Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

The CEE course is open to anyone with some form of equine experience, be it riding, teaching, vet tech, body worker, instructor, etc. Basic knowledge of the horse, tack and safe handling are required to get the most out of the course. It is recommended to read “Suffering in Silence” (English) or “The Silent Killer” (German) before starting the course.

Saddlefit 4 Life curriculums and course content have been taught at the German National Riding School and continue to be part of the FN training for professional trainers in Warendorf. As well, S4L has been taught at several universities, including the Animal Sciences Faculty of the University of Guelph and the Ontario Veterinary College, UC Davis California, and the Tierärztliche Klinik in Frankfurt Germany. 

At Guelph the curriculum is under consideration for inclusion as a course within the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management Degree program. It has been endorsed for University credits through the USDF and presented regular lectures at various Horse Shows around the world, including Equitana USA, Germany and Australia, as well as Equine Affaire, Western States Horse Expo, and the World Equestrian Games. The holistic comprehensive saddle fit education you will receive through S4L is at an elevated level to anything available anywhere.

The Certified Equine Ergonomist course is currently available as a fully online program. Participation in an In-Barn course is not required to complete the course or earn your certification.

Students have the option to attend an Intensive 2-Day In-Barn Course in addition to the CEE Online Program if they wish, however it is not required. 

We regularly add new dates for the In-Barn Courses, so check back often or Subscribe to our Email List to receive updates. 

The CEE externship is only required for those who wish to become certified and offer their service as a CEE or to proceed with the CSE Training. Those who only take the course but do not complete the externship and certification are not permitted to promote themselves as a Saddlefit 4 Life Certified Equine Ergonomist or provide saddle fit evaluations as a CEE.

For your CEE certification you can complete your externship using your own network of friends and family to practice with. For the CSE you can also choose to work at least part of the time using your own network. Saddlefit 4 Life does not want to associate itself with any specific product or brand, which is why Saddlefit 4 Life works with a long list of constantly changing and growing national and international saddle ergonomists and saddle companies and will ensure that the candidate is paired with an appropriate mentor. All of these mentors adhere to the necessary requirements for appropriate saddle fit to protect horse and rider from long term damage by integrating human and equine anatomy and biomechanics.

You must complete the online Certified Equine Ergonomist Course within six months. 

The CEE Externship must also be completed in 6 months. 

When you obtain your CEE certification you receive the following:
● Certification announcement on our website and social media
● Profile listing on our website
● Access to ongoing training and support
● Access to CEE only special events and courses
● Recognition as a certified Saddlefit 4 Life professional
● Ability to augment income streams by assessing saddle fit
● Opportunity to sell and assist client in the adjustment of virtual custom fit saddles (Saddlefit 4 Life does not manufacture or sell saddles)
● Work with other recognized equine professionals to increase network
● Eligibility to train as a Saddle Ergonomist

You may repeat any module online as often as it takes to get a passing grade. The hands-on portion for the CEE is marked by completing correct independent evaluations. If there are too many errors or discrepancies you will be asked to complete additional evaluations until the necessary level of success is reached. Additional training may be available upon request.  For the CSE the final exam must be repeated after additional evaluation practice within 3 months at the latest to not lose momentum. 

When you obtain your CSE certification you receive the following:

● Certification announcement on our website and social media
● Profile listing on our website
● Access to ongoing training and support
● Access to CSE only special events and courses
● Recognition as a certified Saddlefit 4 Life professional
● Ability to augment income streams by selling, assessing, and fitting saddles
● Work with other recognized equine professionals to increase network
● Eligibility to become a Saddlefit 4 Life Trainer/Educator

You want to maintain your level of education and credibility to the client. In today’s fast-paced changing world it is necessary to stay up-to-date with the latest developments – in almost every profession it is required to achieve ongoing development credits to ensure state-of-the art ability to benefit your clients.

Recertification is required every 24 months for the CEE, and every 36 months for the CSE. 

Only if you have completed and hold a valid certification (which means recertification within TWO years) and have written permission for approved use by S4L.

Saddlefit 4 Life curricula is evidence-based, research backed and built in collaboration with a global network of equine professionals including veterinarians, farriers, riders, researchers while also working in conjunction with human physicians and specialists. 

We also remain up to date on new research and tools that are utilized in the testing and diagnostics of saddle related injuries and lameness, providing quantitative data to support our methods and philosophies. 

Saddlefit 4 Life is often mimicked by other saddle fitting schools, however in order to get the most accurate and comprehensive saddle fitting education, our academy is second to none. 

SaddleFit4Life teaches evidence based saddle fitting techniques using modern technology and materials. Some of the older established organizations tend to rely more on traditional methods based on old-fashioned beliefs and opinions, often only tested on traditional saddle designs and materials. SaddleFit4Life surrounds itself with leading equine professionals with scientific equine and human qualifications, who are experts in anatomy, biomechanics and the physiology of horse and rider. SaddleFit4Life teaches various fitting styles, and uses the prevalent demographic of today’s equestrian industry by mandating gender appropriate saddles.The biggest difference between SaddleFit4Life and the other saddle fitting schools lies in the awareness of the different fitting techniques, saddle tree designs, panel material/stuffing/styles, many riding disciplines, and not only static but also dynamic fit under consideration of the holistic horse. With the affiliation of universities, veterinarians, bodyworkers, chiropractors, saddleries, farriers, nutrition experts, and trainers, SaddleFit4LIfe academy becomes the pinnacle of saddle fitting education worldwide. Why has no other saddle fitting school accepted the S4L saddle fitting challenge with independent assessments through gait analysis, heart monitor, computerised saddle pressure pad and thermography which demonstrate the validity of these facts?

Saddlefit 4 Life Academy provides education only and does not manufacture or sell saddles. 

We certify equine and saddle ergonomists, but do not employ saddle fitters. 

The training to become a Certified Saddle Ergonomist is not completed at the Saddlefit4Life Academy, rather under the mentorship of professionals at various saddleries which are Partners of Saddlefit4Life. These independent Saddleries manufacture saddles which can be fitted to the anatomy of horse and rider and follow the SaddleFit4Life philosophy. All saddleries want to sell their own saddles, so they will often do free product schooling with fitting tips on how to fit their saddles. Only S4L Partners are able to teach the entire course outline as shown on this website. S4L Partners have agreed to sponsor the training of the Saddle Ergonomist – anywhere from 80-100% of the course fees which can go up to $25,000.

It depends entirely on the student – available time, personal commitment and ability. It can take anywhere from 3 months to almost two years.

You can arrange to take the training at your home on-line with hands-on in a local barn, or choose to relocate temporarily to be close to your mentor saddlery. You will be trained on saddlery work and hands-on training by working on the road with your mentor. Block training sessions may be available. In certain circumstances, international mentors may be arranged.

Schleese saddles are a brand of manufactured saddles. Saddlefit 4 Life Academy has an educational purpose to teach as many people as possible all over the world about the proper way to analyse, assess, and adjust saddles to ensure the anatomy and biomechanics of both horse and rider are taken into consideration. The fact that the founder of both companies is Jochen Schleese is irrelevant – his name could just as well be John Smith as the founder of a saddlery company that has no obvious relation to the academy teaching about saddle fit. Jochen’s calling in life is to help as many horses and riders worldwide – something that could not be effected by only manufacturing infinitely adjustable saddles, which is why he established the academy to teach the philosophy of proper fit to others who could help in this goal by also becoming ambassadors for the horse.

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