EP0640558A1 - Harnessing device for exercising and leading of horses - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a harnessing device for exercising and leading horses. This device comprises at least one prompting member (10, 25) which is placed around the bottom of the horse's neck (5) and means (12a, 23) for pulling the said member upwards and backwards. This prompting member (10, 25) is designed to exert an uncomfortable prompting action around the bottom of the horse's neck (5), in an area between the third cervical vertebra and the first dorsal vertebra, as soon as the position of the top (6) of the horse's neck (5) deviates from a target position by a predetermined lower limit. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a gymnastic harnessing and driving apparatus for horses.

Many training "training" systems are known, such as the so-called "Gogue" or "Chambon" systems, designed to impose on the horse a determined attitude to dominate it, correct a bad attitude or force it to take a gymnastic working position intended to lengthen certain muscles or to develop others.

These systems, which are all connected to the mouth or the muzzle, are intended to force the horse to lower or bend the head which it tends to carry too high when fighting against the hand, which digs the back.

"The Gogue training" essentially consists of a triangulated chest-nape-mouth system closed on itself (independent training) or on the hand (controlled training) and sliding on headrest pulleys and in the rings of the bit. It acts on the neck and mouth of the horse and has the effect of either lowering the head and neck, or bending the head on the neck. The action of this entrainment irresistibly leads the horse to the extension downwards to escape the high bending of the entrainment. When he has accepted this submission, the horse indulges in real head dives that it is sometimes difficult to make him lift.

It is therefore understandable that this entanglement has perverse effects which can even be dangerous when the horse is ridden by a novice rider.

In addition, "Gogue entrainment" acts mainly by traction on the bit when the horse lifts or backs its neck. The bending of the head on the neck that it imposes is artificial, compresses the throat and leads the horse to dig its spine. This digging goes against the locomotor capacities of the horse and only accentuates the harmful effects of the weight of the rider. Another perverse effect of the "Gogue" is to lead to the winding of the head on the neck, the chamfer coming inside the vertical.

"The Chambon reinforcement" joins the horse's mouth to the chest through the neck. It acts by brutal constraint, which leads the submission of the horse to be accompanied by a defense reaction against the bit while constantly maintaining the lowering of the head and neck.

This reinforcement, unlike the "Gogue", which mainly leads to bending the head on the neck, mainly aims to obtain a fixed reeducational position of the digging of the spine by lowering the nose to the ground. This constrained attitude in fact obtains the forced extension of the muscles and tendons which reverse the neck and hollow out the back (which goes against their development). In addition, this attitude places the horse in a sloping position forward (hips higher than the withers), which removes any motor possibility from its hind limbs, more employed in restraining the fall than in propulsion.

Another known system, known as "Pessoa training", also coercive, connects the horse's mouth to the rope of its hocks through a surfaix. Compared to the aforementioned systems, this entrainment has the advantage of seeking to develop the work of engagement of the limbs and of strengthening the back of the horse. It allows galloping work, but cannot be used mounted. Furthermore, this entanglement, by establishing a connection between the hock cord and the mouth, imposes a fixed position constraint of the former relative to the latter, which prevents the horse from stretching.

None of the known entanglements really tends to reverse the natural digging of the spine of the horse nor to induce this one to use its spinal column as driving force of its locomotion.

The object of the present invention is to develop the motor muscular apparatus of the horse by using a non-coercive harness which incites him to adopt and keep at work, whether mounted or not, a dynamic locomotor attitude, whatever his pace, and in which braking, even in full action, is facilitated. The invention also aims to encourage the horse to place the head and neck in a fixed attitude which allows him to move his shoulders powerfully while leaving him the greatest autonomy as to the permanent adjustment of this attitude. The invention also aims to bring the horse to adopt a type of locomotion allowing him to develop his muscular masses of power. The invention finally aims to improve the work of the horse and facilitate its handling, even for an inexperienced rider.

To this end, and in accordance with the invention, the harnessing apparatus for horses comprises at least one stimulation member placed at the lower part of the neck of the horse and means for returning said member upwards and towards the back. This stimulating organ is intended to exert a annoying or unpleasant stimulation at the lower part of the horse’s neck, in a region from the third cervical vertebra to the first dorsal vertebra, as soon as the position of the horse’s neck deviates from a target position beyond a determined lower limit.

Thanks to the invention, the stimulating member makes its effect felt as soon as the horse attempts to resume a relaxed attitude in which the base of the neck is lowered either concavely upward, which extends the head and the pupil, either by upward convexity, which is accompanied by the lowering of the head towards the ground or the winding of the head on the neck.

The curves of the different parts of the spine being integral, the attitude of the base of the neckline obtained extends from the head to the tail in the manner of a cervico-lumbar tensor.

Depending on the stimulation organ used, the annoying or unpleasant stimulation can range from a simple touch to the bite, passing through pressure or embracing. It causes the vertebrae considered to recede and rise and consequently modifies the curvature of the spine by correcting the digging. The slope of the horse's back is straightened by the opening of the scapulo-humero-radial articular angles which raises the anterior part of the thorax (tourniquet). The nape of the neck is pushed forward, while the dorsals are pushed back.

By means of the return means, when the base of the neck is beyond (downward convexity) a determined limit position, the stimulation member exerts an annoying or unpleasant stimulation upwards and towards the rear which, by avoidance reaction, leads the horse to step back and straighten the base of its neck (by convexity upwards). This straightening pushes the neck towards the vertical of the mouth, dynamic attitude sought, and the vertebrae towards the back, which flexes the pelvis.

On the contrary, if the horse lowers the head and the neck or rolls it up by lowering it (concavity downwards), it meets the stimulating organ which reproduces its awkward or unpleasant action, which leads it to same avoidance action.

The invention only inciting, without coercion, the horse to take a tense attitude which it adopts of itself in certain occasions such as the alarm, the crossing of a difficult passage or the combat, its action is not accompanied no acrobatic attitude and we understand that, unlike the aforementioned "entanglements", it does not bring any dangerous effect neither for the horse, nor for an inexperienced rider.

According to a first embodiment, advantageously used for working the horse with the loin or in freedom, the apparatus comprises first and second neck sliding members located on either side of the horse’s neck, and between which is placed the stimulation organ. The return means comprise at least one flexible strap, a headrest having first and second head return members respectively placed at each of its lateral ends, a chest return member, and a first and second attachment points d 'shoulder respectively placed on each side of the horse, on a region going from the shoulders to the withers. The strap is connected by a first end to the first shoulder attachment point, passes successively in the first neck sliding member, in the first head recall member, in the chest recall member, in the second head return member, in the second neck sliding member, and is connected to the second shoulder attachment point by its second end.

If two belts are used, they are placed on either side of the neck of the horse are respectively fixed by their first end to the first and second shoulder attachment points and, by their second end, to the point chest fixation.

The various return members can be fixing members or sliding members. In the latter case, the head sliding members can, for example, be constituted by pulleys and the chest sliding member can, for example, be constituted by a ring.

The flexible strap can be formed by a cord or by any other strap made of plastic, leather or elastic material. In this embodiment, the device does not involve any upholstery element other than a surfaix making it possible to attach the shoulder and chest attachment points. This therefore makes it possible to equip the horse with this device in all circumstances, even in a sustainable manner. After a short period of adaptation, the horse will naturally adopt the attitude most comfortable for him, that is to say a target attitude in which the stimulating organ does not hinder him. He can also tilt his head to the side without being bothered by this stimulating organ.

If we want to add a coercive effect, the horse being equipped with a jaw, the flexible belt can be relayed by a first and a second jaw sliding members between the head return members and the body return member. chest.

The stimulating member can be rigid or flexible, and can even possibly be equipped with slightly protruding points in order to cause a stinging sensation if the attitude of the horse deviates too much from the target attitude. In general, a simple strap of leather or other material is sufficient. A first possibility consists in attaching a strap, the length of which can vary between 15 and 25 cm, to the first and second neck sliding members. A second possibility consists in using a strap of a length varying between 70 and 90 cm and in placing it in a triangle by passing it through the first and second neck sliding members and into the chest recall member. In the latter case, it is the upper branch of the strap which constitutes the stimulation organ.

We now present a second embodiment, advantageously used when the horse is mounted. In this case, the horse is provided with guide reins and, according to a first variant, the return means upwards and backwards comprise two straps connected to the reins on either side of the neck of the horse. According to a second variant, the return means comprise two ring loops which separate each rein into two adjustable parts, substantially at the level of the neck of the horse.

The stimulation member consists of at least part of a strap placed across the lower part of the horse's neck and which has fixing means. The greater the tension on the first part of the reins, the more it is exerted on the stimulation organ, which loosens the action on the jaw. The reins are however not deprived of their lateral command effect since each reins, as soon as the other floats, finds a direct coercive effect on the bit.

• la figure 1a montre schématiquement l'attitude corrigée d'un cheval grâce à l'appareil selon l'invention,
• la figure 1b montre schématiquement l'attitude naturelle d'un cheval et son exagération sous le poids du cavalier,
• la figure 2 représente un cheval vu de profil, muni de l'appareil selon un premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 3 illustre une variante de ce premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 4 montre un second mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 5 montre une première variante de ce second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 6 montre une seconde variante,
• la figure 7 montre une troisième variante, et
• la figure 8 représente une quatrième variante.

The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples. The description refers to the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1a schematically shows the corrected attitude of a horse using the apparatus according to the invention,
• FIG. 1b schematically shows the natural attitude of a horse and its exaggeration under the weight of the rider,
• FIG. 2 represents a horse seen in profile, provided with the apparatus according to a first embodiment,
• FIG. 3 illustrates a variant of this first embodiment,
• FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 5 shows a first variant of this second embodiment,
• FIG. 6 shows a second variant,
• FIG. 7 shows a third variant, and
• Figure 8 shows a fourth variant.

FIG. 1a schematically represents a horse in the target attitude A0. It is noted that the last cervical vertebrae and the first dorsal vertebrae are moved back and raised. The overall slope of the horse P0 is substantially horizontal. Figure 1b shows, in solid lines, the horse in its natural attitude A1, in which the back is hollowed out so that, unlike Figure 1a, its spine adopts a generally concave upward position. The slope P1 of this horse is inclined relative to the horizontal downwards and forwards. This figure indicates in broken lines the exaggeration A2 of this position under the effect of the weight of the rider.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the apparatus will now be described. These two figures show a gymnastic and driving harness apparatus for horses which comprises at least one stimulation member 10 placed at the lower part of the neck 5 of the horse and means 12a, 12b, for returning said member upwards and rearward. This stimulation member 10 is intended to exert an annoying stimulation at the lower part of the neck 5 of the horse, in a region going from the third cervical vertebra to the first dorsal vertebra as soon as the attitude of the neck 5 of the horse deviates from a target attitude A0 beyond a determined lower limit.

The figures show a horse seen in profile equipped with the gymnastic harnessing apparatus, it is therefore understood that only one first side of the apparatus is visible. In the following, the "first" various organs or attachment points described will be located on the first side of the horse, while the "second" various organs or fixing points will be located on the second side.

The apparatus comprises first and second members 11 for sliding the neck, located on either side of the neck 5 of the horse. The stimulation member 10 is placed between the first and second neck sliding members 11.

The return means 12a, 12b comprise at least one flexible belt 13, a headrest 14 having first and second head return members 15 respectively placed on each of its lateral ends, a chest return member 17, as well as first and second shoulder attachment points 18, respectively placed on each side of the horse, on a region from the shoulders to the withers. The strap 13 is connected by a first end to the first shoulder attachment point 18, passes successively in the first neck sliding member 11, in the first head recall member 15, and in the neck recall member chest 17. The second side of the horse is not visible, but by symmetry, it is understood that the same strap 13, or another similar strap, fixed to the chest return member, then passes into the second return member head, in the second neck sliding member and is connected to the second shoulder attachment point by its second end.

The return members can be sliding members or fixing members.

The shoulder attachment points 18 can be constituted by a loop placed at the front end of straps which are integral with a surface 19 by their rear end. Similarly, the chest return member can be constituted by a ring secured to the front end of a strap connected to the surface under the chest. If the horse is equipped with a saddle, the strap of this saddle can fulfill the same role as the surfaix 19.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the horse is provided with a jaw the ends of which have first and second jaw sliding members 20. In this variant, the belt 13 passes through the first jaw sliding member 20 between the first head return member 15 and the chest return member 17. On the other side of the horse, it passes through the second jaw sliding member between this chest return member 17 and the second return member of head. In the variant shown in this figure, the head return members, at least, are sliding members.

In these two figures, it can be seen that the stimulation member is constituted by a strap 10 whose ends are respectively fixed to the first and to the second neck sliding members 11.

It will be understood that it is also possible to use a flexible strap 30 of the type shown in FIG. 5. This strap passes through the first and second neck sliding members and into the chest return member 17, which is in this case a sliding member. It is the upper branch 30a of this strap 30 which connects the first and second neck sliding members 11 to one another, which constitutes the stimulation member. As in FIG. 5, the ends of this strap can be joined, but it is also possible to use a strap of the type shown in FIG. 6 by joining their ends to the jaws sliding members 20 represented in FIG. 3.

A second embodiment of the apparatus will now be described, more particularly devoted to the gymnastic training of a mounted horse.

In FIG. 4, the horse is provided with guide reins 22. The upward and rearward return means 23 comprise two straps 24 connected to the reins on either side of the neck 5 of the horse and separating these reins 22 in a first part 22a located on the side of the jaw 26 and in a second part 22b located towards the rider.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate another alternative embodiment of upward and rearward return means 53. In this alternative, the horse being provided with guide reins 52, these return means upwards and towards the rear 53 have first and second loops 54 separating the reins into a first part 52a located on the side of the jaw 26 and into a second part 52b located towards the rider. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the device comprises means 70 for adjusting the length of the two parts of the reins, or at least of their first part, which for example comprise a loop system.

In all these figures, it can be seen that the device comprises a flexible strap, respectively indicated by the references 25, 30, 35 and 65, at least part of which is situated across the lower part of the neck of the horse, between at least part of the return means upwards and backwards. This part constitutes the stimulation organ.

The flexible strap advantageously passes through a first and a second neck sliding members. In FIGS. 5 to 7, it can be seen that these neck sliding members can be formed directly by the loops 54. Thus, the strap 30, 35, 65 passes through the loops 54, or at least in carabiners (not shown) attached to these loops, and slides there freely so that it is the part 30a, 35a, 65a of the strap located between these loops 54 which constitutes the stimulation member.

As these figures indicate, the strap then passes through a chest sliding member 32.

Although Figure 7 shows only one side of the device, it will be understood that the flexible strap 65 passes through the first and second loops 54, possibly via snap hooks, and into the chest sliding member 32.

Figure 6 shows a coercive variant in which the two ends 35b of the strap 35 are connected to the jaw on either side of the horse's mouth. In this figure, the ends 35b of the strap directly connect the jaw to the chest sliding member 32. It is also possible to imagine that the ends of the strap are connected to the jaw by passing again by the neck sliding members c ' that is to say, if necessary, by the loops 54.

Furthermore, as in FIG. 5, the strap 30 can be closed on itself.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment, in which the strap 65 passes through the loops 54, through the chest sliding member 32 and has ends 65b which, on either side of the horse's head, are connected reins 52 on their first part 52a. The connection of the strap on the first part of the reins is done via a connecting member 51, constituted for example by a simple ring. The ring 51 is advantageously slidably mounted on the first part of the reins, and its sliding amplitude can be limited by stop olives 67.

The apparatus may include a flexible strap similar to the strap 30 of FIG. 5 as well as the loops 54 previously mentioned, but have neck sliding devices constituted by two loops dissociated from the loops 54. The return means upwards and towards the rear may also include, on each side of the neck, a return strap fixed by a first end to the first neck sliding member, passing through a first loop 54, and connected to the reins on their first part 52a, for example using the ring 51.

The variants which have just been described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, using a flexible strap arranged in a triangle between neck sliding members and a chest sliding member, have the advantage of not hindering lateral guidance. of the horse by the action of the reins on the bit. Indeed, if we want to guide the horse to the first side, it suffices to pull the rein from this first side, by releasing the other rein which has the effect of sliding the strap in the different sliding members, by shortening the strap section between the chest sliding member and the second neck sliding member and lengthening the other sections.

FIG. 8 shows a variant which uses a stimulation member 75, similar to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, designated in these figures by the reference 10. Each rein 72 is divided into two parts 72a and 72b by a ring 74. The length of the front part 72a can be adjusted using an adjustment loop 71. The ring 74 is fixed and acts as a front stop for a sliding ring 76.

On each side of the neck, the means 73 for returning upwards and backwards comprise a flexible belt 78, the sliding ring 76 and an upper fixed point 80, substantially located at the withers. This upper fixed point is for example constituted by a fixed ring connected to the saddle, the surfaix or to a neck bridge.

The belt 78 passes successively in the sliding ring 76, in the neck sliding member 77 and through the upper fixed point 80. The length of this belt can be adjusted using an adjustment loop 81.

In FIG. 8, the ends of the belt 78 are respectively fixed to the sliding ring 76 and to the upper fixed point 80.

To obtain a double pulley effect, it is also possible to adopt a slightly different variant, consisting in fixing the first end of the belt to the sliding ring 76, and passing it successively through the member 77 and through the ring 80 , before bringing it back to the member 77 to fix its second end there or to make it join the second end similar flexible strap, located on the other side of the neck, and to fix it to the latter.

According to another embodiment not shown, intended to be used on a horse provided with guide reins, the apparatus comprises a flexible strap whose two ends are connected to the reins on either side of the neck, and whose the middle part forms a loop intended to be passed around the neck of the horse, and crossed on the lower part of this neck to make the stimulation organ.

Claims (14)

Gymnastic and driving harness apparatus for horses, characterized in that it comprises at least one stimulation member (10, 25, 30a, 35a, 65a, 75) placed at the lower part of the neck (5) of the horse and means (12a, 12b, 23, 53, 73) for returning said organ upwards and backwards, said organ being intended to exert an annoying stimulation at the lower part of the neck (5) of the horse, in a region from the third cervical vertebra to the first dorsal vertebra, as soon as the attitude of the horse's head (6) and neck (5) deviates from a target attitude (A0) beyond of a determined lower limit. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first and a second member (11) for sliding the neck located on either side of the neck (5) of the horse, the stimulation member ( 10, 30a) being placed between said first and second neck sliding members (11),
in that the return means (12a, 12b) comprise at least one flexible belt (13), a headrest (14) having first and second head return members (15) respectively placed on each of its lateral ends, a chest recall member (17), and a first and a second shoulder attachment point (18) respectively placed on each side of the horse, on a region going from the shoulders to the withers, and
in that said strap (13) is connected by a first end to the first shoulder attachment point (18), passes successively in the first neck sliding member (11), in the first head recall member ( 15), in the chest return member (17), in the second head return member, in the second neck sliding member, and is connected to the second shoulder attachment point by its second end. Apparatus according to claim 2, intended for use on a horse provided with a jaw whose ends have first and second jaw sliding members (20), characterized in that the belt (13) passes through the first member jaw slide (20) between the first head return member (15) and the chest return member (17), and in the second jaw slide member between said chest return member and the second member head reminder. Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the stimulation member consists of a strap (10) whose ends are respectively fixed to the first and second neck sliding members (11). Apparatus according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it comprises a flexible strap (30) passing through the first and second neck sliding members (11) and into the chest recall member ( 17), the upper branch (30a) of said strap (30) connecting together the first and second neck sliding members (11) constituting said stimulation member. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes first and second neck sliding members (77) located on either side of the horse's neck, between which the stimulation member is placed (75),
in that, on each side of the neck, the return means (73) comprise a flexible belt (78), a sliding ring (76) and an upper fixed point (80), substantially located at the withers,
in that said belt (78) is connected to the sliding ring (76), passes through a neck sliding member (77) and is connected to the upper fixed point (80), and
in that it comprises front stop means (74) of the sliding ring (76). Apparatus according to claim 1, intended for use on a horse provided with guide reins (22), characterized in that the upward and rearward return means comprise two straps (24) connected to the reins on the side and on the other side of the neck (5) of the horse and separating said reins (22) into a first part (22a) situated on the side of the jaw (26) and into a second part (22b) situated towards the rider. Apparatus according to claim 1, intended for use on a horse provided with guide reins (52, 72), characterized in that the upward and rearward return means (53, 73) comprise a first and a second loops (54, 74) separating each rein in a first part (52a, 72a) located on the side of the jaw (26) and in a second part (52b, 72b) located towards the rider. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the length of the two parts (22a, 22b; 52a, 52b; 72a, 72b) of each rein (22; 52; 72) is adjustable. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a flexible strap (25, 30, 35, 65, 75) of which at least a part (25, 30a, 35a, 65a, 75) is located across the lower part of the horse's neck, between at least part of the upward and rearward biasing means (23, 53, 73) and constitutes said stimulation organ. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the return means (53) comprise a first and a second neck sliding member (54) placed on either side of the neck (5) of the horse, and a chest sliding member (32) placed on the horse's chest, and
in that the flexible strap (30, 35, 65) passes through said first and second neck sliding member (54) and through said chest sliding member (32). Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the two ends (35b) of the strap (35) are connected to the jaw (26) on either side of the horse's mouth. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that, on either side of the horse's head, the ends (65b) of the strap (65) are connected to the reins, on their first part ( 52a). Apparatus according to claim 1, intended for use on a horse provided with guide reins, characterized in that it comprises a flexible strap whose two ends are connected to the reins on either side of the neck (5) and the middle part of which forms a loop intended to be passed around the neck of the horse and crossed on the lower part of said neck to form the stimulation member.

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