WO2006083174A1 - A device for a saddle tree - Google Patents

A device for a saddle tree Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006083174A1
WO2006083174A1 PCT/NO2006/000044 NO2006000044W WO2006083174A1 WO 2006083174 A1 WO2006083174 A1 WO 2006083174A1 NO 2006000044 W NO2006000044 W NO 2006000044W WO 2006083174 A1 WO2006083174 A1 WO 2006083174A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
saddle
rider
seat
horse
saddle tree
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2006/000044
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Ragnvald Ness
Original Assignee
Suldal Hestesenter As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Suldal Hestesenter As filed Critical Suldal Hestesenter As
Priority to EP06716720A priority Critical patent/EP1843969A1/en
Publication of WO2006083174A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006083174A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B68—SADDLERY; UPHOLSTERY
    • B68C—SADDLES; STIRRUPS
    • B68C1/00—Saddling equipment for riding- or pack-animals
    • B68C1/02—Saddles
    • B68C1/025—Saddle-trees

Definitions

  • the invention regards a saddle tree, more particularly a saddle tree having dimensionalIy stable front and rear portions and an intermediate seat portion that forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions .
  • a saddle tree The purpose of a saddle tree is to provide the required inherent stability for the saddle , the saddle tree forming a stem to which padding, leather coverings , straps etc . are connected.
  • the saddle tree contributesin giving the rider a stable seating position on the horse, while at the same time allowing changes in the seating position of the rider and changes in the weight load on the seating pad, i . e . the saddle , to be communicated to the horse .
  • the saddle tree generally consists of three sections ; a front portion (pommel) , a middle portion (seat) and a rear portion (cantle) .
  • the main purpose of the front and rear portions is to provide abutment against the horse ' s back and stabilize the saddle .
  • the rear portion provides a rear support for the rider
  • the middle portion forms a seating pad for the rider .
  • a trained rider will be able to communicate with the horse through the middle portion, by using pressure against the various parts of the horse ' s back and thereby using his/her own weight to control the horse .
  • a rigid saddle tree is made by one or more components that are assembled in such as way as to make the entire saddle tree dimensionally stable . It exhibits only to a little extent elastic deformation when subjected to compressive stress , such as from a rider .
  • a rigid saddle tree may be constructed as e . g . a shell or a slatted structure, made from e . g . wood, between a front and a rear frame arch that defines the entire saddle tree .
  • the purpose of the slatted structure is to make the saddle more comfortable, as this type of saddle tree forms a resilient seat for the rider .
  • the springy motion is moderated by building stiffeners , made from e . g .
  • the rigid saddle tree limits the rider ' s possibilities of controlling the horse by means of weight displacement and pressure on the saddle, as a weight displacement or pressure against the saddle will to a great extent be spread to a large part of the saddle .
  • GB patents 1 496 261 and 1 545 671 both describe a rigid saddle tree, over the middle and front portions of which is placed a seat section, the front end of which is attached to the saddle tree, while the middle and rear portions of the seat section are resiliently supported on the saddle tree, providing a resilient seating pad for the rider in the saddle .
  • These saddle trees both exhibit the typically limited possibilities associated with the rigid saddle tree, of conveying nuanced control signals to the horse by using pressure against various parts of the seat portion of the saddle .
  • a pliable saddle tree is made from flexible materials that essentially conform to the shape of the horse ' s back .
  • This type of saddle tree gives the rider the required possibility of feeling the movements of the horse and influencing it by using pressure against various parts of the seat portion of the saddle .
  • the drawback is that a saddle having a flexible saddle tree will to a lesser extent provide the required support for the rider, such as described for the rigid saddle tree .
  • the obj ect of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of prior art .
  • the invention regards a device for a saddle tree, where the tree comprises a front portion (pommel ) , a middle portion ( seat) and a rear portion (cantIe) , the saddle being arranged to provide the required support for a rider, in particular by the front and rear portions being suitable for abutting a horse ' s back, the rear portion being arranged to provide rear support for a rider, and the seat portion being arranged to form the main part of a seating surface for the rider, while at the same time the seat portion is suitable for transmitting a variable pressure load from the rider to various parts of the horse ' s back, where
  • the front and rear portions are separate from each other and made from an essentially dimensionally stable material ;
  • the middle portion is made from an essentially flexible material ;
  • the middle portion forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions .
  • the middle portion (the seat) is provided with at least two seat members , each seat member extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the horse, forming a smooth, essentially continuous surface between the bearing surfaces of the front and rear portions .
  • each seat member is rigidly j oined to the front and rear portions .
  • Fig . 1 is a side view of a saddle tree according to the invention.
  • Fig . 2 is a top view of the saddle tree
  • Fig . 3 is a bottom view of the saddle tree .
  • the front portion (pommel) of a saddle tree, having reference number 1 , and a rear portion 5 of a saddle tree (cantle) are interconnected by an intermediate middle portion (seat) 3.
  • the front and rear portions 1 , 5 are dimensionalIy stable, made from e . g . glass-fibre reinforced plastic or another appropriate material .
  • the front portion 1 is of a shape that , according to prior art, is suitable for providing sufficient lateral stability for a saddle when this is placed on a horse ' s back, which saddle is constructed with the saddle tree as a stem, the front portion 1 having a width, curvature etc . that makes the saddle a good fit for a specific type and/or size of horse .
  • the rear portion 5 has been given a shape and size selected on the basis of the type/size of horse for which the saddle is intended, so that the rear portion 5 contributes to the required lateral stability of the saddle when this is placed on the horse ' s back.
  • the rear portion 5 is bent up at an angle in a manner that is known per se, so as to provide the required rear support for a rider .
  • the middle portion 3 is formed by two elongated, essentially parallel seat members 12 , 13 , each of which is composed of a connecting element 12a, 13a and a panel 12b, 13b .
  • Each end of the connecting element 12a, 13a is rigidly j oined to the front and rear portions 1 , 5 , respectively, by means of several rivets 21 , but may as an alternative be attached by use of any appropriate fixing, e . g . glue .
  • the under faces 11 , 15 of the front and rear portions 1 , 5 are provided with depressions (not shown) for receiving the ends of the connecting elements 12a, 13a, making the under face of the saddle tree a continuous even surface without protrusions to injure the horse ' s back or damage the covering or padding of the saddle .
  • the connecting elements 12a, 13a are made from a flexible material with good flexural characteristics , e . g . a polycarbonate material .
  • the panels 12b, 13b are attached to the top of the connecting elements 12a, 13a, so that the panels 12b, 13b fill the space between the front and rear portions 1 , 5 , making the top surface of the saddle tree a flat surface with no significant protrusions that may damage the covering or padding of the saddle or be a nuisance to the rider .
  • the panels 12b, 13b are attached to the connecting elements 12a, 13a by means of rivets 23 , but may as an alternative be attached by use of any appropriate fixing, e . g . glue .
  • the panels 12b, 13b are made from a material that exhibits sufficient flexibility to move with the underlying connecting elements 12a, 13a without reducing the flexibility of the middle portion 3 of the saddle tree .
  • the dimensionally stable front and rear portions 1 , 5 will provide the required rigidity and stability for the saddle , allowing the rider a steady seating position with the necessary support from the sides and from the rear .
  • the flexible middle portion 3 allows the rider to transmit precise signals to the horse through e . g . sideways displacement of the body or by pressing against the saddle with the thigh, by the pressure then being transmitted to a given area of that part of the horse ' s back which is in contact with the saddle .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
  • Chair Legs, Seat Parts, And Backrests (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A device for a saddle tree, where the saddle tree comprises a front portion (pommel) (1) , a middle portion (seat) (3) and a rear portion (cant Ie) (5) , the saddle being arranged to provide the required support for a rider, in particular by the front and rear portions (1, 5) being arranged to stably abut a horse's back, the rear portion (5) being arranged to form a rear support for a rider, and the seat portion (3) being arranged to form the main part of a seating surface for the rider, while at the same time, the seat portion (3) is suitable for transmitting a variable pressure load from the rider to various parts of the horse's back, where a) the front portion (1) and the rear portion (5) are separate from each other and made from an essentially dimensionally stable material; b) the middle portion (3) is made from an essentially flexible material; and c) the middle portion (3) forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions (1, 5) .

Description

A DEVICE FOR A SADDLE TREE
The invention regards a saddle tree, more particularly a saddle tree having dimensionalIy stable front and rear portions and an intermediate seat portion that forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions .
The purpose of a saddle tree is to provide the required inherent stability for the saddle , the saddle tree forming a stem to which padding, leather coverings , straps etc . are connected. The saddle tree contributesin giving the rider a stable seating position on the horse, while at the same time allowing changes in the seating position of the rider and changes in the weight load on the seating pad, i . e . the saddle , to be communicated to the horse .
The saddle tree generally consists of three sections ; a front portion (pommel) , a middle portion (seat) and a rear portion (cantle) . The main purpose of the front and rear portions is to provide abutment against the horse ' s back and stabilize the saddle . In addition, the rear portion provides a rear support for the rider, and the middle portion forms a seating pad for the rider . A trained rider will be able to communicate with the horse through the middle portion, by using pressure against the various parts of the horse ' s back and thereby using his/her own weight to control the horse .
Today, there exist essentially two main types of saddle trees .
A rigid saddle tree is made by one or more components that are assembled in such as way as to make the entire saddle tree dimensionally stable . It exhibits only to a little extent elastic deformation when subjected to compressive stress , such as from a rider . A rigid saddle tree may be constructed as e . g . a shell or a slatted structure, made from e . g . wood, between a front and a rear frame arch that defines the entire saddle tree . The purpose of the slatted structure is to make the saddle more comfortable, as this type of saddle tree forms a resilient seat for the rider . At the same time , the springy motion is moderated by building stiffeners , made from e . g . steel , into the saddle tree, preventing the pommel and seating pad from moving relative to the horse ' s back. The rigid saddle tree limits the rider ' s possibilities of controlling the horse by means of weight displacement and pressure on the saddle, as a weight displacement or pressure against the saddle will to a great extent be spread to a large part of the saddle .
GB patents 1 496 261 and 1 545 671 both describe a rigid saddle tree, over the middle and front portions of which is placed a seat section, the front end of which is attached to the saddle tree, while the middle and rear portions of the seat section are resiliently supported on the saddle tree, providing a resilient seating pad for the rider in the saddle . These saddle trees both exhibit the typically limited possibilities associated with the rigid saddle tree, of conveying nuanced control signals to the horse by using pressure against various parts of the seat portion of the saddle .
A pliable saddle tree is made from flexible materials that essentially conform to the shape of the horse ' s back . This type of saddle tree gives the rider the required possibility of feeling the movements of the horse and influencing it by using pressure against various parts of the seat portion of the saddle . The drawback is that a saddle having a flexible saddle tree will to a lesser extent provide the required support for the rider, such as described for the rigid saddle tree .
The obj ect of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the drawbacks of prior art .
The object is achieved by the features specified in the description below and in the following Claims .
The invention regards a device for a saddle tree, where the tree comprises a front portion (pommel ) , a middle portion ( seat) and a rear portion (cantIe) , the saddle being arranged to provide the required support for a rider, in particular by the front and rear portions being suitable for abutting a horse ' s back, the rear portion being arranged to provide rear support for a rider, and the seat portion being arranged to form the main part of a seating surface for the rider, while at the same time the seat portion is suitable for transmitting a variable pressure load from the rider to various parts of the horse ' s back, where
a) the front and rear portions are separate from each other and made from an essentially dimensionally stable material ;
b) the middle portion is made from an essentially flexible material ; and
c) the middle portion forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions .
Advantageously, the middle portion ( the seat) is provided with at least two seat members , each seat member extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the horse, forming a smooth, essentially continuous surface between the bearing surfaces of the front and rear portions .
Advantageously, each seat member is rigidly j oined to the front and rear portions .
In the following is described a non-limiting example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings , in which :
Fig . 1 is a side view of a saddle tree according to the invention;
Fig . 2 is a top view of the saddle tree; and
Fig . 3 is a bottom view of the saddle tree .
The front portion (pommel) of a saddle tree, having reference number 1 , and a rear portion 5 of a saddle tree (cantle) are interconnected by an intermediate middle portion (seat) 3. The front and rear portions 1 , 5 are dimensionalIy stable, made from e . g . glass-fibre reinforced plastic or another appropriate material .
The front portion 1 is of a shape that , according to prior art, is suitable for providing sufficient lateral stability for a saddle when this is placed on a horse ' s back, which saddle is constructed with the saddle tree as a stem, the front portion 1 having a width, curvature etc . that makes the saddle a good fit for a specific type and/or size of horse .
Likewise , the rear portion 5 has been given a shape and size selected on the basis of the type/size of horse for which the saddle is intended, so that the rear portion 5 contributes to the required lateral stability of the saddle when this is placed on the horse ' s back. At the same time, the rear portion 5 is bent up at an angle in a manner that is known per se, so as to provide the required rear support for a rider .
The middle portion 3 is formed by two elongated, essentially parallel seat members 12 , 13 , each of which is composed of a connecting element 12a, 13a and a panel 12b, 13b . Each end of the connecting element 12a, 13a is rigidly j oined to the front and rear portions 1 , 5 , respectively, by means of several rivets 21 , but may as an alternative be attached by use of any appropriate fixing, e . g . glue . The under faces 11 , 15 of the front and rear portions 1 , 5 are provided with depressions (not shown) for receiving the ends of the connecting elements 12a, 13a, making the under face of the saddle tree a continuous even surface without protrusions to injure the horse ' s back or damage the covering or padding of the saddle . The connecting elements 12a, 13a are made from a flexible material with good flexural characteristics , e . g . a polycarbonate material .
The panels 12b, 13b are attached to the top of the connecting elements 12a, 13a, so that the panels 12b, 13b fill the space between the front and rear portions 1 , 5 , making the top surface of the saddle tree a flat surface with no significant protrusions that may damage the covering or padding of the saddle or be a nuisance to the rider . The panels 12b, 13b are attached to the connecting elements 12a, 13a by means of rivets 23 , but may as an alternative be attached by use of any appropriate fixing, e . g . glue . The panels 12b, 13b are made from a material that exhibits sufficient flexibility to move with the underlying connecting elements 12a, 13a without reducing the flexibility of the middle portion 3 of the saddle tree .
When a saddle is constructed using the saddle tree of the invention as a stem, the dimensionally stable front and rear portions 1 , 5 will provide the required rigidity and stability for the saddle , allowing the rider a steady seating position with the necessary support from the sides and from the rear . At the same time, the flexible middle portion 3 allows the rider to transmit precise signals to the horse through e . g . sideways displacement of the body or by pressing against the saddle with the thigh, by the pressure then being transmitted to a given area of that part of the horse ' s back which is in contact with the saddle .

Claims

C l a i m s
1. A device for a saddle tree, where the saddle tree comprises a front portion (pommel) (1) , a middle portion ( seat) (3 ) and a rear portion (cantIe) ( 5 ) , the saddle being arranged to provide the required support for a rider, in particular by the front and rear portions (1 , 5 ) being arranged to stably abut a horse ' s back, the rear portion ( 5 ) being arranged to form a rear support for a rider, and the seat portion (3 ) being arranged to form the main part of a seating surface for the rider, while at the same time, the seat portion (3 ) is suitable for transmitting a variable pressure load from the rider to various parts of the horse ' s back, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that
a) the front portion (1) and the rear portion ( 5) are separate from each other and made from an essentially dimensionally stable material ;
b) the middle portion (3 ) is made from an essentially flexible material ; and
c) the middle portion ( 3 ) forms a flexible connection between the front and rear portions ( 1 , 5 ) .
2. A device in accordance with Claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the middle portion (3 ) is provided with at least two seat members (12 , 13 ) , each seat member (12 , 13 ) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the ^
horse, forming a smooth, essentially continuous surface between the bearing surfaces (11 , 15 ) of the front and rear portions ( 1 , 5 ) .
3. A device in accordance with Claim 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that each seat member (12 , 13 ) is rigidly joined to the front and rear portions ( 1 , 5 ) .
PCT/NO2006/000044 2005-02-02 2006-02-01 A device for a saddle tree WO2006083174A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06716720A EP1843969A1 (en) 2005-02-02 2006-02-01 A device for a saddle tree

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20050574 2005-02-02
NO20050574A NO322182B1 (en) 2005-02-02 2005-02-02 Equestrian barrier boom

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006083174A1 true WO2006083174A1 (en) 2006-08-10

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ID=35220605

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NO2006/000044 WO2006083174A1 (en) 2005-02-02 2006-02-01 A device for a saddle tree

Country Status (3)

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EP (1) EP1843969A1 (en)
NO (1) NO322182B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2006083174A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008030103A1 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-13 Equine Fusion As Saddle for riding or carrying a load

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6263647B1 (en) * 1999-10-21 2001-07-24 Pro Saddlery, L.L.C. Horse saddle tree having fabric reinforced rubber bars
US6363698B1 (en) * 1997-10-27 2002-04-02 Mondial Industries, Ltd. Saddle tree
US6434916B1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2002-08-20 Steven C. Tucker Shock absorbing anatomically sculptured saddle seat
US20050120683A1 (en) * 2003-11-13 2005-06-09 Swain Barrie P. Saddle tree including a progressive flex headplate assembly

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6363698B1 (en) * 1997-10-27 2002-04-02 Mondial Industries, Ltd. Saddle tree
US6263647B1 (en) * 1999-10-21 2001-07-24 Pro Saddlery, L.L.C. Horse saddle tree having fabric reinforced rubber bars
US6434916B1 (en) * 2000-04-26 2002-08-20 Steven C. Tucker Shock absorbing anatomically sculptured saddle seat
US20050120683A1 (en) * 2003-11-13 2005-06-09 Swain Barrie P. Saddle tree including a progressive flex headplate assembly

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008030103A1 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-13 Equine Fusion As Saddle for riding or carrying a load
US8261520B2 (en) 2006-09-05 2012-09-11 Equine Fusion As Saddle for riding or carrying a load

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO20050574D0 (en) 2005-02-02
EP1843969A1 (en) 2007-10-17
NO322182B1 (en) 2006-08-21

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