GB2231766A

GB2231766A - Combined bridle and headcollar

Info

Publication number: GB2231766A
Application number: GB8911641A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Ainsworth Redfern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-05-20
Filing date: 1989-05-20
Publication date: 1990-11-28
Also published as: GB8911641D0

Abstract

A combined bridle and headcollar comprises two elements: the first is a headcollar and the second is a bridle, incorporating a headpiece 5 and cheekpiece 6 and a browband 7 having at either end a buckled loop 8. The second element is buckled to the first by means of the browband buckles 9 to form a bridle. <IMAGE>

Description

COMBINED BRIDLE AND HEADCOLLAR This invention relates to a combined bridle and headcollar.

A headcollar is normally used when leading a horse by means of a lead rope which is clipped to a ring at the jowl of the headcollar. A bridle, used when riding, has the principal function of retaining the bit, to the rings of which the reins are fitted.

The headcollar and the bridle are two separate pieces of tack.

In use, either the headcollar is removed before the bridle is fitted; or, if a webbing headcollar is used, the bridle may be fitted over the headcollar. The former method is tedious and may be hazardous owing to the lack of any means of control at the time of the change, particularly if the horse is in unfamiliar surroundings or is otherwise excited. The latter method is less unsatisfactory functionally but often gives an untidy appearance. Neither is a good method, but both are commonly used because no more satisfactory method has been available.

The present invention provides a means of overcoming this problem. There is a headcollar element incorporating a noseband, noseband headpiece and cheekpiece, a separate throat latch and a jowl with a ring. The second element incorporates a headpiece and cheekpiece to which the bit is fitted,' and a browband. At either end of the browband there is a strap secured by a buckle (or by a spring clip or a press stud), to form a loop which retains the noseband headpiece and the throat latch; within the buckled loop there is a fixed loop which retains the bit headpiece. The buckle (or other fixing as described) is at the forward edge of its loop, and the fixed loop is secured behind the buckle.

The first element above is used when a headcollar is required; addition of the second element, fixed by means of the browband buckles, converts it into a bridle which is identical in function with a conventional bridle.

An example of the invention is described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the headcollar element.

Figure 2 shows the second element which incorporates the browband.

Figure 3 shows the detail of one end of the browband (that at the near side) with the buckle closed.

Figure 4 shows the same as Figure 3 but with the buckle open.

The combined bridle and headcollar comprises two elements.

The headcollar element, illustrated in Figure 1, is similar in form to a conventional headcollar except that the throat latch 1 is a separate strap held in place under the noseband headpiece 2 by a large running loop 3 at either side. The buckle 4 on the throat latch is used to secure the headcollar element in place.

The second element, illustrated in Figure 2, comprises a headpiece 5 and cheekpiece 6 to which the bit is fitted, and a browband 7. At either end of the browband there is a strap 8, secured by a buckle 9 to form a loop which retains the noseband headpiece 2 and the throat latch 1; within the buckled loop there is a fixed loop 10 which retains the bit headpiece 5. The buckle is at the forward edge of its loop, and the fixed loop is secured behind the buckle.

In use, the headcollar element is fitted to the horse's head and secured in place by means of the throat latch buckle, so that the horse can be led, and tied up. Later, when it is desired to ride, the second element is fitted and the strap at either end of the browband is taken round the noseband headpiece and the throat latch, and buckled in place. The second element can be fitted without untying the lead rope.

After riding, the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence to remove first the second element and secondly the headcollar element.

Claims

1. A combined bridle and headcollar in two elements: the first element, forming the headcollar, comprising a noseband, a noseband headpiece and cheekpiece, a separate throat latch, and a jowl with a ring; and the second element, addition of which converts the whole into a bridle, comprising a bit headpiece and cheekpiece, and a browband.

2. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 having a buckle at either end of the browband.

3. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 having a spring clip at either end of the browband.

4. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 having a press stud at either end of the browband.

5. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 having a fixed loop at either end of the browband lying within the fold of a strap fastened by means of a buckle.

6. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3 having a fixed loop at either end of the browband lying within the fold of a strap fastened by means of a spring clip.

7. A combined bridle and headcollar as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 4 having a fixed loop at either end of the browband lying within the fold of a strap fastened by means of a press stud.

8. A combined bridle and headcollar substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.