GB2509185A

GB2509185A - Horse riding balancing aid

Info

Publication number: GB2509185A
Application number: GB1223424.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Katie Allin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-22
Filing date: 2012-12-22
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Also published as: GB201223424D0

Abstract

A balancing aid and method of use, for aiding balance and/or confidence of a user riding a horse. The aid comprises a plate 1 arranged to be located in use adjacent the horse's breast, a handle 2 for the user, and adjustable means of attachment 3 to connect the plate with the handle and with the horse's tack. The adjustable means of attachment rotates a cable 4 which in turn moves straps 8. The cable is supported on or by buffers 5.

Description

A BALANCING AID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a balancing aid. More particularly but not exclusively the invention relates to a horse rider balancing aid for improving rider confidence with particular concern for the horse.

Background

When riding horses often the greatest concern for the rider or user is falling from the horse. An experienced user will have developed improved balance whereas a user learning to ride will often be and feel unbalanced. This can cause tension and instability in the riders body. Notably by using the reins to hold on, The reins are attached to the horse's sensitive mouth.

Being unbalanced as a rider may also be uncomfortable for the horse and may lead to the horse showing conflict behaviour.

In order to make a user feel more comfortable a neck strap may be added to the horse to provide the user with something to hold onto, in addition to the reins.

However, holding onto a neck strap means the user's hands are in a forward, lower position which can tip the rider's upper body over the horse's point of balance.

Additionally to hold onto the strap the user often hooks fingers under the strap, thereby breaking what is recognised to be an effective rein-holding position, resulting in limited control of the reins/horse.

The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with improving rider confidence and balance, without compromising the comfort of the horse and position of the reins by providing an adjustable balancing aid with a handle.

Sunimarv of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a balancing aid, suitable to aid balance and/or confidence of a user riding a horse comprising: a plate arranged to engage the horse's breast; a handle for the user; and adjustable means of attachment to connect the plate with the handle and with the horse's tack.

The rider balancing aid may be fitted around a horse's neck in use, and may comprise: a plate or breastplate arranged to be located in use adjacent the horse's breast; at least one neck pad arranged to engage the horse's neck; and a means of attachment encompassing an adjustable cable with tightening device and at least two connectors. The plate may typically be attached to the tack in two places1 and preferably also the handle to the tack.

The breastplate is preferably triangular in shape and is positioned in use on the horse's chest or breast with corners located to the sides of the horse's neck and a corner directed between the horse's forelimba, in this manner so as to not interfere with the horse's movement.

The balancing aid may be secured to the horse's tack in at least two locations although preferably three, so as to keep the breastplate and handle in positions relative to one another and the horse and user so as to reduce movement that may unbalance andlor discomfort the horse or user.

Ideally various connectors may be provided so as to enable connections at various locations such on a girth or saddle.

Ideally the breastplate corner as directed between the horse's forelimbs is attached to a tack connector so that the balancing aid is attached through to the horse's girth, preventing the balancing aid from rising up or flapping undesirably in use.

The tack connector may be a strap with a distal loop through which the girth may be threaded, wherein the strap is passed between the horse's forelimbs to where the horse's girth lies. Alternate embodiments of the tack connector may include a clip that is anchored on the girth.

The breastplate is advantageously formed of a lightweight, strong material such as leather or synthetic plastic, so as alter minimally in shape whilst in use, wherein such alterations may be envisaged to lead to unbalancing of the horse and/or user.

Ideally the breastplate may include an internal covering, padding or fabric arranged in use to be located between plate and horse breast, such as sheepskin or synthetic fleece so as not to rub the horse in use and to reduce sweating, further minimising discomfort for the horse, and likelihood of disturbance to the user.

In preferred embodiments the tightening device is adapted to be secured to, mounted on or integral to the breastplate, wherein a cable extends from the tightening device and passes around each side of the horse's neck, connecting to each other at the horse's wither thereby forming an adjustable collar around the horse's neck and ideally providing support for the breastplate and/or the handle.

The tightening device may include a pan that is adjustable in order to tighten the cable, for example wherein at least a part of the device is turned to reduce or extend cable length and thereby reducing or increase collar size1 and the same or another part may be pressed to release the cable or cables from the device thereby lengthening the cable and increase collar size. The collar size may consequently be adjusted to alter fit around a myriad of horses necks and also altering height at which the handle may be held in use, therefore to achieve a preferred hand position with the reins. Adjustable to the type of horse discipline for example hacking (loose) to hunting (very secure). Also depending on the fitness or shape from time of year of the horse.

Typically both cable ends are joined within or to the handle, wherein the handle is positioned at the horses wither in use, and mounted so as to be held vertically to allow reins to be held in correct orientation, whilst the user is also holding the handle.

Ideally the handle is sized so as to match the user's palm width so that the handle may fit in the user's grip whilst holding the reins. The handle may be available in various sizes, for example, child1 ladies and men's so as to reflect different hand sizesldisabilities (Para riders) Advantageously, the handle may be formed from a resiliently deformable material such as neoprene and may include a covering, layer or portion of an anti slip material such as rubber or silicone so as to limit slippage of the user's hands.

Preferably the cable length allows the user's hands to be held clear of the saddle ideally maintaining a more balanced position from the user's hands to the reins and the horses mouth.

In preferred embodiments the cables are threaded through intermediate buffers so as to separate the cable from the horse or horse's coat providing comfortable surfaces that will minimise rubbing.

In this way the cable may be passed through the buffer, and may in preferred embodiments attach to elastic or inelastic strapping to the handle, so as to maintain adjustment at the cable, buffer or breastplate.

Typically the balancing aid has two intermediate buffers, one each side of the horses neck passing from the breastplate or breastplate's corners to around the horse's neck, wherein the buffers do not join at the withers, leaving a portion of cable exposed, so as to allow adjustment to be made to the cable length without interference from the buffers, that may be otherwise envisaged to bunch up during tightening if no cable remained exposed.

Preferably the buffers' proximal ends, that is closest to the horse's wither, include saddle connectors so that the balancing aid may be secured to the saddle, typically wherein there is included one saddle connector on each side of the saddle so as to minimise roll Ideally the saddle connectors are connected to D-rings on the saddle by means of hooks and eyes, loops, press studs, buttons, clips or buckles, so as to prevent the collar moving forward in use and to provide improved stability to the handle when held by the rider.

Ideally the buffers are formed from or provide an inner of a soft flexible material so as to be comfortable for the horse, but also provide sufficient support if hung on by the rider, for example wherein the neck pads may be comprised of neoprene with webbing portions so as to limit stretch.

Typically the buffers are joined to the breastplate by elastic webbing so as to limit stretching at the join and be intermediate between the cable and horse.

In some embodiments the buffers' and breastplate openings, about where and providing points at where the cable exits and is mounted, may be reinforced so as to prevent the cable causing wear, in particular where the cable exits. It is envisaged that the openings may be include a metal 0-ring mounted within the strap so as to further reduce wear.

In some embodiments the balancing aid may be adapted to function additionally as a martingale wherein lines extending from the collar or breastplate to the reins are included so as to prevent the horse throwing its head when ridden, without requirement for two pieces of separate equipment to be worn.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the aid: Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1: Figure 4 shows a view from in front of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a view from behind of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and FigureS shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

The embodiment shown in the Figures includes the following: With reference to the figures, the balanding aid, suitable to aid balance or confidence of a user riding a horse, comprises a breast plate 1 arranged to be located in use adjacent the horse's breast in use. The breast plate may include an internal covering, padding or fabric arranged in use to be located between plate and horse breast, such as sheepskin or synthetic fleece so as not to rub the horse in use and to reduce sweating, further minimising discomfort for the horse, and likelihood of disturbance to the user.

The breastplate 1 includes or supports or is attached to an adjustable means of attachment 3 which is capable of being rotated to wind in or out a cable 4, which in turn moves straps 8. The cable 4 is supported on or by buffers 5 which act as a buffer between the horse (not pictured) and the cable 4.

The aid further includes a handle 6 for the user. The adjustable means of attachment 3 is arranged to connect the plate 1 with the handle 6 and with the horse's tack.

The cables 4 are attached to the handle 6 and may lead to further strapping via hooks 6 which further strapping may be attached to the saddle or tack.

The tack connector 7 is attached below the horse to the tack.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A balancing aid, suitable to aid balance or confidence of a user riding a horse comprising: a plate arranged to be located in use adjacent the horse's breast; a handle for the user; and adjustable means of attachment to connect the plate with the handle and with the horse's tack.
2. A balancing aid according to claim 1 wherein the tightening device is located on the plate.
3. A balancing aid according to claim 1 or 2 wherein cables are threaded through intermediate buffers so as to separate cable from the horse.
4. A balancing aid with reference to the figures.
5. A means of providing training using a balancing aid according to any of the preceding claims.