This occupation is found in the fashion & textiles sector, an integral part of the equine industry and is fundamental in the saddlery trade. There are 27 million people in Britain with an interest in the equestrian industry.
Bespoke saddlers supply saddlery products for many professional equestrian sports such as horseracing, eventing, dressage and show jumping but also cater for the amateur rider.
Investing in a bespoke saddlery product could serve both horse and rider for many years if regularly maintained and cared for.
Most bespoke saddlers also offer a repair and restoration service as well as having an appreciation of the saddlery fitting process. The ability to assess the condition of leather is very important from a strength and durability perspective, if leather has been well cared for it is a very sustainable material that can last a very long time.
Finished saddlery products are key to equine welfare and must meet health and safety requirements as well as fitting both rider and horse comfortably.
Most employers are based in a rural setting and classified as micro-businesses.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to produce a range of hand-crafted saddlery products such as saddles, bridles or harnesses from leather to specific measurements for both horse and rider. Additional fittings and materials can be used also.
Preparatory duties include confirming customer order requirements to produce a bespoke specification to then produce a standard or bespoke product that is cut and made to a unique pattern or measurement for a horse. The skills involved in producing saddlery products cover a wide area of expertise that includes craft, technical, creative and design.
Bespoke saddlers implement a variety of hand craft practical skills in the manufacture of saddlery products including measuring, pattern construction, cutting, hand and machine stitching and finishing. Based in a workshop, bespoke saddlers may have to sit or stand for long periods of time at a bench whilst working.
A typical working week is around 37 hours a week, from Monday to Friday but could occasionally include work overtime, which could include weekends.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other work colleagues, customers and end-users. The level of interaction and responsibilities with external organisations would be dependent on whether the bespoke saddler is self-employed or an employee of a company.
In most cases, they will work independently and will be responsible for attaining orders and may also come into contact with external suppliers of leather, fittings, materials and other accessories.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out hand craft practical skills in order to produce saddlery products that fit precisely to a customer’s requirements. These skills are fundamental to the bespoke saddlery industry and ultimately have to be employed with great precision, to high standards of excellence and within realistic time constraints and are central to the efficiency and effectiveness of manufacture.
As an example, once the leather has been selected, little can be done to rectify mistakes and such errors will lead to problems at the assembly stage. Minimising loss of time and waste is key and contributes towards sustainability. All work must be completed in line with health, safety and environmental regulations and follow workplace safety rules in the workshop at all times.
A bespoke saddler may work alone self-employed or more occasionally work in a larger workshop where the different stages are shared between several saddlers.
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Duty 1 Record customer requirements and convert the information gathered to produce a working specification of cut and made-up measurements. Communicate with customer to agree the bespoke specification. |
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Duty 2 Assess and evaluate the bespoke specification for the bridle and saddle to be made. As examples, specifications, style, quality, size, colour and timeline. |
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Duty 3 Source leather, materials and ancillary fittings to confirm availability, provide a quotation and agree final costs with the customer. |
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Duty 4 Create the necessary patterns. |
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Duty 5 Throughout the production process, continually identify faults that may lead to saddle and bridle fitting problems and report findings and recommendations to improve them. |
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Duty 6 Select the appropriate tools and machinery to manufacture bespoke bridle and saddle production activity, to achieve quality within given timescales. |
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Duty 7 Select leather, materials and ancillary fittings for the Bespoke Bridle and Saddle specification and report any shortages or quality issues. |
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Duty 8 Prepare and test hand tools, sewing machine, bench splitter and other equipment to enable the formation of the required bespoke components. For example, different types of leathers, threads, fittings and other materials. |
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Duty 9 Produce and/or repair saddlery products that meet both specification and customer requirements. |
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Duty 10 Communicate and report issues internally throughout the production process which impact quality, quantity and meeting deadlines. |
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Duty 11 Inspect finished saddlery product against quality standards and bespoke specification. |
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Duty 12 Complete work documentation, communicating as needed with colleagues. For example, production sheets and job cards. |
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Duty 13 Investigate requests for repairs/restoration to used saddlery products to assess sustainability, viability and suggest remedies. For example, component wear, breakage, asymmetry, stretch, poor stitching, adjustments to improve fit. |
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Duty 14 Identify welfare and safety issues for both horse and rider. |
K1: How to interpret industry terminology.
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K2: The tools and machinery used in the manufacture of saddlery products.
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K3: How to decide if a repair/restoration is both sustainable and viable in terms of safety and cost.
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K4: How to organise purchasing of materials and stock control.
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K5: How to keep accurate records relating to the sale, manufacture and repair of saddlery products.
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K6: The importance of effective customer service. For example, liaising on product suitability to agree specifications for bespoke products.
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K7: A range of saddlery products their type and suitability of style to individual customers. For example, saddles, bridles and other ancillary products.
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K8: The importance of timely workflow to the business.
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K9: The manufacturing processes for bridles and other saddlery equipment.
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K10: The manufacturing processes for saddles.
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K11: The impact of their product and work on saddle and bridle fitting.
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K12: The characteristics and behaviours of a variety of different leathers, materials, threads and fittings for their suitable application.
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K13: The manufacturing processes of wooden saddle trees.
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K14: Alternative technical advances in materials and construction.
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K15: How to interpret conformation relating to the anatomy of the horse to produce a bespoke fit.
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K16: The impact of their product and work on the welfare of the horse and safety of the rider.
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K17: How to interpret measurements of the horse to create a cutting list for cut and made up measurement including all necessary patterns.
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K18: How to maintain and safely use tools, equipment and machinery.
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K19: Material requirements for manufacture and the order of cost effective assembly.
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K20: The balance between hand stitching to a high standard in an acceptable time and contributes to the sustainability of the business.
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K21: Processes to adjust machines to sew a variety of differing materials. For example, specialist needles, feet, guides and tension setting.
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K22: How to implement saddlery hand skills to produce a finish that meets a high quality standard.
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K23: The style and size of hole in relation to the fittings required for the saddlery product.
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S1: Assess given measurements from the horse to produce a cutting list showing both cut and made-up measurements, the amount of leather and fittings required.
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S2: Produce the patterns for the saddlery product(s) in readiness to cut material components.
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S3: Safely select, use, maintain and store equipment and materials; for example, correct storage of patterns, sharpening tools, purchasing materials and stock control.
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S4: Identify and minimise hazards and risks in the workplace to maintain work procedures ensuring health and safety requirements are met.
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S5: Maintain comprehensive records relating to the manufacture and repair of saddlery.
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S6: Discuss and advise on the type of leather for a specific use.
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S7: Carry out effective customer care.
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S8: Develop and maintain good communication skills with colleagues in order to ensure a productive work environment.
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S9: Prepare materials and fittings for the saddlery product.
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S10: Have overall responsibility for the finish and suitability of the completed saddlery product.
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S11: Follow clear instructions from relevant colleagues in order to meet customer requirements.
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S12: (When repairing a saddlery product), assess product and implement the appropriate sustainable method to remedy the problem.
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S13: Implement efficient and effective use of resources, time and materials.
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S14: Select, prepare and test tools and machinery, including adjustments for different leathers, materials and fittings.
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S15: Identify the correct materials, threads and fittings for the task and use in accordance with both customer requirements and company processes.
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S16: Recognise faults in leather, materials, threads and fittings.
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S17: During manufacture implement technical processes. For example, cut, edge, stain, crease, punch, prick mark and skive all components where necessary and applicable.
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S18: Assemble components in order of the manufacturing process in readiness for stitching.
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S19: When hand stitching saddlery products, double hand and single/back stitch where appropriate for appearance and durability.
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S20: Machine stitch a variety of different materials used in bridle and saddle manufacture.
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S21: (When bridle making), recrease and block all keepers as necessary.
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S22: Punch the correct size and style of hole for the fittings required for the saddlery product.
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S23: Clean and polish all edges.
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S24: (When saddle making), flock panels smoothly, evenly and to the correct specification.
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S25: Assemble completed saddlery product, maintaining the quality of hand craft skills and ensuring functionality.
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B1: Commitment to maintaining high standards of precision and excellence.
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B2: Awareness and understanding to the effect of poorly fitted saddlery items to the horse and the safety of the rider.
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B3: Focus on the requirements of the customer.
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B4: Strong work ethic and commitment in order to meet the standards required.
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B5: Recognition and appreciation of equality and diversity in the workplace.
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Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
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| 1.1 | Standard, funding band and end-point assessment plan revised | 22/07/2022 | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 27/06/2017 | 21/07/2022 |
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