Lately, I've been receiving a LOT of requests for more information on saddle fitting. People are interested in having me present fitting clinics and seminars, some are asking for a book, and some want dvds or on-line courses, webinars and podcasts. I'm absolutely thrilled that so many folks want to learn and are interested in what I have to say; getting to geek for hours on saddle fitting is about as good as it gets for me. So here's my question for you all: what works for you? Do you prefer "live" presentations, would you prefer a book and dvd series, or would something like webinars or podcasts work better for you? Do you want to learn about fitting for your own information, or would you eventually like to do this professionally? What do you hope to learn?
Obviously, whatever direction this goes, it'll take a while to develop ... but getting input from the interested parties will give me a good set of guideline to use, and will go a long way toward making sure it's something that people would want to buy. So please, let me hear it!
11 comments:
I would love to have you come down to DE for a seminar, but I really don't have a group to offer. I am sure the distance is way too far to justify.
Flying you out to AZ for a fitting seems a bit out of the question for one person too.
Use the posts on the blog as an outline for a book. Use the book as the 'script' for a DVD... It works for everyone.
I think a webinar would work well.
I really love the format of the blog - descriptions with photos (lots of photos!) A book would be great!
I would love to learn more about saddle fitting too, not just for me but to help out my horsey friends who know nothing or little about it. I would like to maybe eventually become a saddle fitter. I do prefer hands on demonstrations but I know its difficult and expensive for you to fly all over the country... What about offering workshops/lessons on how to fit saddles at your place? You could schedule a workshop over several days and people can sign up and fly in/drive in for an intensive learning experience. I can't afford to take long periods of time off work to be trained as a saddle fitter, but a few days here and there would work. At least it would give me more knowledge and some hands on experience.
Thanks for the input, all - it's greatly appreciated. And sumire7, if you'd like to start asap, Mike Scott's course might work for you: http://www.saddleguy.com/classes.php
One of my classes had a saddle fitter out to them as one of their practical days - and I loved it! Very interesting, and great to see in the flesh, a saddle being fitted.
However a DVD that you're able to watch over and again and refer back to is also awesome.
I just recently discovered how ill-fitting my saddle was. Luckily, I had a Society of Master Saddlers qualified fitter available to come and advise me. For me, the hands-on-the-horse discussion was most useful for understanding why my old saddle was not a good fit, and what to look for in a new saddle.
I'd probably prefer a DVD/webcast format, with a lay person there to ask the "stupid" question. Also, showing good/bad fit hands-on, such as: "if you slide your hand along here, you will/should feel ..."
Many of the examples from the blog should work (such as putting various trees on horse's backs with different shape).
Love the blog, by the way. I found it when I searched for pictures to explain to my friends all the new concepts I'd learned from the saddle fitter's visit.
Webcast seminars with video would be great. I think a book with lots of photos would very helpful, especially something that you could bring to the barn and hold next to your horse. Which shape is he? And then compare with your examples.
I would love to attend a live seminar. I work for a NARHA accredited stable and it is a struggle to fit our barn of hardworking fellas. NARHA holds conferences (national and regional) every year.
I eventually want to become a professional fitter. I need to wait until my daughter finishes college to "take the leap", though. In the meantime, I read everything you write, do wither tracings for my friends, and help anyone at the barn who asks me for advice with their saddle fit or selection of a new one. I would LOVE a book with lots of photos and details. The only thing I have right now is Mike Scott's booklet on saddlefitting (I keep it in my tack trunk).
Val, I worked in a NARHA-accredited program back in the early 80s, and attended one of their conferences. I'd be happy to present something on saddle fitting at a future conference if NARHA would be interested!
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