GB2143132A - Equine bit for administering liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

In administering a liquid into the mouth of a horse a bit is inserted into the mouth in the position normally occupied by a conventional bit, and liquid is ejected generally laterally therefrom so as to pass into the mouth. The bit has a body 1 which carries or serves as a container for liquid, and the container has outlet openings 10 which direct the liquid generally laterally therefrom when pressure is applied to the liquid, e.g. as by means of a manually-operable piston 9 or plunger. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Equine Bit This invention relates to a bit device similar to a conventional bit forming part of the equipment of horses and other harnessed draught and riding animals, hereinafter referred to generically as "horses".

It can become necessary, for veterinary and dietary reasons, to administer a liquid treating agent such as a medicament into the horses's mouth. Hitherto this has tended to be carried out by simple squirting of the liquid generally into the mouth, and has tended to be a somewhat hit-andmiss operation, due to difficulties of getting the mouth open, keeping the head still, and avoiding overshooting of the liquid so that it simply emerges at the other side of the mouth. In particular, where a syringe or the like is used for the purpose, it is found that the horse may be unsettled by the appearance of a strange object so near to its head, and may become considerable more difficult to handle and hold still temporarily whilst the liquid is administered.

It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide a method of administering a liquid to a horse in the mouth, and a bit device for carrying out that method, by which administration is made a much simpler and surer operation.

According to the present invention a method of administering a liquid into the mouth of a horse comprises steps of (i) inserting into the mouth of the horse a bit device having a container for the liquid, (ii) charging the liquid into the container, (iii) whilst the container with liquid therein is in the mouth of the horse, expelling the liquid in a generally lateral direction from the container into the mouth of the horse, steps (i) and (ii) being carried out in either order.

In a preferred method, the bit device precharged with the liquid is inserted into the mouth of the horse.

The container may have a removable or rupturable ejection seal, and a further step may be the removal or rupture of the seal prior to placing the container in the mouth of the horse.

The container may further have a removable or rupturable closure for an entry the introduction of means for expelling the liquid or for feeding liquid to the container, and a further step may be the removal or rupture of the entry closure, prior to or after placing the container in the mouth of the horse.

Further according to the invention a bit device for use in administering a liquid into the mouth of a horse has a body which serves as or comprises a container for liquid, the container having outlet means which are generally laterally directed therefrom, and means for the application of pressure or feeding of pressure fluid or the liquid to the container to expel liquid generally laterally from the container.

The container may have rupturable or removable sealing means for its outlet means, and in a preferred form such sealing means is an adherent strip which covers outlet openings in the container and which can be stripped off manually at the time of use.

The container may have removable or rupturable closure means for an entry for the introduction of means for expelling liquid from the container or for feeding liquid or pressure to the container. In a preferred form, such expelling means is a piston, cooperating with the container forming a cylinder, and operable manually from the exterior for expelling the liquid from the container.

Where the container serves as a cylinder receiving a piston, an end wall of the container may be removable, e.g. as by un-screwing it, for access to the interior of the cylinder.

The bit may have means for attachement to the usual portions of saddlery such as the bridle or headstrap, and where such means may be apertured lugs extending generally laterally from the body at or near each end of it. Where one end portion of the body is removable, that portion may carry one such lug.

The bit device may have locating arms extending generally laterally from the body at or adjacent each end, to abut against the outside of the mouth, at each side, and serve to centre the bit device in the mouth of the horse.

In order that the nature of the invention may be readily ascertained, two embodiments of bit device and their manner of use in accordance with the invention are hereinafter particularly described with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of bit device, with part shown in section to reveal internal construction; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment with parts shown in separated condition.

Referring to Figure 1, the bit device comprises a tubular body 1 of a length and diameter suitable for introduction into the mouth of the horse as a substitute for a conventional bit. The body is generally cylindrical and has its internal cavity 2 closed off at one end by an integral plug 3. At the other end, the body 1 is internally threaded as at 4 to receive a corresponding thread 5 on a removable end plug 6. The end plug 6 is apertured centrally at 7 to provide a sliding guide for a piston rod 8 connected to a piston 9 slidable within the body 1 and forming a relatively fluidtight seal therewith. Any convenient form of packing, such as an O-ring (not shown) may be provided externally on the piston 9 to form a better seal with the body 1.

At intervals along the body 1 there are provided outlet openings 10 for the liquid contents of the body 1. To retain the liquid in the body prior to use of the device, the holes 10 may be covered by a removable adhesive tear-off strip 11, which may conveniently carry an indication of the medicament, quantity of contents, dosage, maker's name etc.

At each end of the body 1, when the end plug 6 has been screwed home, there is provided a lug 1 2 having an aperture 13 to receive the usual bridle or headstrap (not shown). Also at each end of the body 1 there is mounted a locating arm 14 and, when in use, these arms 14 abut at each side of the mouth of the horse and serve to retain the bit device axially in the correct position relative to the mouth.

In operation, the body 1 is filled with the liquid to be administered, for example by withdrawing the piston 9 to the required extent, whilst the body is immersed in the liquid. The device may then be simply fitted in position in the mouth with the holes 10 at the top of the body to prevent spillage, or a sealing strip 11 may be applied over the holes. With the bit device in position in the mouth, the piston 9 is pushed in, by use of the plunger knob 1 5, and the contents of the body 1 are sprayed into the mouth through the holes 10.

As the bit device is correctly placed within the mouth, all of the liquid to be administered is properly received in the mouth and thus the full dose administered in a secure and certain manner.

Referring now to the construction shown in Figure 2, which might conveniently be made of a suitable plastics material, the body 1a has holes 1 Oa as before. One end of the internal cavity of the body is bounded by an end wall 1 5 secured in any convenient manner. Harness lugs 12a with apertures 1 3a are provided as permanent fixtures at each of the body. Also secured at each end of the body are locating arms 1 4a for the purpose described.

A piston or plunger 1 6 is in the form of a first end disc 1 7 and a second end disc 1 8 connected intermediately by walls 19 at right angles. The whole of the plunger 1 6 is a close sliding fit in the exterior of the body 1 a, and peripheral sealing means (not shown) may be provided on the disc 17, or on the disc 17 and 18, if desired. In use, the device is secured in the mouth of the horse by attachment of the bridle or headstrap to the lugs 1 2a. The body 1 a may already be charged with liquid, and may thus have the plunger 16 already engaged partially into one end, and further the holes 10 may be sealed by a tear-off strip. The plunger 1 6 is then actuated to force the liquid out through the holes 10 into the mouth.The body 1 a may further include a rupturable, or slidable, wall 20 which for storage and transportation serves to provide a liquid-tight seal of the adjacent end of the body, but which can be ruptured, or pushed along the inside of the body, by the plunger 16 at the time of use.

It will be appreciated that the bit need not have the body 1 or 1 a included integrally and permanently in it, and that the bit may thus provide a trough or frame carrying the lugs 12 or 1 2a and the arms 14 or 1 4a, this trough or frame receiving a removable body equivalent to the portion 1 or 1 a and containing the piston 9 or the plunger 1 6 as the case may be. Thus, such a separate body may be provided commercially as a separate ampoule-like structure sealed out ready for use and containing a precisely measured dosage of the liquid to be administered.

It will further be appreciated that the piston 9 or plunger 1 6 may be omitted, and the open end or another inlet opening of the body may be attached to, or have means for attachment to, a feeding means such as syringe or a source of liquid under pressure, e.g. a hose on a storage container provided with a manually-operable pump.

Claims (14)

1. A method, of administering a liquid into the mouth of a horse, comprising steps of: (i) inserting into the mouth of the horse a bit device having a container for the liquid, (ii) charging the liquid into the container, (iii) whilst the container with the liquid therein is in the mouth of the horse, expelling the liquid in a generally lateral direction from the container into the mouth of the horse, steps (i) and (ii) above being carried out in either order.

2. The method claimed in Claim 1 wherein the bit device pre-charged with liquid is inserted into the mouth of the horse.

3. The method claimed in either of Claims 1 and 2 comprising the further step of removing or rupturing an ejection seal prior to placing the container in the mouth of the horse.

4. The method claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising the further step of removing or rupturing an inlet closure.

5. A bit device suitable for use in carrying out the method claimed in Claim 1 having a body which serves as or comprises a container for liquid, said container having outlet means which are generally laterally directed therefrom, and means for the application of pressure or feeding of pressure fluid or the liquid to the container to expel liquid generally laterally from the container.

6. A bit device, as claimed in Claim 5, comprising rupturable or removable sealing means for said outlet means.

7. A bit device, as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said sealing means is an adherent strip positioned to cover outlet openings in the container and which can be stripped off manually at the time of use.

8. A bit device, as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 7, comprising an entry for the introduction of means for expelling liquid from the container or for feeding pressure fluid to the container, and a removable or rupturable closure means for said entry.

9. A bit device, as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said expelling means is a piston cooperating with the container forming a cylinder, said piston being operable manually from the exterior for expelling the liquid from the container.

10. A bit device, as claimed in Claim 9, wherein an end wall of the container is removable for access to the interior.

11. A bit device, as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 11, comprising means for the attachment of a portion of saddlery.

1 2. A bit device, as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said attachment means are apertured lugs extending generally laterally from the body at or near each end of it.

1 3. A bit device, as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 12, comprising locating arms extending generally laterally from the body at or adjacent each end.

14. The method of administering a liquid into the mouth of a horse substantially as described herein.

1 5. A bit device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.