really, thats all very interesting.

In no way am I questioning your information I'd just like to say I know [not personally, ie socially] of 3, perhaps 4, people who have set themselves up as saddlemakers through having done a few repairs on saddle and harness. From asking them I know they did not do any course at all on leatherwork never mind saddlery

[gmace99]

@CuttingHorse After making a saddle you should not be afraid of doing most repairs.  I would not recommend any saddle making course if you have not done any leather work at all. You need to have done thinks like make a bridle or a flocking course before you would be ready for it.  Most people I have taught have went onto doing the big repairs on saddles.

If you did my repair course you would not be able to do anywhere near the types of repairs you would do after a saddle making course.

As far as I am aware the SMS do not do saddle making or saddlery courses. They do show recommended training providers on their website. I am one of them. You would have to go to Mark Romains building if you wanted to sit an exam. However you can go to any provider including Mark to be trained.

My style of teaching is different from others . I am a factory saddler who made 5 or 6 saddles a week. Other saddlers are country saddlers who make one saddle a month. The only difference in the saddles are I know how to make it easier and faster for you.  This is how all your top companies make saddles.

Now I get to be big headed. Yes it is a nice saddle Cary puts out I showed him how to Make it.   He could not work out how to get his idea how to work.  That is why he called me to come up with the way to do it. I also designed his Flexi girth for him. It took six months to get it the way I wanted it.

My other hat is I fly across the world showing companies how to improve quality and production. (I am now retired from doing that I got to 55 and decided to relax.) 

@fivewayswelshcobs  Who are you I must know you and you me.

[gmace99]

@fredk  Anyone including my cleaner can say they are Master Saddlers Or saddle makers.  They Can not say they are Society of Master Saddlers Master saddlers.  To be a Society Master Saddler you need to be a working saddler for 7 years and win a premium award at the Saddler competition in London 

[fivewayswelshcobs]

Since George picked up he might know me (I met him a number of times a few years ago at SMS events) I will tell a bit more. I am a Qualified Master Saddler and Qualified Master Harnessmaker and a current member of the Society Of Master Saddlers (UK) but like everyone on this forum I am here to learn new and different skills as there a large number of highly skilled leather workers that are willing to share their experience and knowledge with everyone on the forum. I wanted to do saddlery for a good few years before I got the chance to learn it and my first belt was on a day course at Walsall Leather Museum with Val Micheal and I was hooked