An equine training device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a safety device for equine training. In particular, the invention relates to a safety device for training horses to develop a horse from a breaker horse to a trained horse. Background to the Invention

Horses are by nature and nurture wild animals until they are tamed by humans for work in an equestrian discipline. Every horse in any form of ridden discipline throughout the world has at one point been a breaker, that is, an untrained horse which has never been ridden before and must be trained to allow a person to ride the horse. Therefore, someone somewhere must place himself/ herself in the unknown by being the first person to sit on the back of that horse. This puts the person in a position of not knowing how positively or negatively the horse will react to this new experience of the rider. When breaking any new horse the first experience of the horse while breaking depends on the ability of its handler which in turn will have consequences on how the horse will react towards human interaction in the future.

The problem is that all or most untrained horses going through the development process of breaking will jump, buck, rear, and plunge to try and get rid of its rider until it realises that this new object on its back is not going to harm it. One solution proposed is described in the document US 6,634,160. In brief, document describes a weighted training device comprising a strap configured to accommodate a series of weights, in combination with a bridle which fastens around the horse's girth and simulates the weight of a rider. A similar solution is proposed in US 7,721,514 where a plurality of weights is hung from a saddle tree to be positioned upon a back of a horse. However, these devices do not prepare the horse for the physical presence of a rider sitting on the saddle. As such, when a rider sits on horse having been trained with one or other of the above-mentioned devices, there is still the likelihood that the horse could buck, rear, and/or plunge, thereby throwing the rider and possibly causing injury. Other patent publications include US2010/083911 ; US6 , 352 , 053 ; and DE255640, however these publications suffer from the problem that they do not simulate the motion of a rider when a horse is in motion. It is the object of the present invention to address some or all of the above-referenced problems.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, an equine training device comprising a base adapted to mount on a saddle, a body mounted on and secured to the base, and a means to control movement of the body, wherein the movement of the body may be adjustable to simulate the movement of a rider sitting in a saddle affixed upon a back of a horse.

The invention is based on a designed substitute of a human especially made and adapted for all types of horses in all equestrian disciplines. The device is adapted to any type of saddle which to the horse resembles a human sitting on its back. The device can be used on all horses from breakers to horses that have been on a break for a number of months. The device eliminates the danger aspect of this area of work, thus potentially neutralising any serious injuries caused to a rider when a nervous horse forcibly ejects a rider from the saddle.

The advantage of the present invention is that the device can be placed on a saddle and secured safely thereon. When the saddle having the device secured thereon is secured to a horse, the horse is observed by a handler at a safe distance away. The handler observes the reaction of the horse to the placement of the saddle having the device secured thereon on the back of the horse. The horse may rear, buck, plunge and attempt to throw the saddle until it becomes accustomed to the saddle plus device on its back. The device replaces a rider when breaking in a horse and so provides (1) safety for the rider and (2) safety of the horse. When training a horse by the common methods of lunging and long reining, the handler can observe the horse's reaction and movement when the device is affixed to the saddle mimicking a rider on its back. When a new horse enters a yard its new owner's first instinct is to saddle the horse up and ride it, not knowing how the horse will react to its new surroundings or whether the horse is a safe ride. By using the device of the present invention, it can be established how safe the new horse is for riding. A pony must also be guaranteed safe before a child can be let ride it. Therefore, the use of the device of the present invention in place of a human rider will dramatically reduce any injuries that could be caused by letting a child ride a new pony which could rear, buck and/or plunge with the child on sitting on its back.

In the specification, the term "equine" should be taken to mean a mammal belonging to the family Equidae, which includes, but is not limited to, horses, ponies, donkeys, and asses. By way of example only, a horse shall be referred to in the specification to represent the family Equidae.

In one embodiment, the body may be mounted on the base by a connecting means affixed to the base. The connecting means may be a coiled spring, an elongated coiled spring, or a male member and female member arrangement.

In one embodiment, the coiled spring may matingly engage with the body through an aperture in the base of the body.

In one embodiment, the connecting means may comprise a male member and female member arrangement. The male member may be attached to the body and a surface of the male member may comprise velcro material.

In one embodiment, the base may comprise a female member in the form of a channel and adapted with Velcro material.

In one embodiment, the connecting means may comprise a male member and female member arrangement. The male member may be attached to the base and a surface of the male member may comprise velcro material.

In one embodiment, the body may be secured to the base by a securing means selected from the group consisting of at least one strap, a separable fastener arrangement, and a tie, or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the means control the movement of the body may comprise an adjustabl fastening means substantially surrounding the body. The adjustable fastening means may be a harness comprising at least one buckle and strap.

In one embodiment, the adjustable fastening means may comprise Velcro straps for cooperating with shoulder portions of the body .

This adjustable harness effectively controls how much movement the device will make when secured to a saddle on a back of a horse. By tightening the harness around the body, pressure is applied to the coiled spring, thereby making the body more rigid and more static on the saddle. The reverse is held whereby loosening the harness will release pressure on the coiled spring, thereby making the device more elastic or flexible on the saddle. The movement of the device, when secured to a saddle on a horse in motion, caused by controlling the flexibility of the coiled spring by the adjustable harness or the male/female member attachments, resembles the movement of a rider on the horse's back.

In one embodiment, the base may further comprise a plurality of straps extending outwardly from the base which loop around the underside of the horse to secure the base to the saddle. In one embodiment, the device may further comprise at least one guide ring suitable to accommodate at least one longing rein. The at least one guide ring may be attached to one side of the base . In one embodiment, the body may be configured in outline to be in the shape of a human torso having a head and a pair of shoulders. The body may be configured to be assembled in parts. In one embodiment, the device may further comprise at least one weighted pouch adapted to be affixed to the base of the device to simulate the weight of a rider. The weighted pouch may provide a smooth contoured force against the horse's body simulating the way a rider's boot would actually feel on a horse's body.

In one embodiment, the body may comprise an interior of any suitable pliable material surrounded by an outer casing. The pliable material may be selected from the group comprising foam, wax, rubber, clay, clay-wax, and the like. The outer casing may be any suitable material commonly used in the manufacture of equine equipment. The preferred interior material may be foam and the outer casing leather or a leather-type material. The advantage of an interior of pliable material is that it minimises any danger to the horse and any potential injury which may be caused to the horse should the horse fall back upon itself and onto the device.

In another embodiment, there is provided an equine training kit comprising the device as described herein.

In a further embodiment, there is provided an equine training kit which may comprise a base and a body as described herein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the present invention Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the device of the present invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a back view of the device of the present invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a plan view of the device of the present invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a side view of the device of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates an exploded view of the device of

Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the device of the present invention with alternative securing means;

Figure 8 illustrates a weighted pouch of the present invention; and

Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of the device of the present invention mounted on a saddle and weighted pouches as illustrated in Figure 8 attached to the base of the device.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to the figures, and initially to Figure 1, where Figure 1 illustrates a general embodiment of an equine training device of the present invention. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an equine training device of the present invention, which is generally referred to by reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a base 2, a body 4 mounted on and secured to the base 2, and a means 6 for controlling movement of the body 4. The base 2 comprises sides 3, 5, a front portion 7, and a rear portion 9. The front portion 7 is optionally concave in shape having an indentation 11 and protruding struts 13, 15. The indentation 11 is configured to rest against a saddle's pommel which is a raised area situated at the front of the saddle.

The body 4 generally has the outline of an average human torso, comprising a head 8, a torso 10, and shoulders 12, 14. The torso 10 comprises a front face 16, a back face 18, and sides 20, 22. The means 6 is an adjustable fastening means, which in this example is an adjustable harness which substantially surrounds the torso 10. The means 6, or adjustable harness, comprises vertical straps 24, 26 and horizontal straps 17, 19. The vertical straps 24, 26 are secured to horizontal strap 19 at points 21, 23 on the front face 16 (as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 9) . The vertical straps 24, 26 wrap over and across the shoulders 14, 12 and cross over each other on the back face 18. The straps 24, 26 are secured to each other at point 29 forming a criss-cross pattern, and are secured to the vertical strap 19 on the back face 18 at points 25, 27 as shown in Figure 3. The horizontal strap 17 is secured to vertical straps 24, 26 at points 31, 33 on the front face 16 of the torso 10. The horizontal strap 19 further comprises a buckle 28 which is used to adjust the pressure exerted by the harness 6 on the torso 10.

There is also provided a strap 42 and buckle 44 threaded between the vertical strap 19 and the side 20 of the body 4. The strap 42 is further threaded through a guide ring 38, which is matingly engaged with the side 3, and secured in the buckle 44. Similarly, there is provided a strap and buckle secured to a guide ring 40 matingly engaged with the side 5, and the strap and buckle are also threaded between vertical strap 19 and the side 22 of the body 4. Securing rings 60, 61 and securing rings 62, 63 are affixed to an upper surface 70 of the base 2 (as shown in Figures 1 and 6) . In use, the body 4 is secured to the base 2 between securing rings 60,61,62,63 by running or threading a strap 50 through securing ring 60 and a buckle 52 and fastening the strap 52 therein. The strap 52 is threaded between the vertical strap 19 and the front face 16 of the torso 10. A similar arrangement is illustrated where a strap 54 is threaded through securing ring 61 and a buckle 56 and fastening the strap 54 therein. A strap and buckle arrangement on the back face 18 is secured through each of securing rings 62, 63 in a similar fashion. In addition, or optionally, velcro straps can be used to secure the body to the base. In particular velcro straps are suitable for securing around the shoulder part of the body 4 to more securely engage the body 4 with the base, while at the same time allowing the body to simulate the motion of a rider or jockey when a horse is moving with the device of the invention attached.

The base 2 further comprises a plurality of straps, with one pair of straps 30, 32 extending from side 3 and a second pair of straps 34, 36 extending from side 5 (as shown more clearly in Figure 4) . Secured to the side 3 and between the straps 30, 32 is the guide ring 38, while between straps 34, 36 is the guide ring 40 secured to the side 5, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 to 5.

Referring now to Figure 6, there is provided an exploded view of the device 1 of the present invention. The base 2 further comprises a coiled spring 72 secured to the upper portion 70 thereof. The body 4 further comprises an aperture which leads to an internal cavity configured to accommodate the spring 72. The guides 38, 40 are illustrated as having a threaded screw portion 76 with an eye 74 for a head. The guides 38, 40 are secured to the base 2 by matingly engaging with a threaded aperture 78 in both sides 3 and 5 of the base 2.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is provided an alternative means of connecting and/or securing the body 4 to the base 2 between securing rings 60,61,62,63. The base 2 further comprises a female member 80 embedded in the upper portion 70 thereof. The female member 80, in this instance comprising a base and two side walls taking the form of a channel, extends from side 2 across to side 5 of the base 2. The female member 80 is adapted to matingly receive a corresponding male member 85 situated on an underside 88 of the body 4. The male member 85 extends from side 20 to side 22 of the body 4. Optionally, the channel 80 and/or male member 85 can be adapted with velcro type material or strips to connect the body to the base portion more securely. It will be appreciated that in an alternative embodiment the channel 80 can be provided in the body portion 4 and the male member in the base portion and operate in the same manner to secure the body 4 to the base 2 as described above.

In a further embodiment of Figure 7 no male or female member is provided and the connection means comprises one or more velcro strip to attach the body 4 to the base 2. Extra straps can be provided to make the connection between the base and the body more secure.

In use, the base 2 is placed on a saddle and straps 30, 32, 34, 36 are looped around and under the belly of a horse where they are secured by buckles. The aperture of the body 4 is positioned over the spring 72. The spring 72 is accommodated in the internal cavity of the body 4. Alternatively, the male member 85 of the body 4 is received by the female member 80 of the base 2. The body 4 is secured to the base 2 by running the strap 42 through the buckle 44 and guide ring 38, and fastening the strap 42 therein. Similarly, strap 46 is run through buckle 48 and fastened therein. The guide rings 38, 40 each accommodate a long reining, which is attached to a bridle being worn by the horse, which allows a horse handler to control the movement of the horse by using the reins as if it was being controlled by a rider. If a horse handler wishes the body 4 to move vigorously with the movement of the horse, the horizontal strap 19 is loosened by opening buckle 28 and allowing some slack in the harness 6. This lessens the pressure applied by the harness 6 on the body 4, which concomitantly lessens the pressure on the spring 72 accommodated in the internal cavity of the body 4 or on the male member 85 of the body 4 accommodated by the female member 80 of the base 2. As such, if the horse moves quickly or attempts to throw the device 1, the body 4 will move freely while remaining secured to the base 2. In reverse, if the horizontal strap 19 is tightened there is more pressure applied to the spring 72 or the male member 85 and so the body 4 becomes more rigid and therefore does not move so freely.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, there is illustrated a pair of weighted pouches 90 hung from the base 2 via support rings 94 of the pouch 90 and the guide rings 38, 40 of the base 2, to simulate the weight of a rider on the horse. The pouch 90 can be made from canvas or leather or other suitable hard wearing material. The pouch 90 may be filled with any material 92, for example sand or the like, to provide the weight required to simulate the weight of a rider/rider ' s legs engaged with a saddle. The pouch 90 may be closed by pulling on a draw string 98. It was found that sand is a particularly useful filler as it provides a smooth contoured force against the horses body simulating the way a rider's boot would actually feel on a horse's body when in motion. The support ring 94 is connected to the guide rings 38, 40 via a connecting means 96. The (combined) weight of the pouch or pouches should preferably be between about 25 to about 40 kg so as not to harm the horse while being trained.

The benefit of having the device 1 moving freely in use on the horse is to mimic the movements of a rider on the horse's back. Throughout its lifetime, a horse will experience all different levels of ability in each rider and each rider will move differently in the saddle. The ultimate aim of a free moving device 1 is that it will subject the horse to movements and subsequently get used to these movements. Thus, a freely moving device 1 limits a negative reaction a horse may have to how a rider moves in the saddle.

The benefit of having the device 1 rigid in use is when, for example, a young horse is being trained and subjected to someone on its back, the safety rider will not move about as much on its back. This has its advantages in that the rigid device 1 gets the horse used to this new experience of having someone on its back and also the device 1 will not frighten the horse to this new experience of "the rider". As the horse gets more accustomed to someone on its back, the device 1 can be made to move more freely on the horse's back, thus getting the horse used to different reactions of a rider on its back. This should dramatically reduce injuries to the rider and the horse, and also make the horse a quieter animal to ride.

In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa. The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.