WO1998021143A1

WO1998021143A1 - Saddle cloth covering the withers

Info

Publication number: WO1998021143A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/002002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacqueline De Jong
Original assignee: Jacqueline De Jong
Priority date: 1996-11-08
Filing date: 1997-11-07
Publication date: 1998-05-22
Also published as: FR2755683A1; FR2755683B1

Abstract

The invention is particularly useful in all fields of horsemanship for riding or otherwise. It concerns a cloth in one or several pieces covering the withers and the saddle with an a cut-out part of ± 15 to 20 cm in length (arrow 4) and twice ± 3 cm in width on either side of the median line (of the backbone - arrow 6). This cut-out part starts from about 3 cm from the front edge of the cloth. The total length of the withers cloth is about 12 cm and slightly reinforced on the sides. The protective cover envelopes the cloth. The cloth is particularly designed for protecting the back of the horse and for avoiding all traumatism of the withers.

Description

SADDLECLOTH COVERING GARROT

This invention relates to a prophylactic mat for placing on the back of a horse. It can be used for any animal likely to be mounted and in all areas of horse riding.

- horse riding - harness

- show horses

The current saddle pads do not cover the tourniquet which generates many problems with the vertebrae. We encounter in particular wounds by friction and edemas, but especially compression problems. In fact, in the event of an anterior displacement of the saddle towards the withers, a fortiori with the weight of the rider, the withers are exposed to repeated trauma. This prototype mat avoids pressure on the first dorsal vertebrae, the latter being particularly fragile in young horses and remaining very sensitive in older horses.

Furthermore, sport horses are generally insufficiently or not at all relaxed at the withers. This is paradoxical since it is a capital location, a real keystone serving as a pendulum and with the help of which the horse can move in good conditions II thus keeps a stable balance between the front and the back hand.

The invention overcomes this drawback; the mat consists of one or more pieces covering both the tourniquet and the saddle, characterized by a notch in the middle of the tourniquet, thus allowing total mobility of the neck. This notch has the particularity of covering the tourniquet without touching it, so without compressing it, which avoids any trauma at this level Laterally, on the withers, this mat is reinforced which does not interfere with freedom of movement and flexibility of the vertebrae.

There are currently various patents ^•

1) Patent DE 3,236,079 A (KIEFFER.) Which consists of a covering placed on the saddle. He opposes my patent since he protects the perineum of the rider while mine protects the back of the horse

2) US patent 5,353,577 Λ (THURSTON) which is a saddle pad but very different from my bi cvct because it is not only reversible, but has lateral openings intended for the passage of the straps and hooks for holding the saddle.

It does not protect the tourniquet. The two drawings presented (fig 1 + 2, from the front) allow a better understanding of the constitution of this set and the various advantages which result from it.

In practice, the protection of the tourniquet, from the 4 ^th " ¹⁶ dorsal vertebra, must make consider an elongation compared to conventional saddle pads of - about 15 to 20 cm (arrow 1 + 3) in the direction of the length - about 11 to 13 cm (arrow 2) in the width direction

The variations given in the lengthwise direction are proportional to the size of the animal (horses with a good withers or withers, or ponies)

Whatever the dimensions adopted according to the size of the animal, it is necessary to insist on the need for a central opening in both cases strictly median and sagittal and starting only 2 to 3 cm after the front edge of the carpet (arrow 5)

This indentation should measure approximately 15 cm of long longitudinal axis (arrow 4) between 4 and 8 cm and preferably 6 cm in width (arrow 6) divided into two (± 3 cm) on each side of the center line The drawing (fig 3) represents the tourniquet mat + saddle seen from above

The dimensions are

- an opening of approximately 6 cm (arrow 1 + l ')

- the notch is central to a center line from the withers (arrow 2) and is approximately 3 cm from the front edge of the carpet

All edges of the mat should be rounded for the sake of grip Finally, it should be noted that depending on the habits of different riding professionals it is possible to attach this mat to the quarters of the saddle with a strap (fig 2, arrow 7)

Constitution of the carpet

The tourniquet + saddle set will consist of a shock absorbing gel or other traumatic material. We can also provide a possible fabric cover, characterized in that it adapts exactly to the carpet and is washable. The carpet will slip into the cover.

Claims

1) Carpet intended to be placed on the back of a horse, or any other animal likely to be mounted, characterized in that it consists of one or more pieces covering both the withers and the saddle aimed at protect the vulnerable and sensitive part of the horse's back and which has a central notch in relation to the midline starting from the withers located approximately 3 cm from the front edge of the mat.

2) Carpet according to claim 1 characterized both by a central notch relative to the midline starting from the withers located about 3 cm from the front edge of the carpet and by a reinforcing means (consisting of a bead) which has for function of not compressing the very long and palpable spinous processes at this location. 3) Carpet according to claim 1 characterized by the elongation compared to conventional saddle pads of about 15 to 20 cm in the direction of the length and from 11 to 13 cm in the direction of the width.

4) Carpet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a strictly median and sagittal central opening and starting only ± 02 to 3 cm after the front edge of the carpet.

5) Carpet according to claim 3, characterized by a notch of about 15 cm. of large longitudinal axis over, preferably, 6 cm. in width divided in two (± 3 cm.) on each side of the center line.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on March 30, 1998 (30.03.98) claims 2 and 5 modified; other claims unchanged (1 page)]

1) Carpet intended to be placed on the back of a horse, or any other animal likely to be mounted, characterized in that it consists of one or more pieces covering both the withers and the saddle aimed at protect the vulnerable and sensitive part of the horse's back and which has a central notch in relation to the midline from the withers located approximately 3 cm from the front edge of the mat

2) Carpet according to claim 1 characterized both by a central notch relative to the center line from the withers located about 3 cm from the front edge of the carpet and by a reinforcing means The front edge of the carpet is connected by a means adjustable closure which allows to widen or decrease the central notch in which the tourniquet or part of the back is housed (fig 2 arrow 5)

3) Carpet according to claim 1 characterized by the elongation compared to conventional saddle pads of about 15 to 20 cm in the lengthwise direction and from 11 to 13 cm in the widthwise direction

4) Carpet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a strictly median and sagittal central opening and starting only ± 02 to 3 cm after the front edge of the carpet

5) Carpet according to claim 3, characterized by a notch of about 15 cm of long longitudinal axis on, preferably, 6 cm in width divided into two (± 3 cm) on each side of the midline The measures are variable depending the size of the animal (2 ^ee page descriptions 7 ^th line)