A horse training device which is adjustable to fit various sizes of horse heads and neck sizes. The training device includes a generally U-shaped bosal-like member having a forward end and first and second legs extending rearwardly therefrom. A first ring is secured to the rearward ends of the first and second legs. A first U-shaped strap has its lower ends secured to second and third rings secured to the first and second legs respectively. A second strap has one end thereof secured to a cross-member which extends between the first and second legs. The other end of the second strap has a fourth ring member secured thereto. The lower ends of a U-shaped third strap are secured to the fourth ring. A U-shaped fourth strap is connected to the first and third straps and extend around the head of the horse below the ears of the horse.

A releasable securing arrangement for securing a moveable object. A hook arrangement is attached to the moveable object. A releasable connection is attached to a fixed object. A strap extends between the hook arrangement and the releasable connection. The hook arrangement is attached to a first end section of the strap. The releasable connection is attached to a second end section of the strap. The releasable connection includes first and second interlocking parts, the first interlocking part being longitudinally spaced from the second interlocking part along the strap. A foldable strap area extends between the first interlocking part and the second interlocking part to enclose the fixed object, the first and second interlocking parts meeting and interlocking at one side of the fixed object. The interlocked first and second interlocking parts separate when force applied onto the releasable connection by the moveable object exceeds a predetermined force limit.

The essence of this invention is the use of the floating cam-lock washer that replaces the center bar on a typical buckle. The buckle base consists of a plate with a figure-eight hole in the center. The non-looped end of the rope halter is inserted from the underside of the buckle and pulled through to the point of adjustment on the horse. The non-looped end of the rope halter is then inserted and pulled through the cam-lock washer and inserted back through the buckle base to exit on the underside of the buckle. The non-looped end of the rope halter is then pulled tight to the top of the buckle with the washer at a 90 degree position to the base of the buckle. To lock the buckle in place, the washer is rotated 90 degrees to a parallel position with the buckle base. To unlock the buckle, the washer is rotated 90 degrees back to a vertical positionthis reduces the pressure of the non-looped end of the rope halter with respect to the buckle base and allows the buckle, on the non-looped end of the rope halter rope, to be easily slid through the base and the floating washer to tighten or loosen the rope halter. The fact that the washer is floating rather than attached makes the adjustment process much easier as the non-looped end of the rope halter does not have to bend through a tight arrangement of fixtures.

This buckle and cam-lock washer combination is also significantly easier to manufacture and less expensive than similar mechanical attachments. The base is a simple plate with a hole cut in it and the washer is a common commercial size and shape. It is the unique relationship between the base and the washer that creates the cam-locking solution to holding the buckle in place and serve as an attachment for the rope halter.

The essence of this invention is the use of the floating cam-lock washer that replaces the center bar on a typical buckle. The buckle base consists of a plate with a figure-eight hole in the center. The non-looped end of the rope halter is inserted from the underside of the buckle and pulled through to the point of adjustment on the horse. The non-looped end of the rope halter is then inserted and pulled through the cam-lock washer and inserted back through the buckle base to exit on the underside of the buckle. The non-looped end of the rope halter is then pulled tight to the top of the buckle with the washer at a 90 degree position to the base of the buckle. To lock the buckle in place, the washer is rotated 90 degrees to a parallel position with the buckle base. To unlock the buckle, the washer is rotated 90 degrees back to a vertical positionthis reduces the pressure of the non-looped end of the rope halter with respect to the buckle base and allows the buckle, on the non-looped end of the rope halter rope, to be easily slid through the base and the floating washer to tighten or loosen the rope halter. The fact that the washer is floating rather than attached makes the adjustment process much easier as the non-looped end of the rope halter does not have to bend through a tight arrangement of fixtures.

This buckle and cam-lock washer combination is also significantly easier to manufacture and less expensive than similar mechanical attachments. The base is a simple plate with a hole cut in it and the washer is a common commercial size and shape. It is the unique relationship between the base and the washer that creates the cam-locking solution to holding the buckle in place and serve as an attachment for the rope halter.

A horseback riding apparatus embodiment is described that includes a saddle mountable over a body of a horse, a bridle mountable over a head of a horse, a main rein connected to the bridle and a rein keeper connectable to the main rein and the saddle. The rein keeper has a first end, an elongated strap, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end can be slidably connectable to the main rein, and the second end can be fixedly connectable to the saddle. The elongated strap has a strap length, wherein at least a portion of the strap length is extensible to allow a horse head to freely move between a raised position and a resting position and wherein the rein keeper is graspable by a rider seated on the saddle.

A horseback riding apparatus embodiment is described that includes a saddle mountable over a body of a horse, a bridle mountable over a head of a horse, a main rein connected to the bridle and a rein keeper connectable to the main rein and the saddle. The rein keeper has a first end, an elongated strap, and a second end opposite to the first end. The first end can be slidably connectable to the main rein, and the second end can be fixedly connectable to the saddle. The elongated strap has a strap length, wherein at least a portion of the strap length is extensible to allow a horse head to freely move between a raised position and a resting position and wherein the rein keeper is graspable by a rider seated on the saddle.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods useful for providing a visual indication to the rider of a horse of one or more inputs, such as the pitch of the head of a horse. The apparatuses and methods are useful in connection with the sport of dressage. The rider can be notified of a position or orientation of the horse's head, of rein tension, of the rider's body position or orientation, of a current location within a course or routine, of a warning, or of other information. The visual indication can be in the form of an illuminated light source.

Disclosed are apparatuses and methods useful for providing a visual indication to the rider of a horse of one or more inputs, such as the pitch of the head of a horse. The apparatuses and methods are useful in connection with the sport of dressage. The rider can be notified of a position or orientation of the horse's head, of rein tension, of the rider's body position or orientation, of a current location within a course or routine, of a warning, or of other information. The visual indication can be in the form of an illuminated light source.

A releasable securing arrangement for securing a moveable object. A hook arrangement is attached to the moveable object. A releasable connection is attached to a fixed object. A strap extends between the hook arrangement and the releasable connection. The hook arrangement is attached to a first end section of the strap. The releasable connection is attached to a second end section of the strap. The releasable connection includes first and second interlocking parts, the first interlocking part being longitudinally spaced from the second interlocking part along the strap. A foldable strap area extends between the first interlocking part and the second interlocking part to enclose the fixed object, the first and second interlocking parts meeting and interlocking at one side of the fixed object. The interlocked first and second interlocking parts separate when force applied onto the releasable connection by the moveable object exceeds a predetermined force limit.

A safety device for equestrian sports uses at least one hook-and-loop fastener for connecting ends of the control lines for guiding a horse such that the ends of the control lines will separate and thereby stop a fallen rider or driver from being dragged by a horse or a horse drawn vehicle.