Patent Application
20130112154
Existing masks/muzzles are used when a horse is not being ridden. They prevent a horse from over eating while in a stall, pasture, or paddock and are designed to attach to a halter.
They cannot be worn with a bridle because it is too heavy and cumbersome and cannot fit around a bit on a horses bridle.
The grazing mask is designed for the purpose of withstanding many consecutive hours of use on a grazing horse on a daily basis.
Grazing Masks are made from heavy strapping interwoven to create spaces large enough for the horse to draw grass/hay through, sometimes with heavy rubber/plastic reinforcement in the areas meant to withstand the constant pressure & friction generated by an actively grazing horse.
Grazing Masks are meant to be worn on a halter, when the horse is at liberty in the stall or pasture. The attachment systems are robust and are meant to give way only under extreme pressure.
There is a need for a muzzle which can be used when a horse is being ridden. This will prevent a horse from eating while being ridden, driven, or worked in hand.
The bridle muzzle is designed to attach to a bridle and provides a sturdy lightweight design fitted around the horses bit without any interference of breathing or control of the horse. The bridle muzzle prevents a horse from “snacking” while under saddle. And can be used temporarily as a training aid to teach a horse not to eat when bridled or can be used constantly during riding to keep your riding “wrestle” free.
Bridle masks are constructed form lightweight mesh allowing for maximum airflow and will not interfere with the horse's breathing, while the tiny openings in the mesh eliminate any possibility of the horse drawing grass or leaves into his mouth while in work. The mask is designed with lowered sides so that it does not interfere with the action of the bit. Bridle Masks are meant to be worn with a bridle, wherever and whenever the horse is being worked. The attachment system is simple and will quickly & securely attach to any noseband, yet will give way under firm pressure, ensuring the safety of both horse and rider/handler.
It provides the following benefits:
Designed for the comfort and safety of the horse.
Will not interfere with bit.
Does not interfere with control of the horse.
Does not inhibit breathing.
Allows horse to easily snort out bugs.
Straps with fasteners designed to allow rapid easy release so horse will not panic if mask gets caught.
Durable, tear resistant.
Easy to maintain.
Can be utilized on all horses, including drafts and ponies.
Safer and more effective than grass reins.
The bridle muzzle (1) provides an enclosure surrounding the mouth area of the horse which is easily attached and removed from the bridle and does not interfere with the bit or reins. Numerous configurations of the bridle muzzle are possible. In the embodiment depicted on
The straps in
The above illustrates various concepts, structures and techniques which are the subject of this patent. It will not become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structures and techniques may be used. Accordingly, it is submitted that that scope of the patent should not be limited to the described embodiments but rather should be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.
