WO2004011117A1

WO2004011117A1 - Horse protector

Info

Publication number: WO2004011117A1
Application number: PCT/AU2003/000950
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Leigh Hopkins
Original assignee: David Leigh Hopkins
Priority date: 2002-07-29
Filing date: 2003-07-29
Publication date: 2004-02-05
Also published as: AU2002950419A0

Abstract

The invention is for a protector (10) to shield a horse from the effects of a whip during racing while allowing the whip to be used in a traditional fashion consisting of a cover (16) having upper (20) and lower (22) first cover layers, the first cover being constructed of breathable materials and an intermediate second cover layer (30) located between the upper and lower layers, the second cover layer extending at least over an area to be subjected to contact with a whip and having shock absorbing properties.

Description

Horse Protector

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a horse protector. The horse protector of the invention is to be used in sports such as harness racing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Horses are traditionally encouraged to run in speed sports by use of a whip. Whips have been used in this fashion for many years. The horse is spurred to work, usually to run harder, by the whip. Both the cracking sound of the whip and the feel of the whip on the horse may have an affect on the performance of the horse. Certainly, in many horse sports, such as harness racing, for example, the use of the whip, especially the sound of the whip creates part of the excitement and atmosphere associated with the sport and is an encouragement to the spectators.

In recent years concerns have arisen in connection with use of the whip. Animal welfare organisations have expressed reservations and suggested that the use of the whip may be physically harmful to the horse and have actively lobbied for the elimination of the whip from sports.

The use of the whip is very much a part of the culture of horse sports and organisers and promoters of such events are reluctant to discontinue use of the whip. However, it is undesirable that use of a whip should cause harm to horses.

It is to this situation that the present invention is addressed and it is an object of the present invention to provide a means of shielding the horse from the effects of the whip whilst allowing the whip to be used in traditional fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, according to a first aspect of the present invention, although this need not be the broadest nor indeed the only aspect of the invention, there is provided a horse protector including: a cover having upper and lower first cover layers, said first cover being layer being constructed of breathable materials; and

an intermediate second cover layer located between said upper and lower first cover layers, said second cover layer extending at least over an area to be subjected to contact with a whip and having shock absorbing properties.

Preferably, the cover layers are shaped so as to fit comfortably over a horse's rear flank area leaving the tail area free.

It has been found by the inventor that a horse protector including the layers as outlined provides a cover having a number of desirable features. The intermediate layer of shock absorbing material serves as a means to absorb the impact from whip action without then transmitting the force to the horse. The horse is thus protected from the severity of force of the whip. However, the whip may still be used in the traditional manner. Accordingly, no change in the action of the driver is required allowing any races to proceed as has been the case to date. Further, the inventor has observed that a horse will respond adequately to the sound of the whip alone and thus, the stimulus to greater performance generated by the use of the whip is maintained.

Preferably, said horse protector additionally includes means for attachment to a horse to thereby secure the cover in position against any movement. More preferably still, the means for attachment to a horse includes one or more straps designed to pass around the without interfering with any movement thereof.

Additionally, it is convenient if the horse protector of the invention includes straps and connectors adapted for connection to other equipment used for example, harnesses and reins.

It is envisaged that the horse protector of the present invention will be used by those involved in racing sports, particularly by those in involved in harness racing.

Accordingly, it is convenient if the horse protector is adapted to receive and display identification numbers on one or more outer faces thereof.

As will be readily appreciated horses undergoing strenuous exercise are prone to sweat. It is therefore preferable that the horse protector is manufactured of a material able to draw sweat away from the body of a horse without itself adsorbing quantities of liquid or becoming uncomfortable for the horse to wear.

The inventor has discovered that a preferred material for the protector of the invention is an open weave mesh material. An open weave material has the advantage of being light weight and allowing air flow through to the body of the horse to promote sweat evaporation and cooling. Other, more dense materials serve to collect the heat around the horse and, by interrupting the evaporation of sweat, promote overheating of the horse which can be unhealthy for the horse and may adversely affect the racing performance of the horse.

However, open weave fabrics are, in general, not especially hard wearing. It is therefore preferable that the protector of the invention is constructed of an open weave PVC or nylon material. This has been found to have the necessary degree of strength and ruggedness that will prolong the life of the protector and withstand the rigours of frequent use.

It has similarly been found that in a device having open weave upper and lower layers constructed of nylon/PVC material an intervening layer of open weave relatively lightweight shock absorbent foam material can be used. Thus the shock absorbing material that might be otherwise insubstantial and easily damaged by repeated contact with a whip is protected from harm by the nylon/PVC.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates in side view a horse protector formed in accordance with the present invention in use;

Figure 2 illustrates the horse protector of figure 1 is side view; and

Figure 3 shows schematically a constructional detail of the horse protector of igure 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Shown in the drawings is a horse protector 10 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The horse protector 10 is shown in figure 1 in position on a horse 12. In the embodiment shown the horse 12 is attached to a sulky 14 for harness racing.

The horse protector 10 includes a cover 16 having a multi-layer construction. The cover 16 includes first, outer, layers being an upper layer 20 and a lower layer 22. The lower layer 22 rests against the horse's side and the upper layer 20 faces outwardly. Each of the outer layers 20 and 22 are constructed of a nylon mesh material as seen to advantage in figure 3. Being made of a mesh material the covers 20, 22 allow for air circulation around the flanks of the horse and prevent accumulation of sweat close to the horse's skin. The nylon material is flexible and yet very strong.

The covers 20 and 22 extend over the rear sides of the horse and are shaped so as to be a comfortable fit around the horse. To this end one or more darts may be made in the fabric to ensure a good fit. In this case, darts are made and are covered with a cover strip 24 to present a neat and attractive appearance.

Between the upper and lower first cover layers 20, and 22 is an intermediate layer 30 as seen in figure 3. The intermediate layer 30 extends at least over an area to be subjected to contact with a whip. In the embodiment under consideration the intermediate layer 30 extends approximately over the rear most half of the protector 10. The intermediate layer 30 is constructed of a shock absorbing foam material and has an open, reticulated, construction that allows for air flow therethrough and serves to allow evaporation of sweat from the horse to prevent moisture build up occurring in use.

The outer layers 20, 22 and the intermediate layer 30 are secured together by a peripheral sewn band 32 that collects each of the separate elements together.

In addition, the intermediate layer 30 secured between the first cover layers 20 and 22 by the peripheral band 32. The intermediate layer 30 is additionally secured between the cover layers 20 and 22 by stitching a free edge 34 of the layer 30 to the first cover layers 20 and 22. As can be seen in the drawings, the first cover layer 20 is adapted to receive printed indicia thereon, and it may accommodate information such as horse numbers, as shown, or, alternatively, advertising indicia. The horse protector 10 is provided with means of securing the device to a horse. First, a strap 36 runs transversely across the device 10 adjacent to a rear edge thereof. The strap 36 is secured in the peripheral bands 32. In addition, a pair of locating tabs 38 secures the position of the strap 36 over the cover area. The locating tabs 38 are positioned generally on either side of a centre line extending along the spine of the horse and towards the rear of the protector 10. Between the two locating tabs 38 a loop 40 is formed in the strap 36. The loop 40 is, in use, serves as a crupper strap and is secured around a horse's tail. The protector 10 is thus secured against movement with the assistance of the horse. Towards the front of the protector 10, and located so as to be adjacent the horse's flank in use, is a pair of adjustable straps 42 which serve to connect to a harness as shown in figure 1. Reins 44 pass through a further pair of straps 46 located on the rear portion of the cover in the centre thereof so as to be on the back of the horse.

In use, as shown the horse protector 10 forms a barrier between the horse and the whip. Advantageously, as shown in the drawings the protector can carry numbers or other indicia used to identify horses.

The invention has been described by way of example. The examples are not, however, to be taken as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Modifications and variations of the invention such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A horse protector including:

-a cover having upper and lower first cover layers, said first cover being layer being constructed of breathable materials; and -an intermediate second cover layer located between said upper and lower first cover layers, said second cover layer extending at least over an area to be subjected to contact with a whip and having shock absorbing properties.

2. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cover layers are shaped so as to fit comfortably over a horse's rear flank area leaving the tail area free.

3. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that said horse protector additionally includes means for attachment to a horse to thereby secure the cover in position against any movement.

4. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that the means for attachment to a horse includes one or more straps designed to pass around the without interfering with any movement thereof.

5. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in the protector additionally includes straps and connectors adapted for connection to other equipment used for example, harnesses and reins.

6. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that at least one portion of the protector is adapted to receive and display indicia thereon such as identification numbers.

7. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that the horse protector is manufactured of a material able to draw sweat away from the body of a horse without itself adsorbing quantities of liquid or becoming uncomfortable for the horse to wear.

8. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that said upper and lower first cover layers are constructed of an open weave mesh material.

9. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that said upper and lower first cover layers are constructed of a hard wearing open weave PVC or nylon material.

10. A horse protector according to claim 1 , characterized in that it includes -a cover having upper and lower first cover layers, said first cover being layer being constructed of breathable open weave open nylon/PVC material materials; and

-an intermediate second cover layer located between said upper and lower first cover layers, said second cover layer extending at least over an area to be subjected to contact with a whip and being constructed of relatively lightweight foam material having shock absorbing properties.