WO1999037579A1

WO1999037579A1 - Equestrian control aid

Info

Publication number: WO1999037579A1
Application number: PCT/GB1999/000256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maggie Tyers
Original assignee: M.J. Ainge & Co. Limited
Priority date: 1998-01-27
Filing date: 1999-01-26
Publication date: 1999-07-29
Also published as: GB9801584D0; AU2288299A

Abstract

An equestrian control aid comprising control reins (28) one of which in use is provided at each side of a head of a horse, each control rein having an upper part extending from a first point (23), located generally towards the top of the horse's head, in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, and a lower part extending in use from a second point, located generally at the muzzle (32) of the horse, also in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, the control reins in use restricting movement of the head of the horse.

Description

Title: Equestrian Control Aid Description of Invention

The present invention relates to an equestrian control aid, more particularly, but not exclusively, to an equestrian control aid for use during riding, training or schooling of horses or ponies. Hereinafter reference shall only be made to a horse and horses, however it will be appreciated that the reference also includes ponies. Furthermore, for simplicity the activities of riding, training and schooling a horse will be jointly referred to as working a horse or horses.

Horses have the tendency whilst being worked, particularly by inexperienced persons, to graze, lowering their heads to such an extent as to encumber the control of the horse. Furthermore, horses have a tendency when being worked to execute excessive and evasive head movements, which is a particular problem when a horse is being ridden, for example, by an inexperienced or handicapped rider, as it can cause the rider to lose the riding reins or be pulled off balance.

When the horse is being worked without a rider upon its back, for example when the horse is being lunged, a trainer is unable to prevent the horse from lowering or raising its head as the trainer has no direct control of the vertical movement of the head of the horse. Even when the horse is being worked with a rider upon its back, it is difficult to prevent the horse lowering or raising its head merely with the riding reins.

So called "grass reins" are known in the art, and comprise leashes attached at one end to, for example, a bit of a bridle and at the other end to, for example, a saddle. The leashes are of such a length that the horse is unable to lower its head to an extent that it may reach the grass with its muzzle to graze. However the problem with such grass reins is that they do not prevent other head movements, and in any event, can provide a sharp shock to a horse making a sudden head movement which could injure the horse.

According to the present invention there is provided an equestrian control aid comprising control reins one of which in use is provided at each side of a head of a horse, each control rein having an upper part extending from a first point, located generally towards the top of the horse's head, in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, and a lower part extending in use from a second point, located generally at the muzzle of the horse, also in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, the control reins in use restricting unwarranted movement of the head of the horse.

An advantage of the present invention is that the restraint of the control reins on the horse's head deters the horse from lowering its head to graze, as well as preventing excessive and evasive movement of the head. Consequently, for the case where the horse is being worked without a rider, the control reins help to overcome the problem of the trainer not having direct control over movement up and down of the horse's head.

Also, when the horse is being worked with a rider upon its back, the control reins reduce the effect of excessive and evasive head movements which could otherwise cause the rider, and particularly an inexperienced or handicapped rider, to lose the riding reins or to be pulled off balance.

Preferably the upper and lower parts of each control rein each extends between their respective first and second points to a common third point, e.g. on a saddle disposed upon the back of the horse. Each control rein may also extend between the first and second points, thereby forming a generally triangular configuration about which each control rein preferably forms a continuous loop. An advantage of the control rein forming a continuous loop is that as the horse moves its head slowly, slippage of the control rein about its loop is permitted so that the control aid may adjust to the varying shape formed by the horse's head and neck, thereby reducing unnecessary restriction of the horse's head.

First guide means are preferably provided at the first point to allow guided movement of the control rein therethrough, reducing the likelihood of the respective control rein snagging. Each guide means preferably comprises a roller.

The first guide means may be provided by a headpiece which in use extends over the top of the head of the horse. The headpiece may be part of an article of headgear, such as a bridle, or may be independent, and retained in position relative to an article of headgear by way of at least one strap which encircles an adjacent part of the article of headgear worn by the horse.

Second guide means are preferably provided by the article of headgear at the second point. The article of headgear may be a bridle comprising a mouth bit having bit rings at either end, whereby each bit ring provides the second guide means on either side of the head of the horse.

Third guide means may be provided at the third point, for example a ring, such as a D-ring, located toward the front of the saddle.

Alternatively, the third guide means may comprise a guide member provided with a first through aperture towards a first end thereof through which the respective control rein passes and a second through aperture towards a second end thereof for engagement with a part of the saddle, such as a stirrup bar or girth strap.

Each control rein may be capable of resilient extension to absorb shock and reduce any risk of damage to the horse if the control rein becomes taught suddenly as a result of head movement. Preferably at least a part of each control rein is made from a resilient material. Preferably, each control rein is capable of integrating into the loop at least one variation strap, wherein the at least one variation strap may also be capable of resilient extension.

Preferably at least a part of each control rein which passes through the first and/or second and/or third guide means has a generally circular cross- sectional configuration such that the control rein may move more freely through the guide means.

The present invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an illustration of an equestrian control aid according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an illustration of a headpiece of the control aid of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an illustration of a guide member for use in conjunction with the control aid of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an illustration of a control rein according to the present invention;

Figures 5 to 7 are illustrations of variation straps which may be used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 8 is an illustration of an alternative control rein, with a variation strap connected thereto; and

Figures 9 to 11 are illustrations of the operation of the control aid of Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown an equestrian control aid 10 according to the present invention being used in conjunction with an article of headgear, which for the embodiment illustiated is a bridle 12 shown by a first set of broken lines. A second set of broken lines has been used to illustrate a horse 14 on which the bridle 12 and control aid 10 may be used.

The control aid 10 comprises a headpiece 16, a clearer illustration of which is provided in Figure 2, which extends over the back of the head of the horse 14, behind the ears. The headpiece 16 is preferably made from leather or a leather substitute material, and comprises straps 18 which encircle an adjacent part of the bridle 12 to retain the headpiece 16 in position. The present invention is not limited to the headpiece 16 being retained by straps 18, but may be retained by any suitable alternative means.

Although two straps 28 are shown, any suitable number may alternatively be provided.

For the illustrated embodiment, each strap 18 is securely attached at a first end to the headpiece 16 whilst comprising toward a second end thereof a through aperture 20. The through aperture 20 is engageable with a stud 22 provided on the headpiece 16 to fasten the second end such that the strap 18 forms a loop which in use encircles the adjacent part of the bridle 12 retaining the head piece 16 in position. The present invention is not limited to the use of a through aperture 20 and stud 22 to fasten the straps 18 to form the loop, but any suitable alternative method may be used, such as buckles.

At each end of the headpiece 16 there is provided a first guide means 23, which for the illustrated embodiment comprises a roller 24, rotatably mounted on a substantially U-shaped element 26, which is secured to a ring 27 at the end of the of the headpiece 16. The roller 24 provides a guide means about which a control rein 28, which is preferably made from leather or a leather substitute material, in use rides, whilst the mounting element 26 prevents the control rein 28 becoming disengaged from the guide 23. Instead of the rollers 24, a substantially smooth bar may be a sufficient alternative guide.

A second guide means for the control rein 28 is provided, towards the end of the muzzle 32 of the horse 14, and a third guide means is provided rearwards, relative to the first and second guide means. The second guide means is preferably provided by the article of headgear, and in the illustrated embodiment the bridle 12 comprises a mouth bit having a bit ring 34 on either side of the mouth of the horse 14. The control rein 28 is therefore able to pass through the bit ring 34, which acts as the guide.

In the illustrated embodiment, a saddle 36 is located upon the back of the horse 14, which comprises thereon a ring 38 on either side of the horse 14, generally located beneath the withers of the horse 14. The ring 38 illustrated is a D-ring, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this shape of ring. The D-ring 38 provides the third guide means for the control rein 28. The present invention is also not limited to the use of the ring 38 provided on the saddle 36, but any suitable alternative means for providing a guide for the control reins 28 may be provided.

One such alternative is illustrated in Figure 3, where there is shown a guide member 40 comprising two through apertures 42, 44, one located towards each end thereof. The first through aperture 42 comprises a generally circular cross-sectional configuration whilst the second through aperture 44 comprises a generally elongate cross-sectional configuration.

The first through aperture 42 in use provides a guide through which the control rein 28 may pass, as an alternative to the D-ring 38 provided by the saddle 36. The second through aperture 44 is engageable, for example, with a stirrup bar (not shown) provided by the saddle 36, or alternatively with a girth strap.

Furthermore, the third guide means is not limited to being provided on a saddle 36. Any suitable alternative means for providing a third guide may be used, for example a so called "tiaining roller" commonly used when training a horse.

The control rein 28 is one of a pair of control reins, each of which in use is situated generally at each side of the head of the horse 14, and comprising an upper part extending between the roller 24 and the D-ring 38 and a lower part extending between the bit ring 34 and the D-ring 38. Each control rein 28 in the illustrated embodiment also extends between the roller 24 and the bit ring 34 forming a loop, such that each control rein 28 passes through the roller 24 provided by the headpiece 16, through the respective bit ring 34 and through the respective D-ring 38 provided by the saddle 36. The respective roller 24, bit ring 34 and D-ring 38 forming a generally triangular configuration for each control rein 28.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown a control rein 28 for the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. The control rein 28 comprises at a first end a buckle 46, and at a second end a plurality of through apertures 48 capable of engaging with the buckle 46 such that the control rein 28 forms a loop. The plurality of through apertures 48 allow the control rein 28 to be adjusted in length to suit varying sizes and dimensions of horses for which it may be used.

The buckle 46 and through apertures 48 of the control rein 28 also allow variation straps to be integrated in the loop, such as those illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. A variation strap 50 illustrated in Figure 5 comprises at a first end a buckle 52 which is capable of engagement with the through apertures 48 of the control rein 28. The variation strap 50 further comprises at a second end through apertures 54 which are capable of engagement with the buckle 46 of the control rein 28 such that the variation strap 50 may be integrated into the loop formed by the control rein 28.

A part 56 of the variation strap 50 is made from a resilient material, which acts as a shock absorber when the control rein 28 is pulled taught suddenly by the horse moving its head, reducing the risk of damage to the horse.

Figure 6 illustrates an alternative variation strap 62, which also comprises a buckle 52 and through apertures 54 for engagement with the through apertures 48 and buckle 46 of the control rein 28 respectively. The variation strap 62 further comprises a ring of resilient material 60, which is an alternative to the resilient part 56 of the variation strap 50 illustrated in Figure 5. Alternatively, the control rein 28 may otherwise be capable of resilient extension, in which case such variation straps being capable of resilient extension may not be necessaiy.

Variation straps which comprise no resilient means may also be integrated into the loop formed by the control rein 28 in order to increase the size of the loop if the control rein 28 is of insufficient length for the particular size and dimensions of the horse. Figure 7 illustrates such a variation strap 58.

Figure 8 illustrates a control rein 28 comprising a midsection 64 having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration, which is preferably in a region at least adjacent the roller 24 of the first guide means, when in use and may also be in a region adjacent the bit ring 34 and D-ring 38, to further encourage free guided movement of the control rein 28 about the roller 24, and bit ring 34 and D-ring 38.

Referring now to Figure 9 there is shown an illustration of a control aid according to the present invention in use, whereby the head of the horse 14 is in a desired position so that the control rein 28 is in a relaxed state.

Figure 10 shows a similar illustration to that of Figure 9, however the head of the horse 14 is in a raised position such that the control rein 28 is taught, deterring the horse 14 from raising its head further.

Figure 11 shows yet another similar illustration to those of Figures 9 and 10, where the head of the horse 14 is in a lowered position such that the control rein 28 is also taught. In this illustration the control rein 28 deters the horse 14 from lowering its head any further.

It will be appreciated that by altering the length of the control rein 28 it is possible to alter the amount by which the horse 14 may raise or lower its head. Therefore it will also be appreciated that the control reins 28 restrain the horse 14 from being able to execute excessive and evasive head movement, thus making control of the horse 14 easier and reducing the possibility of the rider losing the riding reins, or being pulled off balance. Slippage of each control rein 28 about the loop as the horse moves its head slowly is permitted by the roller 24, bit ring 34 and D-ring 38 so that the control aid 10 can adjust to the varying shape formed by the horse's head and neck, thereby reducing unnecessary restriction of the horse's head.

The control reins 28 are preferably between 120cm and 220cm in length, and are adjustable by between 20cm and 30cm. The length of the headpiece 16 when laid flat is preferably between 25cm and 30cm from end to end, excluding the rollers 24, mounting members 26 and rings 27, and the straps 18 are preferably between 18cm and 22cm apart. The variation straps 50, 58, 62 illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 are preferably around 30 cm in length, with the resilient parts being made from rubber or similar material.

The present invention is not limited to use in conjunction with a bridle, but any other suitable headgear may be used, for example a lunge cavesson used when schooling a horse.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. An equestrian control aid comprising control reins one of which in use is provided at each side of a head of a horse, each control rein having an upper part extending from a first point, located generally towards the top of the horse's head, in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, and a lower part extending in use from a second point, located generally at the muzzle of the horse, also in a generally rearward direction to a point generally fixed relative to the horse, the control reins in use restricting movement of the head of the horse.

2. A control aid according to claim 1 wherein the upper and lower parts of each control rein each extends between their respective first and second points to a common third point on a saddle disposed upon the back of the horse.

3. A control aid according to claim 2 wherein each control rein extends between the first and second points.

4. A control aid according to claim 3 wherein each control rein forms a loop.

5. A control aid according to claim 4 wherein first guide means are provided at the first point to allow guided movement of the control rein therethrough.

6. A control aid according to claim 5 wherein each first guide means comprises a roller.

7. A control aid according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the first guide means is provided by a headpiece which in use extends over the top of the head of the horse.

8. A control aid according to claim 7 wherein the headpiece is retained in position by way of at least one strap which encircles an adjacent part of an article of headgear worn by the horse.

9. A control aid according to claim 8 wherein second guide means are provided by the article of headgear at the second point.

10. A control aid according to claim 9 wherein the article of headgear is a bridle comprising a mouth bit having bit rings at either end, whereby each bit ring provides the second guide means on either side of the head of the horse.

11. A control aid according to any one of claims 4 to 10 wherein third guide means are provided at the third point.

12. A control aid according to claim 11 wherein the third guide means comprises a guide member provided with a first through aperture towards a first end thereof through which the respective control rein passes and a second through aperture towards a second end thereof for engagement with a part of the saddle.

13. A control aid according to any one of claims 4 to 12 wherein each control rein is capable of resilient extension.

14. A control aid according to claim 13 wherein at least a part of each control rein is made from a resilient material.

15. A control aid according to any one claims 4 to 14 wherein each control rein is capable of integrating into the loop at least one variation strap.

16. A control aid according to claim 15 wherein the at least one variation strap is capable of resilient extension.

17. A control aid according to any one of claims 5 to 16 wherein at least a part of each control rein which passes through the first and/or second and/or third guide means has a generally circular cross-sectional configuration.

18. A control aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.