The present invention relates to an improved equestrian rein set, and in particular to an equestrian rein set that may be used in a conventional manner, yet is adapted to provide a rein aid to the equine independently of the rider.
Control of an equine, most typically a horse or pony, whilst being ridden under saddle and bridle is achieved by the rider and depends on the rider's level of ability and physical attributes. The riders achieves control of the equine through the seat, that is the distribution of the rider's weight to the body of the equine through the saddle; through the reins; and by changing the position of the rider's legs with respect to the body of the equine.
In order to become an effective rider and work in co-operation with an equine, riders must learn to use their hands independently of their seat and legs. Riders seek to maintain a soft consistent contact with the equine's mouth through the reins, hands and arms. If an equine leans on the reins or pulls its head down the rider may have problems controlling the equine. Such habits may cause the rider to lose confidence, balance and control of the equine. This is a particular problem for young children, who do not have the strength or weight of adults and who may not have the riding experience or ability of older riders. It is not uncommon for an equine, particularly a child's pony, to reach down for grass whist being ridden. Often inexperience children will be pulled forward out of the saddle. The child may be pulled forward such that it is unbalanced, losing control, or may be pulled right out of the saddle and fall to the ground.
This is not a new problem. Many forms of bridle work have been developed to address this. For example, a type of rein known as a “grass rein” is commonly used. A “grass rein” is separate from the rein held in the rider's hands. One type of grass rein is attached at one end to the bit ring and at the other end to the saddle, usually to one of the saddle's D-rings. Such grass reins are typically used in pairs. Another type of grass rein extends from one of the saddle's b-rings, through one of the bit rings, over the equine's poll, through the other bit ring and back to a D-ring on the opposite side of the saddle. These grass reins work in different ways. The first type provides a fixed length of rein so that if the equine snatches or lowers its head, a force is exerted on the bit. The second type again provides a fixed length of rein, but exerts pressure on the poll as well as on the bit.
Both these types of “grass rein” can be effective in preventing an equine from lowering its head and/or snatching at the bit. However, they are considered by some to be unsightly, some equines resist them and in some competitive disciplines they are not permitted.
It is not just in children's riding where the rider may experience the reins being pulled out of the hands. Adult riders may experience this also. The equine may snatch at the bit, and hence the reins and rider's hands, out of habit or due to discomfort in the mouth, or lack of experience in being controlled by a rider through the bridle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,426,716 illustrates a control device for horses that is very similar to the first type of “grass rein” described above.
A number of attempts, in addition to the use of “grass reins” as described above, have been made to develop bridles that address the above-mentioned problems.
For example, DE 3,201,931 describes a rein that includes a flexible element at the end of the rein that attaches to the bit. The flexible element extends between the bit ring and a clip attached to the rein. Without any force exerted on the rein, the end of the rein between the bit ring an the clip lies loose. When the rider exerts a force on the rein, force example to ask the equine to slow down, that force must first stretch the flexible element to the same length as the length of rein between the bit ring and the clip before the full force from the rider may be transferred to the bit. Hence, there is a gradual build up of force on the bit. It is asserted that such reins are beneficial for riders who fidget with their hands or use their hands too harshly.
FR 2,930,537 describes a variation on a “draw rein”, the variation being that instead of the draw rein passing through the bit rings, it passes through rings attached by clips to the ends of the reins proximate the bit rings and that the ends of the draw rein that attach to the saddle do so by means of an elastic element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,062 describes a variation on a rein that is known as both a, “German Martingale” and a “Market Narborough”. Such a device in effect combines a conventional rein with a draw rein. A conventional rein attaches to the bit rings and two second reins extend from the girth, through the bit rings and attach to clips on the standard reins. The variation described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,062 is that instead of the second reins attaching to the girth under the body of the equine, the second reins attach to D-rings on the saddle.
Both FR 2,930,537 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,062 multiply the amount of force a rider can exert on the equine through the bit through the mechanical advantage provided by securing the reins at one end to the saddle or girth of the equine. Such items of equipment would not normally be considered suitable for children or other inexperienced riders.
WO 99/37579 describes an equestrian control aid which in addition to the standard reins held in the rider's hands provides to each side of the equine's head a rein that extends from the D-ring of the saddle, through the bit, through a clip attached to the bridle proximate the brow band thereof, and back to through the D-ring, forming a triangular loop. The rein that forms the control aid may be substantially inextensible or may include a flexible part.
None of the attempts to address the above described problems address the problem of appearance. Furthermore, all of the above-mentioned devices, with the exception of the rein described in DE 3,201,931 would add considerably to the time required to prepare the equine to be ridden.
It is therefore the aim of the invention to provide an improved rein that is effective in preventing an equine from lowering its head or snatching at the bit, is quick and straightforward to attach, and which is not unsightly.
According to the invention there is provided an equestrian rein set comprising at least one first rein, one end thereof attachable to a component of a bridle, and at least one second rein, the second rein having attachment means at each end thereof, wherein the attachment means at one end of the second rein is configured for attachment to a saddle and wherein the attachment means at another end of the second rein element is configured for attachment to the first rein.
Preferably, the equestrian rein set comprises two first reins and two second reins, each of the first reins attachable to components of the bridle on opposing sides of the bridle, and each of the second reins attachable to a respective one of the first reins and the saddle.
Advantageously, the or each second rein element includes a resilient part.
Advantageously, the first rein comprises at least one attachment element to which the second rein element may attach.
The first elongate rein may comprise a plurality of spaced apart attachment elements.
The attachment element may be a hole or a D-ring.
The attachment means of the second rein may be configured to attach to a D-ring.
The attachment means at one or both ends of the second rein may include at least one of one of: a clip, a strap, a tie and a buckle.
The or each first rein may have an inner surface and an outer surface and the second rein may be attachable to the first rein from the inside thereof.
In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of example:
Each rein 1 includes a plurality of holes 3. These holes 3 allow a buckle to attach to the rein 1.
The rein set comprises two second reins 4. Each second rein 4 includes attachment means at each end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, at one end of second rein 4 the attachment means is in the form of a buckle 6, the prong 6a of which engages one of the holes 3 in the first rein 1, thereby attaching the second rein 4 to the first rein 1. The attachment means at other end of the second rein 4 comprises a spring loaded clip 7, which is opened for attachment to and release from D-rings mounted on a saddle.
Each second rein 4 includes a part 5 formed of a resilient material, such as elastic, so that when a tension force is applied to the second rein 4 the part 5 will stretch.
The action of the rein set will now be described with articular reference to
Another advantage of the rein set of the invention is that the second reins are unobtrusive, and do not affect the appearance of the equine when tacked up.
The rein set of the invention has been described with the second reins being attached to the D-rings of the saddle. Of course the second reins could be attached to another part of the saddle, such as the girth straps. However, the D-rings present a convenient attachment point.
The rein set of the invention has been described with reference to attachment to a bit. However, equines are also ridden using bitless bridles. With a bitless bridle the reins are attached to a part of the bridle through which a controlling force may be transferred via the reins from the rider to the equine. The first rein of the rein set of the invention may of course be attached to part of a bitless bridle.
The rein set may be made from any suitable material used in the manufacture of bridles and reins. Such materials including leather and webbing.
The rein set may be made in a variety of difference sizes to suit difference sized equines.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1403325.2 | Feb 2014 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2015/050317 | 2/5/2015 | WO | 00 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2015/128602 | 9/3/2015 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
66312 | Donehoo | Jul 1867 | A |
88210 | Reardon | Mar 1869 | A |
347162 | Davis | Aug 1886 | A |
781176 | Barrick | Jan 1905 | A |
1030022 | Shank | Jun 1912 | A |
1159291 | Telford | Nov 1915 | A |
2426716 | Telford | Sep 1947 | A |
5094062 | Clark | Mar 1992 | A |
6725810 | Schwartz | Apr 2004 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2851073 | Jun 1980 | DE |
3201931 | Aug 1983 | DE |
202011101439 | Aug 2011 | DE |
2537795 | Dec 2012 | EP |
727424 | Jun 1932 | FR |
2930537 | Oct 2009 | FR |
WO9937579 | Jul 1999 | WO |
Entry |
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Machine translation of FR 727424 to Franchomme, dated Jun. 1932. |
Machine translation of EP 2537795 to Micropoulos, dated Dec. 2012. |
International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT Application Serial No. PCT/GB2015/050317, dated Sep. 3, 2015, 13 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20160368759 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |