Topic outline

  • Welcome!

    Welcome to



    THE SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS 

    QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTERS TRAINING COURSE

    Congratulations on your enrolment!

    The QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTERS TRAINING COURSE - OCT 2025 is a hybrid course delivered through a number of theory lectures, presentations and webinars and a compulsory practical module held in the UK.  It follows on from the INTRODUCTION TO SADDLE FITTING course and if you have attended this course, or have begun your learning elsewhere, you will already be on your way to becoming a professional saddle fitter.   

    To begin your course, please start by looking at the Course Information, Handbooks & Polices topic.  You might notice that access to the other topics is restricted.  This is to help guide you through the course and to ensure you view all of the essential learning material.

    Periodically we may add relevant quizzes and supplementary information to the course.  When we do, you will receive a push notification from the site.  Please make sure you add Moodle emails to your contacts.

    To get the most benefit from the course, please make sure to complete all the theory learning before attending the practical module.  Once you have completed both the theory and practical modules of the course, you will be eligble to sit the City and Guilds Assured Certificate in Saddle Fitting (Qualified by The Society of Master Saddlers) assessment.

    We hope you enjoy the journey to becoming a  

    SOCIETY OF MASTER SADDLERS 

    REGISTERED QUALIFIED SADDLE FITTER

  • Course Information, Handbooks & Policies


    Available from 1 November 2026

  • About You

    Highlighted

    Thank you for signing up to the next Qualified Saddle Fitters Training Course (QSF). 

    We hope you enjoy the theory component of this course and look forward to seeing you on the practical days! 

    Please take the time to supply us with your information as this helps us get to know you much better and enhances the practical days we spend with you as part of your training. 

    Look forward to seeing you soon! 

    Not available unless: The activity Meet the Team is marked complete

  • Veterinary Session 1 - Structure & Behaviour of the Horse

    Not available unless: The activity Your Information is marked complete

  • Veterinary Session 2 - Functioning, Normal & Abnormal

  • Veterinary Session 3 - Development, Learning & Ethical Co-Operation

  • Safe Handling of the Horse for Saddle Fitting

  • Conformation

    Not available unless: The activity Safe Handling for Saddle Fitting Webinar is marked complete

  • Rider Requirement

    Not available unless: The activity Conformation Webinar is marked complete

  • The Rider's Influence on the Horse

    Not available unless: The activity Rider Requirements Webinar is marked complete

  • The Saddle Tree

    Not available unless: The activity Rider Influence Webinar is marked complete

  • Saddle Design & Construction - Advances in Saddle Design & Construction

    Not available unless: The activity The Saddle Tree Webinar is marked complete

  • Customer Care & Service

    Not available unless: The activity Advances in Saddle Design & Construction is marked complete

  • The 15 Point Recommended Procedure for Saddle Fitting

    Not available unless: The activity Customer Care & Service Webinar is marked complete

  • Difficult Fits

    Not available unless: The activity 15 Point Procedure Webinar is marked complete

  • Pads, Numnahs, Saddle Clothes and Girths

    Not available unless: The activity Difficult Fits Webinar is marked complete

  • Fact or Fallacy - An Evidence-Based Approach to Product Evaluation

    Not available unless: The activity Pads, Numnahs, Saddle Clothes & Girths Webinar is marked complete

  • Kay Hastilow's Educational Videos

    These videos are supplementary to the essential knowledge you need for your assessment.

    They are exceptionally helpful and highly recommended viewing. 

  • Saddle Brands

    Please find below links to many major saddle brands. 

    Familiarise yourself with the saddles on their websites as they will be saddles you need to know about in your career. 

    Available from 29 October 2026, 11:00 PM

  • Saddle Materials

    Available from 29 October 2026, 11:00 PM

  • Practical Information

    • We are looking forward to hosting you for the practical element of the Qualified Saddle Fitting Training Course. 

      This will be held 29th June - 1st July 2027 at Moulton College, Northampton. The venue has various postcodes which you will find details of below. Please see the link to an interactive map – Anywhere with The Society of Master Saddlers logo is a point you may find of interest and Google maps can direct you to these locations. There is also a directions to Moulton College via public transport guide attached.  Accommodation is included in the course for the evenings 26th-28th October, If you would also like to book accommodation for the evening of 29th October pleae contact the Training Coordinator.

      Moulton Useful Location Map

      Checking In

      At check in you will need to collect your key from the Security office – This is open 24 hours a day. They will have a list of your name and a room key for you. 

      Any problems with your room needs to be reported immediately via the number in the envelope provided.

      Security office Gate 1: NN3 7SY

      There is a small car park prior to the barriers which you can park in. From this car park please walk up the footpath towards the main buildings. There is a windowed office about 200 yards up the path, the security team are within this office.

      Accommodation Area Gate 3: NN3 7SX

      The accommodation blocks are at Gate 3 – Upon entering gate 3 you will need to follow the driveway through the sports fields and around the one-way system, past the John Ashby Sports Centre and Abbington Park Vets – After the vets turn right and you will find a gated barrier.

      In your arrival pack from Security, you will have a key fob that opens the gated barrier. Please park in this car park overnight.

      The accommodation buildings are here, they are clearly marked with their names and room numbers – If you go to the end of the carpark, they are round the path to the left.

      Each room will have bed linen and a towel provided. There is a kitchen area with a fridge freezer, microwave, and kettle. Tea and coffee provisions will be provided within the kitchen area. **Please note there is no crockery, cutlery or cooking utensils supplied so you will need to bring your own if you plan to cook any of your own meals in the evening. You will have a cooked lunch provided**

      Equestrian Centre - Pitsford Gate 4 NN3 7QL

      The equine indoor arena will be where the teaching is held predominantly. This is accessed via Gate 4.

      When entering via Gate 4 there are two gatehouses either side, please follow the road to the crossroads and turn left here. Following this road down you will see signs for the Equine Therapy centre, please turn left here and follow the road round to the right where it bends.

      Make sure you follow the road around and park in the larger main car park for this campus.

      Please Do Not Park in the Therapy Centre car park otherwise you will be asked to move your vehicle, and this may interfere with your taught time as the lecturers will not have time to wait for your return.

      Dining at Moulton

      Breakfast and Lunch are provided as part of your course fees and board.

      Breakfast will be served between 7:30 and 8:30 in the Pitsford Coffee Shop within the site at Gate 4.  You will receive further details before you are due to attend the practical days of location etc.

      Lunch will be served according to the day’s timetable and will be in the Pitsford Coffee Shop. It will be an over-the-counter choice.

       Health & Safety

      Whilst it is not compulsory for you to wear a riding hat whilst at Moulton College, we highly recommend that whilst around the horses, a suitable riding hat is worn. You will need to provide your own.

      You will also find a health and safety declaration form which is within this Moodle course page. 

      You are required to wear yard standard boots and appropriate clothing/trousers (no shorts) during this course.

       Fire Alarms 

      Please note that there are no scheduled fire drills that Moulton has made the Society aware of at the point of writing this email.

      Therefore, should a fire alarm sound please gather at these designated fire points depending on your location:

      Pitsford (Equestrian Centre) – Pitsford Car Park

      Main Site Gate 1 – Main Site Car Park

      Holcot Gate 3 – Accommodation Car Park


    • Moulton Map URL

  • Supplementary Handbook

    Please see the course handbook for your attendance at the practical day which includes hand outs that are helpful during the course as well as the course timetable. 



    Available from 29 October 2026, 11:00 PM

  • Assessment Briefing

    Assessments are by Application Only: 

    An assessment day immediately follows the training course.  However, because we want you to feel confident and be successful when you sit the assessment, we do not automatically allocate you a place.  If you wish to be conisdered for the assessment day on the 30th October, please click HERE to email your request - Please include "QSF Training Course October 2025 Assessment" in your subject line.   You will need to prove that you are out fitting saddles, either seeing your own clients or shadowing a qualified fitter who can sign to say you have the required skills to take the assessment. 

    2026 assessment fees are £585 (inc VAT). 

    General Guidance: 

    Candidates will be assessed on the following procedures:

    • Written paper covering all units. Conformation & Action in Hand, Horse Description, Saddle Assessment and Fault Identification, Taking Templates and Measurements and Practical Saddle Fitting of two horses.

    These assessment tasks let you show your practical skills and are graded pass only. Your assessor will observe you carrying out the tasks and will check your finished work.

    Before you carry out the task you will be told how it will be assessed and you should read the assessment criteria checklist for each task so you know what you need to do to achieve a pass grade.

    You can ask your assessor for help in understanding the task instructions, but all of the work during the assessment must be your own.

    Your assessor may ask supplementary questions during the observation to fill gaps where your knowledge is not explicit. For saddle fitting assessments - Once you have closed your sale or after 60 minutes (plus 10%), whichever occurs first, your assessment will be deemed to be completed. Any questions asked after this point are to clarify and enhance the information you have provided but you will not be permitted to return to your fit and make any alterations. 

    Timetables

    Timetables for the day are carefully compiled based on a number of factors. These timetables are released 7 days prior to the assessment day. 

    When booking, please note that assessment days begin at 8am and end at 5.30pm. You should allot the entire day to be at the assessment venue.

    Results 

    Results will be released within 2 weeks of your assessment date. If you have not heard about your results after 2 weeks then please do email Training@mastersaddlers.co.uk as they may have gone to junk. You have the right to appeal any assessment result as per City &Guilds Guidelines.

    We will not discuss resits until the results are released. If in the event of requiring a resit – Your name will be kept on a database and The SMS will work out a best fit date and will be in touch to offer such a date.  Please note that assessment days are highly expensive to run in comparison to courses so we must be pragmatic about our approaches. 

    All at The Society of Master Saddlers hope you have success on your assessment day!

    Available from 29 October 2026, 11:00 PM

  • Practical Application Course

    Available from 30 June 2027