GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ABOUT THE HORSE, INC. SADDLE FITTING CLINICS


Thank you for asking about hosting a Saddle Fitting Clinic with About the Horse, Inc. We have prepared this sheet to address the most commonly asked questions concerning hosting a clinic for David.

Once you read over this sheet, carefully consider your facility (or the one you plan to use), your time commitment, possible liability issues (insurance needs), and your ability to promote and advertise the event. While we will gladly support you with information about David, the saddles, as well as a list of inquiries we have had from your area, it is the host’s responsibility to organize and facilitate the clinic.

If you have any questions or decide you would like to check on available dates, please contact David Genadek at (507) 459-8670 We make our best efforts to answer all correspondance within 48 hours.

Clinic Format


About the Horse Saddle Fitting Clinics are a combination of lecture, question and answer, and hands-on activities.

The Clinic begins with a lecture outlining the basic concepts of saddle fit. This lecture can be scheduled for the evening prior to the saddle fits or done the morning of the clinic itself. It is important that anyone getting a saddle fit attends this portion of the clinic and, of course, we strongly encourage auditors to attend. Not only are the basic concepts fully explained, this is also the time that participants can ask questions and/or get clarifications about things they may have seen on the video, “About Saddle Fit”. This is also a good time for David to familiarize himself with the participants and adjust the schedule of fittings to best assist the participant and the host.

The saddle fittings themselves generally take approximately 20 to 30 minutes but, as always, this depends upon the needs of the horse. During this time, David will fit up to two (2) saddles and discuss the particular needs of the horse being fitted. Under David’s guidance, the horse owner will do the actual fitting. We have found that this “hands-on” activity enhances the owner’s understanding and provides yet another opportunity for clarification. This is also the time for auditors to become involved, as they are encouraged to participate in this process as well (Yes, they can come stick their hand under a saddle to feel “bridging” or shoulder pinching, etc.). We expect the fittings to be a very interactive process.

PLANNING NEEDS



For the Lecture
A comfortable area for people to gather, with a place to sit
Several horses with different conformations
A drawing board of some sort
A large table for educational displays
A sturdy saw horse or saddle stand.
Microphone (dependent on size of group)
Water

For the Fittings

An area that is easily accessible to horses and owners who may be carrying saddles
Cordless microphone when necessary

Facility Requirements

Easy access for horse trailers
Adequate and “horse-safe” work area (a round pen is great)
Clean restrooms available
Emergency numbers (vet, hospital, etc) on hand and access to call if needed
Clear directions to the facility and signs to help direct people
Water

Host Responsibilities

1. Promote event and locate participants and auditors
2. Arrange for and furnish the facility (covered area not necessary but the possibility of inclement weather should be a consideration). Again, having one or two large tables, a sturdy saw horse or saddle stand (one that can hold the weight of an average person) and a drawing board for large paper or a large eraseable marker board for the lecture will also be appreciated.
3. Schedule the fittings and POST in a location easily viewed by all. Fittings should be scheduled in 30-minute intervals. Notify participants that they should be ready 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time. David generally does up to 20 fittings per day.
4. The collection of fitting fees and auditor fees. The recommended fee for a fitting is between $35-$50.00 and between $15-$25 for auditing. The amount charged is at the discretion of the host, as costs will vary. Hosts should set the fees and have the appropriate number of participants/fittings so that they will, at a minimum, recoup all of the expenses for organizing the Clinic.
5. Payment of all travel fees, 1/2 of the daily clinic fees and 1/2 of the shipping fees are due 21 days prior to scheduled clinic date. The balance is due before David leaves the clinic location.
6. The host is responsible for making sure that all clinic materials will be accepted and safe for UPS delivery and the host is responsible for being available for UPS return tag pick up.

Finding Participants and Auditors

We find advertising campaigns are less effective than using a grass roots approach. As a rule, our sponsors are well connected in their local horse communities. A few well-placed phone calls to start a “buzz” will generally yield the participants you need. Getting the word out on the Internet is another low-cost method (listing on Event Calendars, posting to discussion groups and message boards, etc.). Posting flyers at the Co-op, local feed stores, and tack shops is a good idea. Make it simple and to the point. Add a picture if possible. See a sample flier HERE. Feel free to 'view source', copy and use it. Just replace dates, contact and fees with your own information! We can also make you a flier and send a few for you to copy via snail mail if you prefer. Contacting 4-H groups, riding clubs, your local veterinarian, farrier, and the like are also effective ways to get the word out. Again, we will gladly furnish a biography of David and labels of our customers in your area.

About the Horse, Inc. Clinic Fees

Our objective in doing Clinics is two-fold: the primary objective is to help educate people about saddle fit; and, we do, of course, expect to sell saddles from the clinic but sales activitie should take place after the clinic to maintain educational integrity.

Since our primary objective is to educate, we have tried to create a price schedule that will allow us to, at the minimum, break even. We greatly appreciate the efforts of our Hosts and are committed to keeping expenses as low as possible.

Fees

David’s fee is $700 per day, plus expenses. Expenses can include: airline tickets, rental cars, shipping of saddles/supplies, and hotel rooms.

Calculating Travel Fees

If flying, the actual cost of the airline ticket.
If renting a car, the actual cost of the rental fee.
Hotel/motel accomodations if the host or a clinic participant cannot put us up should be arranged and payed for in advance.
If we are driving, the rate is $.58 per mile there and back.
There is a minimum fee of $100 for travel, regardless of distance.
Shipping costs of our clinic supplies varies depending on distance to and from Minnesota. We can give you an estimate.

Payment of Fees***

All travel fees, 1/2 of the daily fees and 1/2 of the shipping fees are due twenty one (21) days prior to the date of the clinic (After booking, air travel fees cannot be refunded).
The balance of the daily rate, along with any expenses incurred beyond the cost of airline travel, ground travel etc... is to be paid immediately after the completion of the clinic.
***Cancellations/Refunds: Once airline tickets and or rental cars have been purchased, we will be unable to refund any travel money.

Once again, we greatly appreciate your support and hope to be seeing you soon!
David Genadek

President About the Horse, Inc.

About The Horse Inc
14377 Poppy Drive
Spring Valley , MN 55975
(507) 459-8670 call or text

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