GB2494688A - Dummy rider - Google Patents

Abstract

A training kit for a horse comprising saddle weighting and a dummy 2. The dummy is removably attached to a cover 3 which is secured under the horse via a lunging roller. Pockets 7 are preferably provided on the cover to house the weights. The kit is designed to be used during lunging or longeing.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

HARRY CHAIM FAIBISH

FOR

A TRAINING KIT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a training kit, more particularly for training horses.

Background

Often horses need raining for a variety of reasons, youth, style, fitness or competition.

Lunging or longeing is a process of walking a horse around a ring, whilst on a rope, or lunge rein.

There are multiple benefits to the practise of lunging. Firstly, it's a great way to exercise a fresh horse before riding him. It is also a very important part of the training process of a young horse as well as a varied form of exercise and is particularly useful when the horse or rider have been injured.

Lunging is also a tool to help improve the horse's rhythm and movement by repetition and observation. However it is not something that should be attempted by a very inexperienced rider with an untrained horse.

A longeing, lunging or lunge roller, or surcingle, is a padded band that straps around the horse's girth area, and has rings around on its side for side reins so that the horse can be trained in lunging.

Horses will often react differently to a roller than to a saddle, so a thoroughly-broken-in ten-year-old may buck and become irritated with the roller. This is usually due to the fact that the horse can feel a surcingle or saddle around his middle, but is confused by the fact that there is little weight upon his back.

This means two persons may be needed, one to hold the lunge rein and another to ride-This is personnel intensive and also, where the horse is young, may be difficult for the rider as the horse may be unsettled.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an effort to deal with the problem, including the following: Granted United States patent US 7 721 514 (PIERCE). which discloses an equine weight training system, comprising: a saddle tree to be positioned upon a back of a horse; a harness device including a plurality of straps, wherein said plurality of straps extend outwardly from said harness device and wherein said harness device extends over said saddle tree to allow said plurality of straps to loop around a horse; a plurality of pouches extending from said harness device; and a plurality of weighted objects removably positioned within said plurality of pouches, wherein said plurality of weighted objects are inserted and removed from said plurality of pouches to accustom a horse to weight positioned upon a back of a horse; wherein said plurality of straps include at least one centre strap to simulate legs of a rider upon a horse; wherein said plurality of pouches includes a plurality of upper pouches and a plurality of lower pouches wherein said plurality of lower pouches extend from said at least one centre strap; wherein said plurality of lower pouches include a plurality of first lower pouches and a plurality of second lower pouches; wherein said plurality of first lower pouches are perpendicular to said plurality of second lower pouches.

Granted United States patent US 7 249 447 (DIAZ) discloses a horse training assembly comprising: a girth having a plurality of connecting points, a rear tensor extending behind the horse rear legs and having two ends, one end at each side of the horse, at least one a rear cord having a rear cord middle point connected to a first connecting point of said plurality of connecting points of the girth, and two rear cord ends each one connected to one of the ends of the rear tensor, and at least a pair of side cords each side cord extending at a side of the horse, wherein each side cord has a rear end connected to one end of the rear tensor and extends from the rear tensor towards the head of the horse, passes through a bit of a harness worn by the horse and turns back to define a forward cord section that is adjustably fastened to a second connecting point of the plurality of connecting points in the girth.

Granted United States patent US 6 352 053 (RECORDS et al) discloses an apparatus that enables an observer to test an animal to determine its propensity to buck, said apparatus comprising: a saddle adapted to simulate a rider when said saddle is releasably secured to the animal to thereby stimulate the animal to buck, said saddle having a releasable cinch responsive to a remote release signal; and, a remote control selectively actuable by the observer to transmit said remote release signal to release said cinch to thereby enable the animal to buck off said saddle.

United States patent application US 5 769 030 (ACOFF) discloses an animal training and conditioning apparatus comprising: a collar for securing the animal training and conditioning apparatus around the animal's neck and for preventing the animal training and conditioning apparatus from sliding toward the animal's hind legs; a back strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said back strap securably attached to said collar at a point behind the animal's neck; a chest strap having a first end and a second end, said first end of said chest strap securably attached to said collar at a point in front of the animal's neck; and a weighted vest having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion of said weighted vest securably attached to said second end of said back strap such that said back strap extends from said collar to said upper portion of said weighted vest down the middle of the animal's back, said lower portion of said weighted vest securably attached to said second end of said chest strap such that said chest strap extends from said collar to said lower portion of said weighted vest down the middle of the animal's chest and between the animal's front legs, said upper portion of said weighted vest extends generally perpendicularly from said second end of said back strap for disposition upon the upper side of the animal's torso, said lower portion of said weighted vest extends generally perpendicularly from said second end of said chest strap for disposition under the lower side of the animal's torso, said upper portion of said weighted vest being adjustable relative to said lower portion of said weighted vest to provide for a snug and comfortable fit around the animal's torso, said upper portion and said lower portion of said weighted vest have a plurality of weights disposed therein and oriented in such a manner as to generally equalize the weight distributed on the animal's left side and the animal's right side, thereby enhancing the training and conditioning of the animal's hind legs and cardiovascular system and enhancing the training of the animal's balance.

United States patent application US 5 127 213 (PETRONIO) discloses a training and conditioning apparel for animals, comprising: a leotard-like undergarment filling around the body of an animal; a blanket-type member positioned on the back of the animal over the undergarment, said blanket-type member positioned on the back of the animal and extending in length in accordance with a desired training and conditioning protocol for the animal; and means for weighting the blanket-like member including a plurality of compartments disposed in a selected pattern in said blanket-like member, and said compartments being arranged for carrying weights, at least two of said compartments being disposed so as to extend from the front to the rear of the blanket-like member and along a common longitudinal axis of said at least two compartments with the aggregate of the carried weights being effective for weighting the blanket-like member in accordance with the desired training and conditioning protocol.

In contrast the present invention provides a multi-purpose kit for the backing or training to accept a rider on their back, of young horses, predominantly but not exclusively for use in lunging.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a training kit for a horse; including saddle weighting and a dummy.

The kit ideally is used to train a horse to become habituated to a presence and/or weighting of a rider, or in horse-riding parlance for backing of a horse that has not been ridden previously.

The preferred embodiments of the kit include a bridle with bit, a daisy rein, a saddle and/or saddle undersheet such as a numnah, or cover; and a large longeing, lunging or lunge roller or surcingle.

The dummy acts to visually persuade a horse that a rider is on its back and wherein the weighting is disposed about the horse's sides, such as hung on the saddle or numnah, and may be adjusted to further replicate a rider as welt as adjusting for the horse and/or rider preference.

The weighting can be ideally added to via detachable bags wherein each bag can be removed independently allowing the user to customise the total weight on the horse.

When filled with sand, each bag will typically weigh ten kilograms.

The bags should be attached to corresponding D-rings, typically on the saddle, with a sprung clip and secured in place with a hook and loop area such as a VELCRO (Trade Mark) area on its rear, typically wherein this is to the saddle, in a manner that prevents movement and/or discomfort to the horse.

If further weight is required, two additional bags may be provided at the rear of the lunging roller being secured in position using a buckle.

The lunging or lunge roller in preferred embodiments s a leather or fabric girth that goes around the horse's belly and fastens with a buckle having padding either side of the horse's withers (area between the horse's saddle and neck).

This helps maintain the dummy and weighting in position on the horse and prevent discomfort and movement.

Ideally the dummy will lean forward as the horse jumps.

In the preferred embodiments strapping running from the roller to the horse's side additionally encourage the horse to keep its head upright.

A martingale may also be used in the kit, this being strapping that is disposed to control the horse's head, and prevent the horse from throwing his head above the point of control, by placing pressure on the head so the horse cannot raise it higher.

These forms of strapping are ideally adjustable via an intermediate buckle middle to allow adjustment for different sized horses, and in preferred embodiments attach to the lunging roller using sprung clips.

The dummy preferably has a weighted base in order to maintain its position, as well as hook and loop attachment such as VELCRO (Trade Mark) or another means of removably and securely fastening the dummy in place to the roller, like press studs, Velcro and may for example secure to the horse's martingale with sprung clips.

The dummy is furthermore ideally secured in an upright riding position using two strips either side of the horse.

The kit helps to train the horse in three areas. Preferably all features can be used independently or at the same time.

Furthermore different parts of the kit may be used or configured as is felt to be appropriate by the user with regards to the horse. For example the user may first lunge the horse without the reins or side strips, and when the horse goes correctly forward, then, put the bottom strips, for example not too constrictive, and when the horse goes good with this, the user can put the top strips on the horse, again not constrictive.

And with weighting, it may not be put on all at once, as first the horse is trained with no weight, and when the horse goes correctly forward, the user can put one bag on his back to let the horse get use to the weighting on his back gradually.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a large lunging rotter forms the base of the kit, allowing the bags, the dummy and the side strips to be secured to the horse. A soft padded rear ensures a comfortable fit.

The lunging roller should be first be secured to the horse, followed by the martingale or strapping, and finally the reins or strips, as and if required by the user.

In preferred embodiments the kit can be used with or include any standard bridle, with no modifications are required.

Once weighted with sand, the bags can be attached to the lunging roller. The sprung clip secures the bag whilst a hook and loop area prevents it from moving.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to. falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the kit in use attached to a horse; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment in use; Figures 3 show a front and rear view of the preferred embodiment in use; and Figures 4 show views of the preferred embodiment in use; from above and below.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the kit includes a girth band built into a cover similar to a numnah, saddle pad, blanket, sheet, securing a majority of the kit to the horse.

The pictured embodiment includes the following: Bridle (1); Dummy (2); Cover (3) and lunging roller (4), connected and padded to negate need for a numnah.

Further embodiments may have individual numnah, cover and roller as preferred; Side strips or daisy rein (5); Martingale (6); Weighting pockets (7).

A numnah is typically a pad of sheepskin or wool that goes under the horse's saddle to keep the saddle clean and to cushion the horse's back. The cover 3 pictured is similar to this, but with said additions as peculiar to the kit.

The pictured embodiment has the cover 3 placed over the horse in use. This cover 3 is then fastened underneath the horse with a lunging roller 4 (similar to a girth band).

The daisy rein 5 attaches to the cover 3 to keep the horse's head upright, being leather strips that attach to the head piece of the bridle 1 and then onto the D rings on the cover 3.

Further embodiments of the rein 5 run along the crest of the horse and prevent the horse lowering his head beyond the movement needed for the gait.

In the pictured preferred embodiment there are six weighting pockets 7 in the cover 3 (three either side), which allow individual sandbags to be placed in the pockets.

These pockets 7 can have an open top or can have a flap to help contain sandbags or other form of weighting. It is envisaged that each sandbag weighs 10kg, adding up to a total possible weighting of 60kg.

These pockets 7 may be integrated into the cover 3, or as pictured are hung on the cover as appropriate.

In other embodiments there are four pockets instead of six, wherein each pocket can hold a 15kg sandbag.

The dummy 2 is ideally inflatable and is held in place using hook and loop portions such as VELCRO (Trade Mark) on its base and secured using two fasteners (front and rear). The weighted base sits on top of the lunging roller 4 and is held in position using VELCRO.

When attaching the dummy. its arms should be secured first by attaching sprung clips on the arms to the D-rings of the rein 5.

In further embodiments the dummy is larger and more realistic than the pictured dummy, and there is also a Velcro strap on either side, to secure legs of the dummy.

In such embodiments the arms on the dummy attach to the D-rings at the front of the sheet using VELCRO. The benefit of such embodiments is that the dummy can be removed quicker should the horse panic.

In yet further embodiments the dummy may be formed in other materials, such as being solid form or moulded plastic as appropriate.

A standard bridle 1 with a bit fits around the horse's head and gives a point of attachment for the rein 5.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>Claims 1. A training kit for a horse; including saddle weighting and a dummy.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A kit according to claim 1 including a large lunging roller that allows weighting bags, the dummy and securement straps to be secured to the horse.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A kit according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the dummy is detachable.</claim-text>