Studying the rules of the Russian language, you can find examples from dictionaries and textbooks that use rare words. For example, what is a saddler? The expression "blinkers in the eyes" means to think narrowly, not seeing prospects. “You are in the blocs of prejudice,” the heroine of the film “Pokrovsky Gates” printed her husband. Literal blinders close the horse's eyes so that she is not distracted by movement. There is even such a profession - saddler. Almost everyone has forgotten about it now, and once no owner of an equestrian exit could have done without such a master.
What dictionaries say
Explanatory dictionaries shed some light on this question. Ushakov and Efremova simply indicate that this is a manufacturer of saddlery. Kuznetsov's dictionary adds that he is doing a harness. Ozhegov leads a synonym - saddlery.
Dahl broadens the concept of “saddler” a little. The meaning of the word: "one who works horse harness." He cites as an example a proverb calling a saddler a colonel. Apparently, this was a very respected person at one time. What can be said about our days?
Are there any saddlers now
How is a harness made for a horse in the twenty-first century? Maybe there are some kind of industrial technology? No, it was and was a profession of artisans. In order to make a comfortable harness, measurements of a specific horse may be required. Then it will be easy to manage it.
Only after seeing a workshop full of all kinds of tools, many of which are associated with the application of physical effort, you can understand what a saddler is. Leather stretched on a wooden hoop, belts with a bit, blades, saddles, blanks and finished products, sewing machines of various kinds, machine tools ... Such workshops are in large sports clubs involved in equestrian sports.
It is hard to overestimate the importance of shore for sports: they are worn so that the animal does not get scared and does not suffer. If you forget to wear blinkers, trouble can happen. But the saddle is an equally important part of the harness. An improperly made saddle can cripple the animal and damage the back of the rider.
Where to learn to saddlery
In Moscow there is an Academy of Crafts, in which for several years there are courses of saddlers. The curriculum is approved by the Ministry of Labor and includes everything that may be required from the master. Learning begins with an introduction to the material. This is a skin of certain characteristics. Although it is produced under industrial conditions, a saddler must be able to prepare it, and for this he must understand the technology of dressing. Teach masters and self-processing skin using modern equipment.
The saddlery profession includes technologies that are transmitted from century to century. For example, the ability to roll a straw tourniquet, which will be used to make a collar, make a solution for washing the skin and separate the bones and bristles, make pack equipment and even shoe a horse. There are also modern disciplines: climbing equipment, manufacture of harnesses and belts, cavalry and sports saddles.
After completing the course, the master should be able to saddle the horse, tuck in cinchs, and repair all types of harness. All this is taught for two months twice a week.
A good harness is the key to victory in competitions
Good equipment for equestrian sports is fabulously expensive. French companies are known in the sports world. Not much behind in price, but not in quality, Italian. German craftsmen make solid, reliable harnesses. But how to check the quality of the product, if it is made by a domestic master?
An experienced rider will bend over the center several times to check if the leather belt is sewn inside or just plain cardboard. A poor-quality thing after twenty bends-extensions will become suspiciously easy to bend. So inside the cardboard. If you buy such ammunition, it will be enough on the strength of a month.
A reliable master is sought, his contacts are transferred as a treasure. Not only victory, but also the life of a rider depends on the work of a professional. That's what a saddler is for an athlete.
Conclusion
It is so good that in the age of nanotechnology such crafts as saddlery are still needed! Now they are engaged in people in love with the profession. Unfortunately, there are few of them, and even courses do not save the situation, because a real master is formed over the years. In addition to professional skills, such a person should love and understand horses, be aware of the specifics of their service to people and be aware of their responsibility for the quality of the harness. That's what a saddler is, or rather, who is he.