The Saddlery Training Centre aims to provide affordable and accessible training specially designed for small saddlery businesses. Courses are available for saddlers, harness makers and apprentices who wish to gain industry recognised qualifications and extend their range of knowledge and skills.
The training courses are delivered over either five days (Monday 11:00 – Friday 13:00) or four days (09:00 – 17:00), with usually no more than five candidates per course.
Courses to prepare for the City & Guilds Diploma in Saddlery at Level 2 and 3 in either Bridle, Saddle or Harness Making are available. These qualifications are more commonly known as the City & Guilds National Saddlery Skill Assessment Scheme in Bridle, Saddle and Harness Making.
Our courses include…
Bridlework
General Bridlework
A four / five day course for saddlers and / or apprentices covering general bridlework.
This course is particularly relevant for candidates who wish to prepare for the City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 Bridle Assessment.
Advanced Bridlework
A four / five day course for saddlers covering advanced bridlework.
Delivered by Frances Roche, the course covers rolled, raised and high raised work. Fancy browbands, plaiting, braiding and a raft of other advanced techniques and competition winning tips.
Saddle Making
Normally run over two separate four / five day courses for saddlers and apprentices, covering the principles and practices of saddle making.
This course is particularly relevant for candidates who wish to prepare for the City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 Saddle Assessment.
At Level 2 a Pony Saddle is made using a rigid tree and for Level 3, a General-Purpose Saddle is made using a spring tree.
Side Saddle
Side Saddle Refurbishment
A four / five day course for experienced saddlers to learn how to repair / restore side saddles. Candidates will need to bring a suitable side saddle with them.
Projects can include making a new serge panel, renewing a doe skin seat, re-covering leaping heads as well as other types of repairs.
Courses are arranged specifically for each candidate and it may be necessary to attend more than one course to cover all aspects of refurbishment.
Side Saddle Manufacture
Normally run over four separate four / five day courses for experienced saddlers who have previously attended the refurbishment course, this course covers the manufacture of a traditionally made side saddle.
Starting with a new side saddle tree, the aim is to construct a traditional side saddle with stuffed bellies, set seat, pig and doe skin seat with serge panel.
Harness
Harness Making
A four / five day course for saddlers and apprentices in producing the more complex parts of private driving show harness.
This course is particularly relevant for candidates who wish to prepare for the City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 Harness Assessment.
It will be necessary to attend more than one course to achieve Level 3 Harness.
Gig Saddle
Normally run over two separate four / five day courses for saddlers and trainee harness makers in the making of a patent leather cob size gig saddle.
This course is particularly relevant for candidates who are working towards the City & Guilds Level 3 Harness Assessment.
Pairs Pad
A four / five day course for saddlers and trainee harness makers, in the making of a cob size pairs pad.
The Saddlery Training Centre 