THIS INVENTION relates to an improved saddle and in parti¬ cular to improvements in saddle panels.

Sadc-fes have in the past been constructed in what was a very time consuming and costly operation with the expe¬ rienced saddler having to "build up" his saddle on a conventional saddle tree by the addition of webbing, shaped padding and other material . This enables a parti¬ cular shape of saddle to be formed which then receives a covering of leather and other materials to provide the finished product.

Our Australian Patent No. 524616 covered a method of saddle construction wherein vast improvements were made to the manner in which a saddle was assembled, with the time of assembly being greatly reduced. Both advantages being extremely important with todays high labour costs. In particular Patent No. 524616 related to a method of making a saddle wherein the upper saddle coverings including the seat, backs and upper flaps are formed into a single upper member, the underside saddle coverings including the panel, lining and underflaps are formed into a single underside member, said upper and underside members being secured together around the periphery of the seat to form a pocket thereby enabling a saddle tree to be inserted, said upper and underside members being secured together and to the cantle of the saddle tree to form a saddle.

This particular construction method is most successful in "racing" saddles where lightness is a major consideration. In English saddles the construction technique differs with strength and comfort in the saddle being considered. In virtually all saddles the weight of the rider is taken by the stirrups, knee rolls (provided in the leading edge of

the flaps) and the seat bones of the rider. In English saddles or any saddle that is to be used for long periods of time, comfort is a major consideration.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a saddle which enables the weight of the rider to be spread over a far greater area of the animals back and thereby provide a more comfortable saddle.

In one form the invention resides in a saddle wherein padding or filling is provided in the saddle panels or flaps to eliminate the voids between a riders inner thighs and the body of an animal.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a reverse plan view of a partially con¬ structed saddle;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the saddle showing the saddle panels; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of Fig. 2 with upper saddle flaps fitted.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings a saddle of the English style is illustrated having the conventional saddle tree 11, Cantle 13, seat 15, pommel 17, skirt 19, stirrup straps 21 and flaps 23. In the construction of a conventional saddle the underside of the saddle tree 11 is built up or raised with a central longitudinal void 25 to ensure that the riders body weight does not bear down upon the backbone of the animal and cause injury. The under¬ side of the saddle tree 11 and leading edge 27 of the flaps 23 are normally built up with padding to protect the animal and provide a "knee roll" 27A for the comfort and

use by the rider. Between these areas a number of voids are formed which are hidden by the saddle skirt 19 and flaps 23. In riding the weight- of the rider is supported on the animal by the stirrups, knee roll and built up area under the saddle tree (upon which the riders seat bones bear). These three specific points tend to concentrate the load being carried and also lead to saddle slip or roll when the weight or centre of gravity of the rider is suddenly changed. Problems of this form occurring in such events as Polo or Polo Cross.

In this invention, as shown in the drawings, the padding 29 for the "knee roll" 27A is extended rearwardly 31 to fill the traditional voids. Instead of the saddle panels or flaps 23 hanging loosely down from the saddle seat 15 or saddle skirt 19 they are padded to lie in contact with both the inner thighs of the rider and the body of the animal. The padding which is generally in the form of a condensed foam panel 33 is then covered by the traditional skirts, flaps etc of a saddle. The panel 33 shown in the drawings also extends rearwardly to provide support to the rear of the riders thighs.

The advantages of the padding or filling 33 is that the weight of the rider is distributed over a very much larger area of the horses back. The weight of the rider being taken by the seat bones, thighs, knees on the knee roll and by the stirrups. The greater distribution of weight provides a far more comfortable saddle for both the horse and rider.

In addition to the comfort the saddle is much more stable with no tendency to roll and move around on the horses back, as is the case with all normal saddles currently being made.

OMPI

Whilst the invention is remarkably simple the result is a saddle vastly superior to current manufactured saddles; a saddle with reduced roll and a saddle with a more even distribution of weight for the animal and comfort for the rider.

Whilst the invention is described with reference to one specific embodiment it is not limited thereto and may be varied somewhat without departing from the scope of the claims.

OMPI