GB2279546A

GB2279546A - Combination saddle and saddle cover

Info

Publication number: GB2279546A
Application number: GB9308595A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sally Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-04-26
Filing date: 1993-04-26
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-26
Also published as: GB2279546B; GB9308595D0

Abstract

A combination of a saddle for a horse 1 and saddle-cover 2 wherein the saddle-cover 2 comprises three pockets 4, 5 into which material can be placed to alter the shape of the saddle cover (Fig. 2), one pocket 5 being placed to the rear of the cover 2 so that it would be behind a rider in the saddle and two pockets 4 being located to the front of the saddle, one on each side thereof, so that each side pocket would be in front of the legs of a rider in the saddle. The saddle can be used for dual purposes eg. jumping and dressage. <IMAGE>

Description

Entitled: Combination of Saddle and Saddle Cover This invention relates to saddles for horses. Saddles for horses are very expensive items costing at the present time several hundred pounds.

However depending on the type of riding the rider wishes to perform different shape saddles are required. For example the saddle required for jumping is different to the saddle required for dressage wherein the rider must adopt a straight back posture and a longer straighter leg position.

I have discovered a means of converting a horse's saddle so that it can be used for a variety of riding tasks.

Therefore according to the present invention there is provided a combination of a saddle for a horse and a saddle-cover wherein the saddle-cover comprises three pockets into which material can be placed to alter the shape of the saddle cover, one pocket being placed to the rear of the saddle-cloth so that it would be behind a rider in the saddle and one pocket being located to the front of the saddle on each side thereof so that each side pocket would be in front of the legs of a rider in the saddle.

When it is required that the horse is to be used for jumping the combination of saddle and saddle-cover is used with no material in the pockets so that the riders legs can hang freely and the riders' back posture is not regulated. However when it is required that the horse is to be used for dressage the combination of saddle and saddle cover is used with material both in the rear position pocket and in both of the forward position pockets. This ensures that the riders back assumes an upright position and that the riders legs can not slip forward during the dressage schooling.

Preferably an additional pocket is provided on the top of the saddle cover. When filled this provides a softer seat for the rider. Rubber or synthetic foam is a suitable filler for this pocket. Usually this pocket is always filled with foam.

It is to be understood that the stirrups for the horse are attached in the usual way to the saddle by stirrup leathers but the stirrup leather covers are exposed via two slots on either side of the saddle cover so that the stirrup leathers with the stirrups attached lie on the outside of the saddle cover. Thus the lengths of the stirrup leathers can be adjusted in the usual way.

The saddle-covers must be manufactured to fit exactly the saddle which they cover. Preferably each saddle cover comprises a downwardly extending flange to fit over the upraised rear position of the saddle to prevent the saddle cover from slipping off the saddle during a ride.

The material of the saddle-cover may be any hard-wearing but flexible material but is usually a cloth material such as a hard-wearing linen, woollen material or a synthetic fibre-wool mixture. Preferably the pockets which can be filled with material are located on the outside of the saddle-cover so that the shape of the saddle-cover can be changed without having to remove the saddle-cover.

The saddle and saddle-cover of the present invention is of particular use when a child is to be the rider. In this case it is usual to fill the pockets in the saddle cover similarly to that used in the dressage condition to force the child to adopt a position in which the horse can be controlled without having to exert pressure on the horse using knees and thighs, and to provide a supportive posture. Depending on the age of the child more or less material can be inserted in the pockets of the saddle-cover.

The material to be placed in the pockets can be any fairly bulky material and more preferably a material which does not absorb water such as kapok.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate the invention.

Figure 1. is a perspective view of a leather saddle 1 covered with a woollen material cover 2 with nothing in the pockets 4 and 5.

Figure 2 shows the same leather saddle 1 covered with the same woollen cover 2 but in this case both pockets 4 on each side of the saddle cover 2 (only one pocket 4 can be seen in this view) and the end pocket 5 have been filled with a bulky material. The saddle and saddle-covers in fig.

2 is of use in dressage schooling or for teaching children to ride.

Referring in detail to the two figs. wherein the same numbers have the same signification a leather saddle 1 is covered by a saddle-cover 2. A front pocket 4 (which is duplicated on the other side of the saddle-cover is shown in Fig 1 in outline and in Fig 2 as a raised mound. A rear pocket 5 is shown in outline in fig 1 and as a pronounced mound 7 in Fig 2. Thus this raised mound 7 in fig 2 forms with the top surface pocket 6 of the saddle-cover 2 a well softened with foam in which the riders sits. The mound 7 prevents the rider from slouching backwards.

Conveniently one edge of each pocket 4, 5 and 6 has a Velcrolfastening to enable the pocket to be filled with material or for material to be removed therefrom.

Also shown in both figs is the downwardly extending flange 8 on the saddle-cover 2. This flange covers the raised end 9 of the saddle 1 and locates and keeps the saddle cover in position on the saddle.

Also shown in each fig. is the stirrup leather cover 10 which protrudes through a slot 11 in the saddle cover 2. Located in the saddle cover 10 is a buckle 12 which can be adjusted to alter the length of each stirrup leather 13 to which is attached a stirrup 14. In fig 1 a shortened stirrup leather length is shown which is usual for jumping. There is no material in any of the pocket 4 and 5. This enables the rider to ride with a shorter stirrup leather and more forward into the jumping position.

The long-length saddle leather position is shown in fig 2. In this case the filled pockets 4 and 5 urge the rider into the correct position in which the riders knees and thighs are stretched down. This is important when teaching a child to ride as the altered shape of the saddle-cover and hence in effect the saddle gives the child confidence and balance with the horse. Later when the childs confidence has increased and it has learned to stretch its knees and thighs down and back correctly the material can be removed from pockets 4 and 5.

Claims

Claims:

1. A combination of a saddle for a horse and a saddle-cover wherein the saddle-cover comprises three pockets into which material can be placed to alter the shape of the saddle cover, one pocket being placed to the rear of the saddle-cloth so that it would be behind a rider in the saddle and one pocket being located to the front of the saddle on each side thereof so that each side pocket would be in front of the legs of a rider in the saddle.

2. A combination according to claim 1 which comprises an additional pocket on the top of the saddle cover which can be filled with foam material.