GB2579852A

GB2579852A - Adjustable saddle

Info

Publication number: GB2579852A
Application number: GB1820603.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Renouf Anna
Original assignee: Orrin Equestrian Products Ltd
Current assignee: Orrin Equestrian Products Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-18
Filing date: 2018-12-18
Publication date: 2020-07-08
Also published as: GB201820603D0

Abstract

An adjustable saddle 1 suitable for use with an animal, for example for horse riding, which offers the ability to provide a bespoke or customised fit to an individual animal. The adjustable saddle comprises a seat 10 and an animal contacting portion 22. The animal contacting portion supports the seat in a position away from the animal's back and comprises plurality of adjustable animal contacting points 3 which are profiled to match the contours of the animal's back and/or sides. The contacting points are preferably in the form of ribs. The first ends of the ribs are attached to the underside of the seat and the second ends are provided with pads 6.

Description

Adjustable Saddle

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable saddle, suitable for use in, for example horse riding, which offers the ability to provide a bespoke or customised fit to an individual animal, e.g. a horse.

Background

The basic design of a horse saddle is well established and has not varied for hundreds of years. Its function is to provide stability and support, both to the saddle and a rider. For optimum functionality, safety, and for the health of the horse, the saddle must evenly distribute the rider's weight, or a load in the case of a pack horse, across the horse's back, whilst removing any pressure from the spine. In order to achieve this, the saddle tree, which provides the base onto which the saddle is built, must closely fit the contours of the horse's back. The tree's size determines the fit on the horse's back; if the tree is too narrow, it may not sit correctly on the horse's back and create pressure points; if the tree is too wide, it may sit too low on the horse's spine.

A well-fitting tree will protect the horse from the weight of a rider or load, and allow them to be positioned above the horse's back, evenly distributing their weight and reducing the pressure exerted on the horse's back, enhancing its health, safety and comfort.

In a traditional saddle, the tree forms the basic structure of the saddle, upon which, leather is attached. A traditional tree is typically constructed from laminated wood or synthetic materials, and can be reinforced with metal plates. Commercially available saddle trees are typically made in a range of standard sizes, but offer very little adjustability in width or angle. There are currently no saddles that allow alteration of the width and angle of the tree along the length of the saddle and the horse's back.

A number of different commercially available saddles offer partially adjustable trees, which allow a rider to change the width of the saddle through interchangeable bars located at the front of the saddle, referred to as gullet bars. While this offers some improvement on the traditional saddle, there are a number of limitations with this design, the most notable being that this adjustment only alters one section of the tree, typically the angle at the front of the tree, but does not alter the fit of the remainder of the saddle, resulting in a saddle which fits in only one area of the horse's back, while other areas may be ill fitting, thus facing the same issues as with a traditional saddle.

Treeless saddles offer an alternative design which attempt to address the aforementioned issues, by providing a universal saddle which will fit horses of different shapes and sizes.

However, it has been found that without the support of a tree, the load is not evenly distributed and such, saddles can create high pressure areas across the horse's back, thus potentially harming the horse and providing reduced performance for the rider.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate and/or mitigate the limitations and/or disadvantages associated with the prior art andlor with conventional saddles by providing a fully adjustable and customisable saddle. The present invention considers the biomechanics of both the horse and rider, and supports the weight of the rider and distributes their load evenly, minimising the pressure experienced by the horse. The present invention allows a horse to make full use of its back and surrounding muscles, helping to reduce pain and discomfort associated with current saddle designs; and improve stride length and performance.

In this invention, the traditional tree has been replaced with an adjustable supporting element.

Summary of the Invention

The disclosure relates to an adjustable saddle.

In an embodiment, the disclosed saddle comprises a seat and, in use, makes contact with the horse at one or more discrete locations. As such, the saddle comprises an animal contact part, which animal contact part comprises one or more pads which contact the animal at one or more discrete locations. For example, the animal contact part of the saddle may comprise 2 or more, for example 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more pads, which contact the animal at an equivalent number of discrete points.

A user may adjust the position of each pad relative to the seat portion of the disclosed saddle such that the precise point of contact between the pad part(s) of the saddle and an animal to which the saddle is fitted, is adjusted.

In view of the adjustable nature of the saddles disclosed herein, it is possible for a user to achieve a bespoke, accurate, comfortable and customisable fit and/or contact between the animal and the saddle.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adjustable saddle, wherein the saddle is adjustable at two or more points to accommodate the profile of an animal.

In particular, the width of the saddle may be adjusted between a minimum and a maximum width.

Further, one or more (for example all) of the points at which the saddle makes contact with the animal, can be adjusted. As such, the saddles disclosed herein can be adjusted to contact an animal at one or more (multiple) discrete locations.

The saddle comprises a seat. The seat may be adapted and/or configured (moulded or profiled) to receive a rider. The seat may be designed for a human to sit on. The seat may have an upper and lower surface. The upper surface may be shaped and profiled to provide a seat for a rider (for example a human rider). The underside surface is the surface which, in use, faces, is opposite or adjacent part (for example the back part) of the animal.

The saddle may further comprise an animal contact portion. The animal contact portion may be connected to the seat. For example, the animal contact portion may be connected to, and extend from, the underside surface of the seat. In use, the animal contact portion of the saddle may be disposed between the animal and the seat.

The animal contact portion may (when in use) hold the seat portion of the saddle away from the animal's back (thus, in use, the seat is spaced apart from the animal's back). In use, the animal contact portion of the saddle ensures that the seat part of the saddle is not in direct contact with the animal.

When placed on an animal (for example a horse) the animal contact portion makes contact with one or more, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more discrete points on the animal.

For example, the animal contact portion of the saddle may contact one or more discrete points on some part of the left side of the animal and one or more discrete points on some part of the right side of the animal.

The points of contact between the animal contact portion of the saddle and the animal itself may be located either side of the animal's spine. Thus, the animal contact portion may contact a plurality of discrete points on the left and right sides of the animal on either side of its spine.

The animal contact portion may comprise a resilient member or rib. The resilient member or rib of the animal contact portion will be referred to hereinafter as the "rib".

The rib may be elongate and have first and second ends.

The first (or an) end of the rib may be connected to the seat -for example an underside surface of the seat.

The second (or the other) end of the rib may, in use, contact the horse.

The second (or other) end of the rib may comprise or terminate in a pad which, when the saddle is in use, forms the point of contact with the animal.

The animal contact portion may comprise one or more ribs. For example, the animal contact portion may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more ribs. In embodiments where the saddle comprises two or more ribs (for example 6 ribs) one end (for example a first end) of each of the ribs may be connected to the underside surface of the seat.

The second (or other) end of all of the ribs may comprise or terminate in a pad. In use, the pad at the (second) end of each rib may form the point of contact between the saddle and the animal.

It should be noted that (again in use) the rib part of the animal contact portion (of the saddle) and in particular any pad thereof, may be the only part of the saddle that makes contact with the animal.

The saddle of this disclosure may comprise six ribs -each of which extend from an underside surface of the seat part of the saddle. As stated, each of the six ribs may terminate in a pad which forms the point of contact between the saddle and the animal.

The animal contact portion of the saddle may extend either side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle. For example, where the animal contact portion of the saddle comprises a plurality of ribs extending from the underside of the seat portion of the saddle, some of the ribs may extend to one side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle and some of the ribs may extend to the other side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle. An equal number of ribs may extend either side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle. For example, where the saddle comprises six ribs, three may extend to one side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle and three may extend to the other side of the longitudinal axis of the saddle.

Each rib may extend from the underside of the seat part of the saddle at some angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the saddle. For example, one or more of the ribs may extend in a manner substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the saddle.

The ribs may be curved or arcuate in profile.

The animal contact portion may be releasably connected to the seat. In this way, the animal contact portion and the various components thereof may be removed (collectively, together or individually) from the seat portion. In one embodiment, each component of the animal contact portion may be individually releasably secured to the seat part of the saddle; and individually removed from the seat part of the saddle.

Each component, for example each rib of the animal contact portion may be individually manipulated. That is to say, the position of each rib, relative to the seat portion of the saddle may be manipulated and/or adjusted.

For example, the point of contact between the, or each, of the rib(s) of the animal contact portion and the seat portion of the saddle (for example the point at which a first end of each rib is fixed or releasably fixed to the seat portion of the saddle) may be adjusted.

Each rib may be releasably connected (or fixed) to the seat at one or more positions.

Each rib may be releasably connected (or fixed) to the seat at 2, 3, 4, 5 or more positions.

Each rib may be connected to the seat portion of the saddle at a first or a second position. The first position may be located nearer the longitudinal axis of the saddle than the second position. A rib of the animal contact portion may therefore be connected to the seat part of the saddle at either the first position or the second position. Each rib may also be connected to the seat portion of the saddle at additional positions -for example at an additional third position, or an additional fourth position. Indeed any given saddle may comprise a plurality of rib fixing or attachment points on an underside surface of the seat.

Additional rib fixing or attachment points may be located between the abovementioned first and second rib fixing or attachment points. Accordingly, where the animal contact portion comprises a plurality of ribs (for example six ribs), each rib may be releasably connected to an underside surface of the seat part of the saddle at one or more (for example 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) positions. Each connecting position may be referred to as a rib fixing point.

By independently fixing an end of each rib to a selected rib fixing point, it is possible to adjust the dimensions of the saddle and to adjust the points of contact between the animal and the saddle. One of skill will appreciate that adjusting the position at which each rib connects to the seat part of the saddle, necessarily adjusts the position of the other end of the rib relative to the seat -it is this adjustment that makes it possible to achieve a bespoke and tailored fit between the saddle and an animal.

The ribs may be attached to the attachment points using a removable fastening means, which may include, for example, pin joints, threaded fasteners, dowel pins with retaining circlips or split pins, coil spring pins, or the like. The saddle may comprise a rib mounting block. The rib mounting block (referred to herein after as the "mounting block") may be attached to an underside part of the seat.

The saddle may comprise a plurality, for example 2, 3, 4, 5 mounting blocks. All of the mounting blocks may be attached to an underside part of the seat.

In one embodiment, the (or each) mounting block may be integral to the seat portion. In another embodiment, the (or each) mounting block may be attached to the seat by any suitable means including, for example by an adhesive, by welding or by using a threaded fastening means or the like.

The mounting block may comprise metal, wood, composite material(s), plastic or the like.

In one embodiment, the mounting block may comprise (or be manufactured from) aluminium.

In another embodiment, the mounting block may be manufactured from steel.

Each mounting block may be formed and adapted to receive a rib part of the animal contact portion of the saddle. For example, each mounting block may be formed and adapted to receive two ribs. As such, where the animal contact portion comprises six ribs, the seat part will comprise three mounting blocks -each mounting block being used to receiving and releasably secure, two ribs of the animal contact portion.

The mounting block may define a channel or slot. The channel or slot may be open at both ends.

The channel or slot may be adapted (formed, sized and dimensioned) to receive an end of one or more rib part(s) of the animal contact portion.

The ribs (or an end thereof) may slide within the defined channel or slot.

The channel or slot defined by a mounting block may be sized to slidably receive two animal contact portion ribs. One rib may be slidably mounted or received within one end of the defined channel or slot and the other rib may be slidably mounted or received with the other end of the same defined channel or slot.

The mounting block may comprise one or more rib fixing/attachment points as described above. For example, the mounting block may comprise one or more rib fixing or attachment points. For each rib received by the channel or slot defined by the mounting block, the mounting block may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or more rib fixing or attachment points.

The mounting block may comprise a first and second rib attachment point. The first attachment point may lie closer to the longitudinal axis of the saddle than the second attachment point. There may be other attachment points located between the first and second rib attachment points.

The rib fixing/attachment positions may be located at specific points within the defined channel or slot. The rib fixing/attachment positions may be located at regular points with the defined channel or slot of the mounting block.

By releasably fixing an end of each rib to some position within the defined channel or slot, it is possible to adjust the dimensions of the saddle and to adjust the points of contact between the animal and the saddle. One of skill will appreciate that by adjusting the fixing position of the first end of a rib within the defined channel or slot, this necessarily adjusts the position of the other end of the rib (comprising the animal contact pad) relative to the seat part of the saddle -this allows for a bespoke and tailored fit between the saddle and an animal.

The mounting block may define a series of apertures that receive pins or lugs located on the rib. The apertures defined by the mounting block may comprise the rib fixing or attachment points.

The pins or lugs located on the rib may be biased to an outward position.

The size, profile and/or dimension of the animal contact portion can be adjusted such that the point and/or angle of contact between the animal contact portion of the saddle and the animal can be adjusted.

The saddle may be suitable for use with (or attaching, fitting or strapping to) an animal, e.g. a horse. The saddle may also be suitable for use with any animal that can be ridden or worked, for example, equines, bovines, ungulates, elephants or the like.

The saddle (and supporting element) may be broadly symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis may run along the length of the saddle, and/or may run along the length of the animal's spine, when in use.

As described above, one or more of the parameters of the animal contact portion may be adjustable. For example, the width and length of the overall length, width and/or spread of the animal contact portion may be adjustable. For example, by adjusting or manipulating the point of contact between the ribs of the animal contact portion and the seat part of the saddle, the animal contact portion may be variably adjustable between minimum and maximum lengths, widths and/or spreads.

Alternatively or additionally, multiple other aspects and parts of the animal contact portion may be adjustable (in position and relative to the seat part of the saddle) in some way. For example, the angle at which one or more components (for example the ribs) of the animal contact portion extends from the seat may be adjustable, the position and/or angle at which the animal contact portion (or rather the rib ends or pad parts thereof) contacts the animal may be adjusted. The animal contact part (or any (rib) component thereof) may be adjustable (relative to the position of the seat part) in terms of its roll, pitch and yaw angles.

The ribs which extend from each side of the mounting block may be attached, joined, connected or fused together. The ribs may be made of metal, wood, composite material, plastic or the like. In an embodiment, the ribs may be made of composite materials.

The ribs may be integral to the mounting blocks and may be comprised, formed, or manufactured as a single unit, e.g. may be unitary with the mounting blocks and/or the seat part of the saddle.

The pads may be removably attached to the ribs. Alternatively, the pads may be fixedly attached to the ribs. The pads may be integral with the ribs, which may, themselves be integral with the seat part. In other words the saddle may be fashioned as a single or multiple pieces. 3D printing technology or the like may be used to make all or parts of the saddle.

The pads may each be of the same or a different size. By such provision, the pressure acting on the back of the animal may be varied.

The position of the pads relative to the end of each rib may be adjusted or manipulated. For example, the pad may be connected to the rib of the animal contact portion by a movable joint, or in some way that allows multiple different connection positions. Each pad may be connected to a rib via a ball and socket joint, by a ratchet type joint (that allows the pad to be fixed in any given position) or by system comprising threaded fasteners, push-fit fixings, loop and hook fasteners, lug/pin and aperture systems and/or nut and bolt fixings. For example the position or angle of the pad relative to the rib to which it is attached may be adjusted, altered or manipulated. One of skill will appreciate that attaching the pads to the ribs at different attachment points on the pads, necessarily adjusts the position of the pads relative to a rib, animal contact portion and/or seat part of the saddle., The rotational angles and positions of the pads relative to the ribs may be varied. In this way, the position of each pad can be individually altered such that a customised customisable, proper, accurate and comfortable fit can be achieved between the animal and the saddle.

The pads may be contoured or profiled to match the profile and/or contours of the part of the animal they are intended to contact. For example, they may be shaped, profiled or contoured to match or fit/mate with parts of an animal's back.

The pads may be made of wood, metal, composite material, plastic or the like. In an embodiment, the pads may be made of plastic. The pads may be rigid, or may be flexible. In an embodiment, the stiffness of the pads may be greater in the region of attachment with the rib, than at the outer edges of the pads.

The pads may define a number of (for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more) holes and/or through holes. The holes and/or through holes may extend through the entire thickness of the pad, and/or may only extend through part of the thickness of the pad. The defined holes may be of the same or a different shape/dimension. Further the location of any given defined hole(s) may vary between the pads of the saddle described herein. The defined holes may help increase the flexibility of the pad and may further minimise contact between the animal and the saddle which will have the effect of preventing the saddle (or at least the parts that contact the animal) from rubbing or causing overheating (in other words, the defined holes may permit ventilation). The defined holes may also help reduce the total weight of the saddle -a pad which defines holes being lighter than a pad which does not. The saddle may comprise a number of blocks. These may be used (inserted, located or disposed) between the animal contact portion and the seat part of the saddle and/or between the terminal part of any ribs of the animal contact portion and pads that are attached or joined thereto. For example, the animal contact part of the saddle may comprise 2 or more, for example 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more blocks, which may be each be disposed between each rib of the animal contact portion and the seat part of the saddle. The animal contact part of the saddle may comprise 2 or more, for example 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more blocks, each of which may be disposed between the ribs and pads. Thus, where the saddle comprises six ribs (as part of the animal contact portion, a block may be located at each end of the rib -one between one rib end and the seat and one between the other rib end and the pad. With such an arrangement, there would be 12 blocks.

The blocks may be formed of a compressive and/or resilient material. The resilience or stiffness of the elastomer block may be varied. The blocks may be elastomer blocks. The blocks may serve the purpose of shock absorbers and by varying the properties of the material of the block, the amount of shock absorption they provide can be altered. Alternatively, or additionally, a spring, or similar energy absorbing device may be disposed between the mounting block(s) and rib(s); and/or between the rib(s) and pad(s).

Each block may be shaped or profiled such that it affects the relative position of the ribs of the animal contact portion and the pads thereof. One of skill will appreciate that by placing or locating an angled, shaped or profiled block between a rib end and the seat, the relative position of the rib (relative to the seat part of the saddle) may be varied. As such, the position of each rib may not only be adjusted using the multiple rib attachment points on the seat, but also by use of the blocks described herein.

Similarly, the angle or position of the pad at each rib end may be adjusted and/or altered not only by means of the movable fixing between the pad and rib end, but also by means of the location of an angled, profiled or shaped block between the rib end and the pad.

It should be noted that where the saddle comprises mounting blocks (as described above) the blocks may be disposed or located between the rib ends and the mounting blocks, such that the blocks further affect the position of the rib relative to the seat part of the saddle. One of skill will appreciate that by adjusting the angle between the blocks and ribs; and/or adjusting the angle between the ribs and pads necessarily adjusts the angle(s) between the discrete contact locations at the pads and the seat, matching the contour profile of the animal and permitting a bespoke and customised and/or customisable fit.

Blocks of different shape profiles may be used to vary the relative angles between the animal contact portion (and/or each rib thereof) and the seat part of the saddle and/or between the ribs and pads of the animal contact portion, to allow independent adjustment in roll, pitch and yaw orientations or the various parts of the saddle (in particular the ribs and pads relative to the seat part). A saddle of this disclosure may be provided in the form of a kit compromising one or more parts selected from the group consisting of a seat portion, a plurality of ribs (for connecting to the seat portion), a plurality of pads (for connecting to each rib at an end opposite to the rib end connected to the seat part), fixings, tools and a plurality of blocks (as described above) with different properties (in terms of stiffness, resilience and the like) and profiles. The kit may further comprise instructions for use.

A layer of padding may be fitted to the pads, in use, the layer of padding may form a barrier between the pad and the animal. This improves fit and comfort as the layer of padding will allow for small variations in shape and permit fine adjustment of the fit of the saddle. The thickness or material of the padding may be varied. The thickness of the padding may vary across the surface (for example an animal contact surface) of each pad. The padding may be separate (and releasably attachable to) or integral to each pad.. The padding may comprise at least one (for example 1, 2, 3 or more) separate layer(s) which may be attached or removed from the pads. The padding may be provided in sections. The padding may comprise, foam, memory foam, gel, 3D spacer fabric, or the like. A strap or harness arrangement may be fitted to the saddle to allow or facilitate attachment of the saddle to the animal. For example, a strap or harness arrangement may in use be fitted under the barrel of the animal. By such provision, the saddle can be firmly attached to the animal further improving the fit of the saddle and the safety of a rider.

The saddle may comprise various attachment points to allow the attachment of accessories such as stirrups, reins, knee rolls, paniers, covers or the like.

In use, the saddle may be configured to fit a particular animal, e.g. a horse, by attaching the ribs or the animal contact portion of the saddle to the appropriate attachment points on the seat part of the saddle and optionally using shock absorbing blocks to further adjust the position of each rib of the animal contact portion relative to the seat portion of the saddle. Additionally, the position of each pad provided at the end of each rib of the animal contact portion may be adjusted (again relative to the rib or seat part of the saddle) -either by adjusting the fixing between the pad and the rib and/or with the use of profiled or shaped shock absorbing blocks. In this way, the user is able to achieve a precise and accurate fit between the saddle and the particular animal to be ridden.

The proposed saddle comprises a series of six flexible pads, three on either side of the saddle, and the animal when in use. The pads are connected to the bottom or second end of the rib section. Disposed between each rib and the pad is an elastomer block. The elastomer blocks may be shaped, curved or angled. The elastomer blocks can be used to alter the angle of each individual pad independently of one another, to achieve an accurate and customisable fit along the animal's back. The blocks may be compressible and so may also act as a damper or shock absorber. The ribs may be stiff structures which may hold the saddle away from the animal's back. The top or first end of the ribs may be attached to a mounting block which may be located at the base of the seat. The mounting block may be in the form of a U-shaped channel. The mounting block may have a series of attachment holes from which the attachment location of each pad may be varied, thus allowing the distance between opposite pads to be adjusted, to fit a narrower or broader animal as required.

Disposed between each rib and mounting block may be a further elastomer block which may allow the angle between the mounting block and the rib to be adjusted, and may also act as a damper or shock absorber to absorb the rider's movement.

The saddle may be adjustable along its full length, with both the width and angle being variable at each rib and each pad. This adjustability and customisable nature addresses many of the varying horse shapes and sizes preventing many of the saddle fit issues common with the traditional design.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be further described in detail and with reference to the figures which show: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a saddle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the underside, supporting element side of the saddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show side elevation and longitudinal views of the saddle of FIG. 1, where FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are viewed from opposite sides.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show front and rear elevation views of the saddle of FIG. 1 FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the saddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the underside, support element side of the saddle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a connecting element and rib.

FIG. 10 shows a front elevation view of the connecting element and rib of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a section view of the connecting element and rib of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a side elevation of the connecting element and rib of FIG. 9.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

FIGs 1 to 12 show a saddle 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Saddle 1 is suitable for an animal, such as a horse, and comprises a seat portion 21, and an animal contact portion 22.

In use, the animal contact portion 22 is located adjacent the back of the animal (not shown), and the seat portion 21 is located distal to the back of the animal. The saddle 1 has a first end 31 and a second end 32. In use, the first end 31 is located towards the head of the animal, and second end 32 is located towards the rear of the animal.

Seat portion 21 comprises a seat 10.

The animal contact portion 22 comprises three mounting blocks 2 (shown in FIG. 2), which are attached to the underside surface of seat 10 in a generally linear formation, such that one mounting block 2 is behind another. A rib 3 is attached at its first end to a side of each mounting block 2. A second rib 3 is attached at its first end to the opposite side of each mounting block 2, such that a pair of ribs 3 extends from each mounting block 2, which are located opposite each other, and are generally symmetrical about a central axis (A). By such provision, the saddle 1 comprises a total of six ribs 3, with an equal number (three in this case) on each side of the saddle 1. The ribs 3 connect to the mounting blocks 2 and are secured by fastening means 4.

Attached to each of the ribs 3 at their second end, is a pad 6. Therein this embodiment there are a total of six pads 6, three on each side of saddle 1. The pads 6 are connected to the ribs 3 by a further fastening means 7.

Located between the rib 3 and the mounting block 2 is a first elastomer block 5 (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). The first elastomer block 5 is compressible/resilient and as such acts as a shock absorber between the ribs 3 and the mounting block 2. The first elastomer block 5 may also be shaped to affect the relative position of the rib 3 and the seat 21. Elastomer block 5 is interposed between rib 3 and the mounting block 2 and is secured thereto by the first fastening means 4.

Located between pad 6 and the rib 3 is a second elastomer iock 8. The second elastomer block 8 is also resilient/compressible and as such acts as a shock absorber between pads 6 and rib 3. The second elastomer block 8 may also be shaped to provide a desired angle between pad 6 and rib 3. The second elastomer block 8 is interposed between the pad 6 and the rib 3 and is secured thereto by the second fastening means 7.

The pads 6 may define a plurality of holes (not shown) and may also be coated in a layer of padding (not shown).

In use, the animal contact portion 22 supports the seat portion 21 above the back of the animal (not shown), ensuring there is a gap between the underside of the seat portion 21 and the back of the animal.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered for illustrative purposes and are not restrictive, and are not limited to the extent of that described in the embodiment.

Claims

Claims 1. A saddle comprising a seat and an animal contact portion, wherein the animal contact portion comprises plurality of adjustable animal contact points.
2. The saddle of claim 1, wherein the position of one or more of the animal contact points is adjustable relative to the seat.
3. The saddle of any preceding claim, wherein the saddle is a saddle for a horse.
4. The saddle of any preceding claims, wherein the animal contact points contact the animal at discrete positions on the left and right side of the animal.
5. The saddle of any preceding claim, wherein the animal contact portion comprises a plurality of ribs with first and second ends.
6. The saddle of claim 5, wherein the first end of each rib is connected to an underside surface of the seat.
7. The saddle of claims 5 or 6, wherein the second end of each rib is connected to a pad.
8. The saddle of any one of claims 5-7, wherein the point of connection between the first end of each rib and the underside surface of the seat, can be adjusted.
9. The saddle of any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the position of the pad at the second end of each rib can be adjusted.