A saddle tree comprising a back engaging element (3) for engaging and sitting on the back of an animal and a seat forming element (4) resiliently coupled to the back engaging element (3) adjacent the pommel (5) by a pair of resilient mounting members (8). A limit strap (17) is anchored to the back engaging element (3) and is adjustably coupled to the seat forming element (4) by a ratchet mechanism (20). The limit strap (17) terminates in a grippable element (32) which is releasably grippable by the ratchet mechanism (20). By urging the grippable element (32) in the direction of the arrow A through the ratchet mechanism (20), the limit of upward travel of the seat forming element (4) relative to the back engaging element (3) is reduced, thereby effectively hardening the saddle.

A saddle tree comprising a back engaging element (3) for engaging and sitting on the back of an animal and a seat forming element (4) resiliently coupled to the back engaging element (3) adjacent the pommel (5) by a pair of resilient mounting members (8). A limit strap (17) is anchored to the back engaging element (3) and is adjustably coupled to the seat forming element (4) by a ratchet mechanism (20). The limit strap (17) terminates in a grippable element (32) which is releasably grippable by the ratchet mechanism (20). By urging the grippable element (32) in the direction of the arrow A through the ratchet mechanism (20), the limit of upward travel of the seat forming element (4) relative to the back engaging element (3) is reduced, thereby effectively hardening the saddle.

Saddle comprising a central part having a top surface for providing a seat to a rider, a lower surface having a curvature for adapting to a back of a horse, elongated pad members coupled to said central part for forming a cushion, connecting places for mechanically coupling a reinforcing member to said central part for imposing a given curvature to said lower surface. The saddle is characterized in that it further comprises a hinge, mechanically coupled to the lower surface of the central part, for facilitating a modification of said curvature, and for coupling a reinforcing member to said central part, said connecting places being located on a portion of the hinge that is accessible from the lower surface of the central part.

Saddle comprising a central part having a top surface for providing a seat to a rider, a lower surface having a curvature for adapting to a back of a horse, elongated pad members coupled to said central part for forming a cushion, connecting places for mechanically coupling a reinforcing member to said central part for imposing a given curvature to said lower surface. The saddle is characterized in that it further comprises a hinge, mechanically coupled to the lower surface of the central part, for facilitating a modification of said curvature, and for coupling a reinforcing member to said central part, said connecting places being located on a portion of the hinge that is accessible from the lower surface of the central part.

A piezoelectric adaptive mesh includes multiple piezoelectric fibers that include piezoelectric structures that can act as sensor and/or actuators to enhance a person's comfort. The piezoelectric structures communicate with a controller and/or a software processing system and may identify the position of a user and make adjustments through the actuators to increase user comfort by providing support, assistance, treatment, and/or temperature adjustment.

A piezoelectric adaptive mesh includes multiple piezoelectric fibers that include piezoelectric structures that can act as sensor and/or actuators to enhance a person's comfort. The piezoelectric structures communicate with a controller and/or a software processing system and may identify the position of a user and make adjustments through the actuators to increase user comfort by providing support, assistance, treatment, and/or temperature adjustment.

A horse saddle with a frame and a body. The frame may be a metal bar and the body may be rotationally molded, over molded or utilize other manufacturing techniques to at least partially enclose the frame in the body, and the exposed portions of the frame functioning as D-rings for rigging loads to the saddle. The saddle functions both for riding, packing or both riding and packing. The saddle may include a metal of a first material and a body of a second material. The body may be mostly hollow and be lightweight with improved comfort resulting from depressions in the saddle seat.

A horse saddle with a frame and a body. The frame may be a metal bar and the body may be rotationally molded, over molded or utilize other manufacturing techniques to at least partially enclose the frame in the body, and the exposed portions of the frame functioning as D-rings for rigging loads to the saddle. The saddle functions both for riding, packing or both riding and packing. The saddle may include a metal of a first material and a body of a second material. The body may be mostly hollow and be lightweight with improved comfort resulting from depressions in the saddle seat.

In some examples, a saddle tree having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the saddle tree includes a proximal-most segment, a distal-most segment, at least one intermediate segment disposed between the proximal-most segment and the distal-most segment, a first articulation mechanism coupling each of the at least one intermediate segment to proximal ones, and a second articulation mechanism coupling each of the at least one intermediate segment to distal ones.

In some examples, a saddle tree having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end, the saddle tree includes a proximal-most segment, a distal-most segment, at least one intermediate segment disposed between the proximal-most segment and the distal-most segment, a first articulation mechanism coupling each of the at least one intermediate segment to proximal ones, and a second articulation mechanism coupling each of the at least one intermediate segment to distal ones.