GB2486446A

GB2486446A - System for assessing the posture of a rider on a horse

Info

Publication number: GB2486446A
Application number: GB1021233.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacqueline Lois El Tawil
Original assignee: JACQUELINE EL TAWIL
Current assignee: JACQUELINE EL TAWIL
Priority date: 2010-12-14
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2012-06-20
Also published as: GB201021233D0

Abstract

A system for assessing the posture of a rider on a horse comprises apparel for the rider including a hat 12, a top 14, gloves 16 and footwear 18. Marker spots 22, 35, 28, 40, 44, 50 are attached to each side of the hat, to the top at the shoulder, hip, elbow and wrist, to the gloves on the back of the hand and to the footwear at the heels. The system also includes at least one marker spot 52 attached to the reins adjacent to the bit. The posture of a rider wearing the apparel is indicated by the relative positions of the marker spots.

Description

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RIDING APPAREL

S The present invention relates to apparel to be worn during horse riding and similar activities, which helps to train a rider to adopt the correct posture.

It is important in horse riding to assume the correct posture both for the comfort and health of the rider and horse, and to ensure proper use of the reins and stirrups by the rider to control the movement of the horse. Once a bad posture has been learnt it can be very difficult to correct.

Therefore, it is particularly important for novice riders to be able to assess and correct their posture easily.

Us 5,946,721 provides horse riding apparel which includes various markers to provide a visual indication of the rider's angulation and posture, including the pitch, roll and yaw (i.e. the movement about 3 mutually perpendicular axes), of parts of the rider's body relative to other parts. However, in practice the system of markings set out is very complicated and difficult for an observer to assess easily. In addition, some parts of the markings are not clearly visible to an observer on the ground, below the level of the rider.

Accordingly, the present invention provides riding apparel comprising a hat, a top with sleeves and footwear to be worn by a rider, wherein marker spots are attached or attachable to each side of the hat, to the top at the shoulder and hip areas and at the elbow areas of the sleeves and to the footwear at the heels, such that the posture of a rider wearing the apparel is indicated by the relative positions of the marker spots and wherein correct posture of the rider is indicated when the marker spots on one side of a rider are aligned with each other along a vertical line.

In this way the riding apparel of the present invention allows a simple "at a glance" assessment of the rider's posture. The arrangement of markings is simple and it does not require any extensive or complicated training to understand how to make the assessment or to advise the rider on how to shift position to correct their posture. It is therefore easy to use by novices or even, with the aid of a mirror (commonly used in riding schools), as a self teaching aid.

Preferably marker spots are also attached or attachable to the top at the wrist area of each sleeve, and the elbow and wrist marker spots on each sleeve are joined by a straight marker line. This provides further information about the rider's arm position.

In addition, a single marker line may be attached or attachable to the top and extending vertically down the centre of the back, and a pair of marker spots may be attached or attachable to the top on the back in the area of a wearer's shoulder blades, and joined by a horizontal marker line. Furthermore, a pair of marker spots may be attached or attachable to the top on the back in the area of a wearer's pelvis, and joined by a horizontal marker lIne.

These are used to assess the rider's posture from the rear.

Preferably, the riding apparel further comprises a pair of gloves, wherein a marker spot is attached or attachable to the back of the hand portion of each glove. A marker line may also be attached or attachable to each glove and extending along the edge of the wrist portion and along the thumb. These are used to show the rider's hand position.

A marker line may be attached or attachable to the hat extending from the centre front brim, over the crown and to the centre of the back edge.

Preferably, the markers are formed of a highly contrasting colour to the other parts of the apparel. The elbow, wrist, forearm and glove markers may be of a different colour to the other markers. This is to provide optimum visibility and visual clarity.

Preferably, the markers are permanently attached to at least some items of the apparel, for convenience and to ensure their correct positioning.

At least some markers may be removably attachable to at least some items of the riding apparel. This allows markers to fitting to items a rider already possesses.

The hat markers may be attached to an elasticated cap fittable over an existing riding hat.

Each heel marker may be attached to an elasticated strap fittable over existing footwear.

The marker spots may be one of stars, triangles, other polygons or circles. Preferably, the marker spots are five pointed stars. A minimum diameter of the marker spots is preferably greater than the width of the marker lines.

S These features provide optimum visibility and visual clarity.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a kit for providing riding apparel as set out above, comprising markers attachable to an existing hat and to existing footwear, a top having markers permanently attached thereto and a pair of gloves having markers permanently attached thereto.

The present invention also provides a method of assessing the posture of a rider mounted on a horse and wearing the apparel as set out above, comprising viewing the rider from the side and assessing whether the marker spots on the hat, shoulder, elbow, hip and heel are aligned with each other along a vertical line.

The method may also comprise assessing whethei the elbow, wrist, forearm and hand markers are aligned with each other on a straight line which is inclined to the horizontal with the elbow marker uppermost.

The method may also comprise viewing the rider from the rear and assessing whether the hat and spine marker lines are vertical and aligned with each other, and whether the shoulder blade marker spots and marker line, and the pelvis marker spots and marker line, are horizontal.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a rider wearing apparel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a horse and seated with the correct posture; Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 but showing the rider with the incorrect posture; Figure 3 shows the riding hat of Figure 1 from the front; Figure 4 shows a side view of the hat of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a rear view of the rider's top of Figure l Figure 6 is the front view of the top shown in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of the top shown in Figures 5 and 6, together with the rider's glove; Figures Ba, Bb, Sc and Sd are enlarged views illustrating one correct and three incorrect positions respectively for the rider's hands; Figure 9 is a side view of the riding boot of Figure 1; Figure 10 shows a rear view of the rider of Figure 1; and Figure 11 is a rear view of the rider of Figure 2.

An example of riding apparel 10 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, which show a rider seated on a horse in the correct and incorrect positions respectively. The apparel 10 includes markers on the rider's hat 12, top 14, gloves 16 and boots 18.

The hat 12, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, is a conventional hard riding hat with a marker line 20 extending from the front of the hat in the centre of the brim, over the crown of the hat and to the centre of the lower back edge.

A pair of marker spots 22 are also provided, one on each side of the hat 12, so that they lie above the position of the rider's ears when the hat is worn.

In this example, the marker spots 22 are formed as five pointed stars, but other shapes may be used, such as circles, triangles or other polygons. Nevertheless, a shape which allows an observer to easily see its orientation relative to a notional datum is particularly advantageous.

Thus, with the five pointed star illustrated, it can be positioned on a hat 12 with one vertex pointing vertically upwards. In use, if the wearer tilts their head by raising or lowering the chin, an observer can immediately see this movement because the upward pointing vertex of the star will also be tilted.

The marker line 20 and marker spots 22 are preferably formed in a colour which strongly contrasts with the colour of the hat 12 for optimum visibility. Since riding hats are typically black, the marker line 20 and spots 22 may be white or another light, highly contrasting colour such as bright green.

As described further below, the markers may be permanently attached to, or removably attachable to, a riding hat. They may be formed of fabric, plastic or any

suitable material.

The rider's top 14 is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Markers are provided on the front, back, sides and sleeves of the top 14. On the front, as seen in Figure 6, a single chest marker line 24 extends vertically down the centre from the neck aperture, either partway down to chest level, or further down even as far as the hem if desired.

On the back, as seen in Figure 5, a single spine marker line 26 extends vertically down the centre of the top from the neck aperture preferably all the way down to the hem.

A pair of marker spots 28 are positioned at the level of a wearer's shoulder blades and joined by a horizontal marker line 30. A pair of pelvis marker spots 32 are positioned at the level of a wearer's pelvis and joined by a horizontal marker line 34.

On each side, as shown in Figure 7, a marker spot 35 is positioned near to the lower edge of the top, at the location of a wearer's hip.

On the sleeves of the top 14, as also best seen in Figure 7, marker spots 36, 38 and 40 are provided at the shoulder, elbow and wrist areas respectively. The elbow and wrist marker spots 38, 40 are joined by a straight marker line 42 extending along the forearm.

As with the hat 12, the marker spots in this example are shown as five pointed stars but other shapes may be used. However, all the marker spots have a diameter, even at their smallest point, which is considerably larger than the width of the marker lines so that they are clearly distinguishable from the lines. The marker lines and spots of the top 14 are also of a colour which contrasts strongly with that of the top. Preferably, the top may be black and the markers white or highly contrasting colour matching with the markers on the hat 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the elbow and wrist marker spots 38, 40 and the forearm marker line 42 are formed of a different colour to the other marker spots and lines formed on the top and hat, for visual clarity in use.

The gloves 16 are shown in Figures 7 and 8a-d. A single marker spot 44 is positioned on the back of the hand.

As before, this is illustrated as a five pointed star but other shapes may be used. A single marker line 46 extends along the inner edge of the wrist portion and along the thumb.

The markers may be permanently attached to, or removably attachable to, the top 14 and gloves 16 as described further below.

The boots 18 are shown in Figure 9. Preferably, an attachment means, such as an elasticated strap 48 is fittable over a rider's existing boots. A marker spot 50 is secured to the strap 48 so that in use it is located on an outward facing surface of the user's heel.

In use, a rider's posture when seated on a horse can be identified by the riding apparel 10 of the present invention as illustrated in Figures 1-2 and 10-11.

In the correct riding posture, the rider's spine should be straight, with the shoulders level, the hips level and the head upright.

Seen from the side, as in Figure 1, the correct posture is indicated when the rider is sitting up straight such that the ear marker spot 22, shoulder marker spot 28, elbow marker spot 38, hip marker spot 35 and heel marker spot 50 are all aligned with each other along a vertical line.

In addition, the elbow marker spot 38, wrist marker spot 40, forearm marker line 42 and glove marker spot 44 should be aligned with each other along a straight line, inclined to the horizontal and with the elbow marker spot 38 uppermost. A further marker spot 52, may be provided on the reins, close to the horse's head. In the correct posture, this should also line up with the elbow marker spot 38, wrist marker spot 40, forearm marker line 42 and glove marker spot 44 along a straight line. The rein marker spot 52 is also shown as a five-pointed star like the other marker spots but could be other shapes.

-10 -Viewed from the rear as in Figure 10, when the correct posture is attained this is indicated by the hat marker line and spine marker line 26 being vertical and aligned with one another. In addition, the shoulder blade marker spots 28 should be level and the shoulder blade marker line 30 horizontal, and the pelvis marker spots 32 level and the pelvis marker line 34 horizontal.

Viewed from the front (although not shown) the correct posture is indicated when the marker line 20 on the hat 12 and the chest marker line 24 on the top 14 appear vertical and aligned with each other.

As shown in Figure 2, the posture is incorrect if in side view the rider is not sitting up straight but leaning forward or backward. As shown in Figure 11, the posture is also incorrect if in rear view the rider is tending to slump or lean to one side. These incorrect postures can be identified at a glance. In side view, the ear marker spot 22, shoulder marker spot 28, elbow marker spot 38, hip marker spot 35 and heel marker spot 50 are not aligned with each other and do not lie along a vertical line. In rear view, the the hat and spine marker lines 20,26 are not vertical nor aligned, the shoulder blade marker spots 28 and the hip marker spots 32 are not level, the shoulder blade marker line 30 and hip marker line 34 are not horizontal.

Thus, the areas where posture is incorrect can be easily identified and corrected.

Finally for correct posture, the glove marker line 46 should be straight and facing upwardly and the glove marker -11 -spot 44 facing outwardly. The glove lines 46 of both hands should converge away from the body as seen in Figure 8a.

Incorrect wrist and hand positions can be easily detected by the rider themselves when looking down, as shown in Figures Sb-d.

Thus, a rider's posture can be assessed very quickly and without any complicated training by an observer. The observer simply needs to assess visually if from the side view the vertically extending line of marker spots is indeed vertically aligned and the forearm markers aligned and inclined to the horizontal.

From the rear, the observer assesses whether the vertical and horizontal marker lines are indeed vertical and horizontal respectively. These assessments can be made quickly and indeed instinctively by an observer, since the human eye and brain are "hardwired" to detect horizontal and vertical line patterns. Accordingly, incorrect posture can be easily identified at a glance and corrected.

It will be appreciated that the present invention can be provided as a complete set of items, that is a hat, top, gloves and boots with the marker spots and lines permanently affixed thereto for example by stitching or gluing etc. However, the invention may also be provided in a kit form for use with certain elements of the rider's own equipment, especially since many riders will tend to have their own hat and boots. For example, a kit may consist of markers affixable to an existing hat and riding boots, -12 -together with a top and gloves to which the markers are already attached, or any variation or combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the kit consists of an elasticated cap with the head marker line 20 and ear marker spots 22 affixed thereto, which can be fitted over an existing riding hat, in a similar manner to the coloured silks used by jockeys to denote their racing colours.

Similarly, a pair of elasticated straps 48 may be used to affix the heel marker spots SO to an existing pair of riding boots as described above. The top and gloves and provided as ready made items with the markers attached.

Whilst it is preferred if the top and gloves have the markers permanently attached, it is also possible to supply a kit comprising all the markers in a suitable form to be releasably attached to existing garments, for example by Velcro (RTM) or similar means.

Claims

-13 -CLAIMS1. Riding apparel comprising a hat, a top with sleeves and footwear to be worn by a rider, wherein marker spots are attached or attachable to each side of the hat, to the top at the shoulder and hip areas and at the elbow areas of the sleeves and to the footwear at the heels, such that the posture of a rider wearing the apparel is indicated by the relative positions of the marker spots and wherein correct posture of the rider is indicated when the marker spots on one side of a rider are aligned with each other along a vertical line.
2. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 1, further comprising marker spots attached or attachable to the top at the wrist area of each sleeve, and the elbow and wrist marker spots on each sleeve are joined by a straight marker line.
3. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a single marker line attached or attachable to the top and extending vertically down the centre of the back.
4. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a pair of marker spots attached or attachable to the top on the back in the area of a wearer's shoulder blades, and joined by a horizontal marker line.
5. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a pair of marker spots attached or attachable to -14 -the top on the back in the area of a wearer's pelvis, and joined by a horizontal marker line.
6. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, S further comprising a pair of gloves, wherein a marker spot is attached or attachable to the back of the hand portion of each glove.
7. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a marker line attached or attachable to each glove and extending along the edge of the wrist portion and along the thumb.
8. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a marker line attached or attachable to the hat extending from the centre front brim, over the crown and to the centre of the back edge.
9. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the markers are formed of a highly contrasting colour to the other parts of the apparel.
10. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the elbow, wrist, forearm and glove markers are of a different colour to the other markers.
11. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the markers are permanently attached to at least some items of the apparel.

-15 -
12. Riding apparel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least some markers are removably attachable to at least some items of a riding apparel.
13. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hat markers are attached to an elasticated cap fittable over an existing riding hat.
14. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each heel marker is attached to an elasticated strap fittable over existing footwear.
15. Riding apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, the marker spots are one of stars, triangles, other polygons or circles.
16. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the marker spots are five pointed stars.
17. Riding apparel as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein a minimum diameter of the marker spots is greater than the width of the marker lines.
18. A kit for providing riding apparel as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, comprising markers attachable to an existing hat and to existing footwear, a top having markers permanently attached thereto and a pair of gloves having markers permanently attached thereto.
19. A method of assessing the posture of a rider mounted on a horse and wearing the apparel as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising viewing the rider from the side and -16 -assessing whether the marker spots on the hat, shoulder, elbow, hip and heel are aligned with each other along a vertical line.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising assessing whether the elbow, wrist, forearm and hand markers are aligned with each other on a straight line which is inclined to the horizontal with the elbow marker uppermost.
21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, further comprising viewing the rider from the rear and assessing whether the hat and spine marker lines are vertical and aligned with each other, and whether the shoulder blade marker spots and marker line, and the pelvis marker spots and pelvis marker line, are horizontal.
22. Riding apparel substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23. A kit substantially and hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A method of assessing posture of a rider mounted on a horse substantially and hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. A system for assessing the posture of a rider on a horse comprising apparel for the rider comprising a hat, a S top with sleeves, footwear and gloves, wherein marker spots are attached to each side of the hat, to the top at the shoulder, hip, elbow and wrist areas, to the gloves on the back of the hand portion and to the footwear at the heels, the system further comprising at least one marker spot attached to the reins adjacent to the bit, such that the posture of a rider wearing the apparel is indicated by the relative positions of the marker spots and wherein the correct posture of the rider is indicated when the marker spots on one side of a rider on the hat, shoulder, elbow, hip and heels are aligned with each other along a vertical line, and the marker spots on the elbow, wrist, glove and reins are aligned along a straight line.S*5**SSS S2. A systemas claimed in claim 1, wherein the elbow and wrist marker spots on each sleeve are joined by a straight 555 marker line.3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a single marker line attached to the top and extending vertically down the centre of the back.4. A system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a pair of marker spots attached to the top on the back in the area of a wearer's shoulder blades, and joined by a horizontal marker line.5. A system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a pair of marker spots attached to the top on the back in the area of a wearer's pelvis, and joined by a horizontal marker line.6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a marker line attached to each glove and extending along the edge of the wrist portion and along the thumb.7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a marker line attached to the hat extending from the centre front brim, over the crown and to the centre of the back edge.8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the markers are formed of a highly contrasting colour to the other parts of the apparel.* ***.* * * 9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elbow, wrist, forearm and glove markers are of a different colour to the other markers. S. S * * .10. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the markers are permanently attached to at least some items of the system.11. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least some markers are removably attached to at least some items of the system.12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the hat markers are attached to an elasticated cap fittable over an existing riding hat.13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each heel marker is attached to an elasticated strap fittable over existing footwear.14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, the marker spots are one of stars, triangles, other polygons or circles.15. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the marker spots are five pointed stars.16. A system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein a minimum diameter of the marker spots is greater than the width of the marker lines.* S.... * S17. A kit for providing a system as claimed in any of claims S 1 to 9, comprising an elasticated cap with markers thereon and fittable over a conventional riding hat, elasticated *:. straps with markers thereon and tittable over conventional riding boots, a top having markers permanently attached thereto, a pair of gloves having markers permanently attached thereto, and at least one marker spot attachable to a horse's reins.18. A system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.19. A kit substantially and hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. ** * ** S*s*e * S * S * 555 *,S S * S S S 55S*Ss #SS *