GB2346535A

GB2346535A - Apparatus to reduce weaving in animals

Info

Publication number: GB2346535A
Application number: GB9901658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sally Joanna Emms
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-01-27
Filing date: 1999-01-27
Publication date: 2000-08-16
Also published as: GB9901658D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises at least one member (10) which in use is positioned adjacent the animal's head. The member (10) dispenses a reaction inducing agent to the animal to reduce its tendency to weave. Activation of a member (10) causes the agent, which can be water, to be dispensed by impact from the animal's neck or head with the member. The agent may be dispensed from the member (10) via one or more apertures (12) in the member (10). The member may have a handle (11) which may be used to suspend the member above the lower gate in a stable.

Description

APPARATUS TO REDUCE WEAVING IN ANIMALS Field of the Invention The invention relates to the tendency of some animals, particularly horses, to weave.

Background to the Invention After the end of their working life, many horses often develop a habit known as weaving. This is simply where the horse moves its head and neck from side to side in a rhythmic fashion. Although this does not cause the horse any physical harm, it is normally an undesirable characteristic for the horse to have. It is further undesirable because when such a horse is stabled with others, they often copy, and begin themselves, to weave. Many stable owners therefore ban such horses from their stables.

A specially designed gate for a stable is sometimes used to prevent weaving, the gate having a V-shaped opening through which the horse puts its head to look out of the stable, but the size of which opening substantially prevents the head and neck from lateral motion. However, at present no way is known to reduce or stop the weaving habit.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a weaving deterrent apparatus comprising at least one member operably positioned adjacent an animal's head or neck, the member having means for dispensing a reaction inducing agent to the animal, the agent causing the animal to be deterred from impacting against the member, thereby reducing the weaving tendency of the animal without use of a physical restraint.

The means for dispensing the reaction inducing agent are preferably activated when the animal impacts the member or approches closer than a predetermined distance from the member.

The reaction inducing agent is preferably water.

The or each member is preferably capable of containing the reaction inducing agent, and additionally comprises one or more apertures through which the agent can be released. Advantageously, the member comprises more than one aperture.

The member is advantageously provided with a fluorescent coating.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided weaving reduction apparatus comprising at least one member, operably positioned adjacent an animal's head, the mass of the member being sufficient to deter the animal from impacting against the member, without physcially restraining the animal.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of deterring an animal from weaving, wherein at least one member is operably positioned adjacent an animal's head or neck, the member having means for dispensing a reaction inducing agent to the animal, the agent causing the animal to be deterred from impacting against the member thereby reducing the weaving tendency of the animal without use of physical restraint.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings where: Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a receptacle; Figure 2 shows a section through line A-A of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Invention In Figure 1, an embodiment of a member in the form of a receptacle used to discourage a horse from weaving is shown. A hollow sphere 10, formed from a rigid plastic has moulded handle 11, integral with the sphere 10. A number of circular holes 12, are also formed in the surface of the sphere 10, connecting the interior of the sphere 10 with the outside. The holes 12, are positioned about 2/3rds of the way of the sphere 10, taking the handle 11 to be at the top.

In Figure 2, the interior wall 20, which defines the spherically shaped interior of the sphere 10 can be seen. The wall 21 of the sphere 10 is of sufficient thickness to retain any contents of the sphere 10 when in use. Handle 11, is solid. The holes 12, through the wall 21, allow for example, liquid to be put into and removed from the inside of the sphere. In use, string is passed and secured through the handle 11. Using the string the hollow sphere 10 is then suspended above the lower gate of a horse's stable. The position above the stable door is such that when the horse looks over the door, the bottom of the sphere 10 will be to one side of the horse's neck just below the height of the mane. The second sphere will usually be suspended in a similar position on the other side of the horse's neck, the gap between the spheres being about 45 cm. Water is then poured into the spheres and maintained such that when knocked, a small amount will come out of the holes. When the spheres are positioned correctly, the weaving motion of the horse will cause it to knock against the sphere, causing water to spill onto its head and neck via the holes 12 in the sphere. The minor discomfort caused to the horse, stimulates it to reduce or stop its weaving motion after a period of time.

A number of alternative embodiments of the invention may be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention.

The receptacle will usually be formed from plastic, although a metal or a ceramic can be used. It can either be made of a rigid material, or it can also be contemplated that it is made of a readily deformable material, in which case contact by the horse would deform the receptacle and the squeezing action could cause the water to exit via the holes onto the horse.

The fluid could exit via one or more holes in the receptacle, the number and size of the holes depending on how much fluid needs to be released, which itself depends on the size of the animal. The holes could also be situated on protrusions on the member to allow fluid to be directed in the direction desired.

The receptacle can be either entirely closed, except for the fluid exit holes, or altematively it could have an opening at one end to allow for it to be easily refilled when necessary.

The receptacle will normally additionally comprise a handle by which it may be carried from one location to another, or suspended in position. The handle may be permanently attached to or integrally formed with the main body of the receptacle.

Alternatively, it may be detachable.

The receptacle can be suspended using conventional means, such as string or wire, with quick release catches being optionally used at the ends to allow the member to be taken down to be refilled with fluid or to be cleaned.

The whole or part of the member or apparatus can be coloured. It has been found advantageous if a part or all of it is coloured blue, to help distinguish and locate it in the stable or yard where it is used or stored. Alternatively and additionally a part or all of it can be made fluorescent to assist those in the stable in seeing it when light is poor.

The number of members used will usually depend on the size of the gap through which the horse can look.

It can be envisaged that a stable which expects to stable weaving horses on a regular basis could arrange for the reaction inducing agent to be available on permanent supply, and additionally the member could be automatically filled with replacement agent. For example, where water is the agent, then the member could be permanently plumbed in to the mains, with an automatic system for refilling it, similar to that used in a conventional water cistern.

In addition to the receptacles being suspended, provision could also be made for them to be supported from a stand fixed either to the floor, or to the lower half of the stable door.

The deterrent administered to the horse must obviously be of a sufficient size to encourage it to reduce its tendency to weave, whilst not being so large that it startles it unduly or causes the animal harm. Although the deterrent will normally be water, it could also be for example a jet of air. It could also be sound or a mild electric shock. In some cases it could simply be the physical shock of the horse contacting a part of the apparatus. This could be brought about by the object being heavy, or having one or more sharp or pointed edges or protrusions.

Although administration of the reaction inducing agent will normally be activated by impact of the horse upon a physical part of the member, it could also be caused by the horse nearing or getting to within a certain distance of the member. In this case, activation could occur through, for example, the animal crossing a beam of light.

Although the apparatus and method can be adapted for use in stables, it may also be used whilst, for example, the horse is grazing in a field. In this case the object or receptacle could be attached via supports, to a collar, band or other equipment fitted to the horse. Support could be provided by a stick, or by rigid or partially flexible wire directly fixed to the collar. Alternatively, it could be provided by means of string or flexible wire which string or wire is itself attached to a more rigid support as described above. The object or receptacle here may be any of those described elsewhere in the description.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A weaving deterrent apparatus comprising at least one member operably positioned adjacent an animal's head or neck, the or at least one of the members having means for dispensing a reaction inducing agent to the animal, the agent causing the animal to be deterred from subsequently impacting against the member, thereby reducing the weaving tendency of the animal without use of a physical restraint.
2. A deterrent apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for dispensing the reaction inducing agent is activated when the animal impacts the member or approaches closer than a predetermined distance from the member
3. A deterrent apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reaction inducing agent is a liquid
4. A deterrent apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the or each member contains a charge of the reaction inducing agent
5. A deterrent apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each member comprises one or more apertures through which the agent can be released
6. A deterrent apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member has a fluorescent coating.
7. A weaving reduction apparatus comprising at least one member operably positioned adjacent an animal's head or neck, the mass of the or at least one of the members being sufficient to deter the animal from impacting against the member, without physically restraining the animal.
8. A method of deterring an animal from weaving, the method including operably positioning at least one member adjacent an animal's head or neck and charging at least one member with a reaction inducing agent, the or at least one of the members having means for dispensing the agent, causing the animal to be deterred from subsequently impacting against the member, thereby reducing the weaving tendency of the animal without use of physical restraint.
9. A wearing deterrent apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings
10. A method of deterring an animal from weaving substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.