Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/218358
FEATURE Above: Making a piece of tack by hand requires an extensive (and expensive) set of instruments. But don't worry; the tools of the trade are all provided at Saddlery Training Scotland. strength is required," explains Karen. "And the belly edge for the backing leather. It's also important to use the glossy, face side of the leather when working. The flesh side of the leather, which is duller in vibrancy and texture, is what touches the horse's skin." Left, Right, Loop And Pull Karen cuts a strip of dark Havana leather for me to practice on. I start by using the No. 1 edge tool to round and soften the edge of this leather but find it difficult to keep the tool straight and forward in one 80 W INTER 2013 U N TAC K E D continuous motion. "Working with leather is all about feel," Karen says warmly while directing me toward a vat of water-based brown dye for the next stage of my lesson. Once the edges have been smoothed and sliced, a layer of raw leather, in its natural color and state, is exposed. Stain has to be applied to these raw edges to keep everything matching and polished. I use a small woolly mammoth, as they call it here, to apply the stain. Then I rub a tea towel over it to help remove any excess and buff up the appearance.