Courses

Welcome to the North American Saddlery School (NASS), where we offer comprehensive education in saddle and bridle making, saddle fitting, and bridle fitting for both beginners and experienced equestrian professionals seeking to refine or expand their skills.

Our courses are carefully structured to provide a complete and progressive learning experience, combining hands‑on practical training with essential theoretical knowledge. Whether students are pursuing craftsmanship, fitting, or a combination of both, each module builds on previously acquired skills to develop accuracy, confidence, and sound professional judgment.

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Integrated Training in Saddlery and Fitting

At NASS, we believe that effective saddle and bridle fitting begins with a deep understanding of how tack is constructed and how it functions on the horse in motion.

Courses incorporate:

• Saddle and bridle construction principles

• Saddle and bridle fitting theory and application

• Equine anatomy, conformation, and biomechanics

• Static and dynamic assessment of horse and rider

• Evaluation of balance, stability, and pressure distribution

• Identification of fit limitations and welfare concerns

• Ethical decision‑making, including when not to fit or adjust

This integrated approach ensures students gain the technical insight required to make informed, welfare‑focused fitting decisions rather than relying on brand‑specific systems or sales‑driven methods.

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Supported, Mentored Learning

Education at NASS is supported by individual instruction, structured mentorship, and project‑based assessment. Students submit practical work, case studies, and projects for detailed critique and guidance, allowing continual refinement of both craft and fitting skills.

Interactive learning is encouraged between in‑person sessions using platforms such as Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger, and email, helping students stay connected, ask questions, and develop understanding as their skills progress.

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Traditional Craftsmanship Meets Modern Practice

The skills taught at NASS combine traditional hand‑crafted techniques with modern tools, machinery, and contemporary materials. Students experience how the trade was historically taught while developing skills relevant to today’s professional market.

This balanced approach prepares graduates to:

• Understand saddlery and fitting from the inside out

• Apply time‑tested principles using modern methods

• Work ethically, independently, and competently within a competitive industry

At the North American Saddlery School, education is thorough, collaborative, and welfare‑driven—designed to develop knowledgeable craftspeople and fitters with the technical foundation and professional judgment required to support horses and riders responsibly.