Posted: 18th September 2018 | Back to news feed

THE Society of Master Saddlers’ is pleased to support the running of the SMS/BETA Introductory Saddle Fitting Course which is heading down under and will be held in New Zealand for the first time ever later this year.

This major new initiative, organised and headlined by the British Equestrian Trade Association will see the course being held in Auckland and will look at the basic principles of the SMS recommended saddle fitting system.

The course takes place on November 24 and 25, and will include two full days of theory and practical lectures.

Lecturers include long time SMS committee member Denise Silman and husband Ian, current BETA Vice President, who run Bristol-based Equicraft Saddlery, and will be bringing their many years of knowledge to the course as a Qualified Saddle Fitter and Master Saddler.

Said Denise: “We are delighted to be travelling out to New Zealand to support the first ever course down under and are very much looking forward to finding out more about saddlery thinking, research and development overseas.

“New Zealand is well known for the wonderful Thoroughbreds they breed and produce and it will be interesting to look at which saddles, styles and brands are the most popular and why.”

The course is open to everyone who has an interest in saddle fitting or want to increase their knowledge to assist in an equine related profession.

Subjects covered include tree design and types of leather, identifying faults in saddles, physiology of the horse’s back, horse identification and maintaining records, safe handling of the horse, anatomy of the horse, the horse in movement and principles of saddle fitting.

Other areas include presenting and running up the horse – movement and conformation, horse description and completing the record form, practical back assessment, template taking and practical saddle fitting of a variety of horses.

For further information or to book a place on the course telephone BETA on +44 (0) 1937 587 062 or email philippa@beta-uk.org

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