GB2477579A

GB2477579A - Training equipment for horse riding

Info

Publication number: GB2477579A
Application number: GB1003642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Luke William Bland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-07
Filing date: 2010-03-05
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2030-03-05
Also published as: GB0919552D0; US20110217682A1; GB2477579B; GB201003642D0; GB201001964D0

Abstract

Training equipment for horse riding comprising a wide base support B and an inflatable object. The wide base support may have curved runners. The inflatable object may be a ball or other shapes such as a cylinder or cylindrical octagon. The inflatable object is put on a wide base, which moves in multiple ways on runners B. The inflatable is unstable and allows the user to sit, bounce or try and balance. Preferably the height of the equipment is adjustable and may be telescopic. Optionally the base may have a supportive framework that fits closely to the inflatable ball and connects with it , the curved framework encourages the ball to remain central on the framework.

Description

DESCRIPTION

EQUIPMENT THAT IS A SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN TO TRAThI AND PRACTISE HOW TO

RIDE

I am employed in Healthcare as a Physical Therapist and a bit of my time is seeing all ages with some sort of motor power loss and requiring help. That is the problem; a lack of motor power and many are young children that need help. During rehabilitation, on many occasions with walking problems, foot injuries and also disabilities, the patient needs help to start regaining control. I came up with a way of rehabilitating difficult injuries and built a successful walking and foot rehabilitation unit. I realised that potentially a ball on a supported base would be great and people tell me from the start that it helps. Very clearly, I was surprised, that sitting on in effect an inflatable ball supported above a big base to stabilise (reference B), was allowing more action and to see the natural pattern of movement. I have done training programmes, for example, that were quite good and everyone finds these the best way of helping them and enjoy it. The small inflatable ball, (reference D -gym balls are wrong), and its positioning of it on a base, enabling children to play games and move easily as well as to be as positive as possible, actually helps them for years. They use it by either sitting down or standing with their legs back, positioned over the unit and they feel: a) protected from falling on their face or flat on their back b) able to swing their legs(figure 5), as well as allowing them touch the floor with their toes c) comfortable and content d) amuzed and interested e) able to change their position and to move their bodies f) freedom Their weak muscles are strengthened, they build up and they are able to cope with movements used in their daily life. Teaching them for hours is stimulating their motor function without panic of not being able to stay upright. The effect on children is that they love it and try. Conventional equipment is too intense or too abstract in motion.

The first stage in the process of arriving at this, was starting training the childrens' bodies, without drugs, to help slowly build as well as behave with the right movements, pain-free. They can do lots using the unit and it's very supportive in treatment. It's the kind way to have a go at waking and it doesn't hurt before being able to get up while only being able to sit on the bed and is needed for a few days. It also allows no problems in getting into the ultimate position when trying to manoeuvre. It is a healthy way of starting to position the legs where they are meant to be almost instantly and easily. At the moment, it's a solution for children from 5 years old upwards, who need to retain or strengthen weak legs or body. Events unfolded and I advanced the idea as I knew how quickly patients developed.

It's very difficult to use generic rehabilitation equipment after years, they don't work, and results have been down over a period of years using them, so I did suggest using this as a walking and foot rehabilitation option. Everything works because there is considerable complexity ofjoint movement in controlling the lower limbs.

I was surprised when suddenly, I realised that one way of another, the sensation of what I had created would work, I think, to develop aspects of riding musculature for children that grow quickly and continued to use it in relation to children eager to learn about horse riding. At this stage I understood the physical reactions. I spent a considerable amount of time with children trying to learn to ride and they responded quite well, going on to improve. I also would suggest to all children starting to ride tiying that this unit as a good way to help learning getting into position and

I

it was successful, for the long term. I have experimented and worked earlier this year on creating a unit to toughen up individuals and using it to help to build motor control. This unit is the solution for actually improving the exact riding techniques and I have found that the effect really enables children to naturally hold a strong riding posture and to start to ride. The results and changes were frankly beyond my expectations.

I do think this is a wonderful way of introducing this traditional activity, which requires expert training techniques, and training with this invention is isolating and recruiting muscles important for controlling tougher motor movements used in riding and it works. This unit is the best for training motor messages transmission, reflexes and muscles all essential for horse riding.

In summary, I'd describe the unit as an opportunity to get a steady riding position and to work hard improving riding quickly. The effect of quick strengthening can help riding, as it's a difficult task in the beginning. Technically speaking, the unit is a small inflatable (average size measurement 30cm diameter) that is elevated up high and its supported on a wide base as a single unit (figure 6). The wide base has curved runners (reference B) that are made of strong tubular steel so that it moves in multiple ways but is designed not to tip over. As you can see, it has no saddle.

References 0 are the supports on both sides. Pivotal shafts (reference I) connect and link the 2 supports (reference G). The pivotal shafts give a little movement and this movement shifts tension when there are changes in position and motion of the user. The base has a supportive framework at the top of the unit (reference E) that holds the inflatable in place and which is strong tubular steel so that ball bounces back against it. The rider is raised up (figure 5) and elevated with a leg on either side. It's strong enough to take the whole weight of a large adult, although the context of the design of this equipment is to quickly develop children for riding. The unit has a height adjustment system according to the height of the user and type of exercise performed. The height can be locked and its envisaged to use a telescopic adjustments device (reference H). When adjusted up, it allows the legs to swing back behind the rider (figure 5), abduction movement or for many other exercises. The equipment will be made in various sizes, primarily sizes suitable for children.

Crucially, the speed of the stretches and exercises will vary when flexibility, strength, co-ordination, balance, position or endurance are the desired outcomes. In the same way positions can be held for some time to condition for balance and strength. This equipment can be used to quickly develop consistent strong riding movements and keeping the correct riding posture.

Claims

CLAIMSIt's a small inflatable object that is supported on a wide base. This element of the invention, an inflatable and a wide support base as a single unit, is new. I've looked around and it will be the first as nothing like it exist.The wide base has curved runners (reference B). The wide base on which the inflatable is supported allows children to learn activities securely.The base is made so that it's not in danger of tipping over. It moves in multiple directions enabling children to position themselves, crucial for horse riding.The inflatable is a ball or other shapes (i.e. a cylinder or oval) that is elevated up. The little inflatable is unstable so you can try and sit, bounce or balance on it.The inflatable (reference D) is detached from the wide base and the user is positioned over the unit.The height of equipment is adjustable (reference H). There is a system of height adjustment and this is a telescopic height adjustment device (reference H).The base has a supportive framework (reference E) that fit closely to the ball and connects with it. The curved framework (reference E) encourages the ball to remain central on the base.The supportive framework (reference E) is strong steel so that the ball bounces back against it.The inflatable fits within the supportive framework but is removable therefrom.There are handles that are on the unit (reference C) that enable the legs to be extended backwards simply.The unit is used sitting or standing. The user is elevated highest for doing forceful riding movements including swing the legs back, abduction and lots of other lower limb actions helping motor weaknesses.Beneath the inflatable, the base is hollow (reference F) so that it limits movement of the ball and provides a level of stability.As you can see, it has no saddle.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A unit comprising of small inflatable ball raised up high on a big steel base with curved steel runners.
2. The unit is designed so that the little inflatable ball (average diameter 30cm) is raised up on the apparatus to an adjustable height. Reference H shows the telescopic height adjustment device. Adjusting the height is an essential feature, as like riding a horse, it enables the users legs to be extended backwards behind the body or forwards too for different choice of riding styles and positions. Different heights make a huge difference in getting a good position, helping training the correct posture, according to riding style. It's unstable so that the user can try and balance, bounce or sit on it.
3. The base has a supportive framework (reference E) that fits closely to the ball, although the ball is removable therefrom. The supportive framework is strong steel so that the ball bounces back against it, rebounding against the rocking momentum.
4. The ball makes it inherently unstable. For the first time users, they may have gyrating hips and hanging on using their legs for balance, while trying to perform riding motions.
5. The unit is used in a variety of ways including sitting, with legs weight bearing or standing position, with legs non weight bearing. The user is elevated highest for doing forceful riding movements including swing the legs back, abduction and lots of other lower limb actions helping motor weakness. Other key riding movements are up and down (as in sitting trot), as * ... well as a steady rocking momentum (as in cantering) and in safety. S...
6. As above and the base is made so that it is in no danger of tipping over.:
7. As in claim 1, and it could be a hemisphere, instead of a ball.ISI-s..,
8. Apparatus for effective training of horse riding muscles as in claim 1, with an air filled ball although it could be filled with gas, liquid or even a semisolid.