Equestrian rein set

Abstract

An equestrian rein set comprises at least one first rein, one end thereof attachable to a component of a bridle, and at least one second rein. The second rein has attachment means at each end thereof. The attachment means at one end of the second rein is configured for attachment to a saddle and the attachment means at another end of the second rein element is configured for attachment to the first rein.

Claims

1. A combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set for a riding horse, the combination comprising: a bridle; a saddle; and an equestrian rein set comprising: a pair of first reins, each first rein of the pair of first reins having: two opposing ends, one end comprising a first attachment means attachable to a component of the bridle such that the first reins attach to the component on respective opposing sides of the bridle, and the other end comprising a second attachment means, the second attachment means of the pair of first reins being complementary such that the second attachment means are matingly attachable to each other to connect the first reins to each other, and an intermediate portion between the two opposing ends, the intermediate portion comprising at least one attachment element, and a pair of second reins, each second rein of the pair of second reins having: two opposing ends, one end comprising third attachment means configured for attachment to the saddle such that the second reins attach to the saddle on respective opposing sides of the saddle, and the other end comprising fourth attachment means configured for attachment to the at least one attachment element of a respective first rein of the pair of first reins; wherein, in use, each second rein of the pair of second reins extends directly from the saddle to the respective first rein of the pair of first reins to which the second rein is attached.

2. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according claim 1, wherein each second rein of the pair of second reins includes a resilient part.

3. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment element comprises a plurality of spaced apart attachment elements.

4. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment element is a hole or a D-ring.

5. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according to claim 1, wherein the third attachment means and/or the fourth attachment means is configured to attach to a D-ring.

6. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according to claim 1, wherein the third attachment means and/or the fourth attachment means includes at least one of one of: a clip, a strap, a tie and a buckle.

7. The combination of a bridle, a saddle and an equestrian rein set according to claim 1, wherein each first rein of the pair of first reins has an inner surface and an outer surface and wherein each second rein of the pair of second reins is attachable to the inner surface of the respective first rein of the pair of first reins.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of example:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in plan view of the equestrian rein;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in plan view of the equestrian rein in use;

(4) FIG. 3 is schematic representation in side view of the equestrian rein attached to an equine; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the component parts of the equestrian rein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate an equestrian rein set according to the invention, the rein set comprising two first reins 1. One end of each first rein 1 comprises attachment means 2 for attachment of the reins 1 to a part of a bridle, for example a bit. The attachment means 2 may be buckles, billets, loops or clips. Alternatively, the end 2 of the rein 1 may be stitched on to a bit ring for example. The other end of each first rein 1 attach to one another. One of the first reins 1 is provided with a buckle 8 with the other of the first reins including a hole 8a for receiving the prong of the buckle, thereby attaching the two first reins 1 together.

(7) Each rein 1 includes a plurality of holes 3. These holes 3 allow a buckle to attach to the rein 1.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) FIG. 2 shows the rein set of the invention with the first reins 1 attached to the rings 10 of a bit 9, and the clips 7 of the second reins 4 attached to D-rings 12 of a saddle 11. Clips 7 need not be used. An alternative attachment means such as a strap may be used. For example a leather strap with a buckle could be used as an alternative to the clips 7 illustrated.

(11) FIG. 3 illustrates the rein set of the invention in use on a saddled equine. The equine is equipped with a bridle 13 which supports the bit (see bit 9 in FIG. 2). Each first rein 1 attaches to one of the bit rings 10. The first reins 1 are used by a rider in a conventional manner. Each second rein 4 attaches to one of the first reins 1 and the saddle 11, in this illustrated embodiment attaching to the D-rings 12.

(12) FIG. 4 illustrates the component parts of the rein set of the invention separated from one another, and also shows extension pieces 14, which attach to buckles 6 of the second reins to make each second rein longer, thereby allowing the same second reins to be used with different sized equines.

(13) The action of the rein set will now be described with articular reference to FIG. 3. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, with the second rein 4 slack (as shown in FIG. 3) the second rein 4 has very little effect on the first rein 1 and hence the bit 9 and the equine. The rider may use the first reins 1 in the same manner as if the second reins 4 were not present. However, if the equine should extend its head forward or lower its head towards the ground, the second reins 4 would come into tension and where the second reins 4 include a resilient part they would stretch. At the point the second reins 4 come into tension a force is exerted on the equine's mouth via the bit 9. Assuming that the rider is not pulling on the first reins 1, the force exerted on the bit 9 by the second reins 4 is independent of the rider. This is particularly beneficial for young riders whose equine mounts often have an inclination to seek to eat grass whilst being ridden. The dropping of the head to eat grass can pull a child out of the saddle over the equine's head, or simply unbalance the child. The rein set is also useful for inexperience riders when learning to ride. The second reins may be adjusted in length so that a light contact is made by the bit on the equine's mouth. The inexperienced rider may then ride without having to be too concerned about controlling the speed of the equine through the bit, whilst attempting to sit in a balanced fashion in the saddle. The rein set of the invention may also be useful in the training of young equines or equines with undesirable habits, particularly where the second reins include a resilient part that stretches when a tension force is applied thereto. For example, with a young equine, the presence of second rein may teach the young equine how to carry itself so that the bit is most comfortable in its mouth, self-adjustment of the equine's carriage changing the tension in the second reins. Another use for the rein set would be with an equine that is in the habit of snatching at the bit. The action of snatching at the bit would result in a force being exerted on the bit by virtue of the second reins 4. Such snatching would not unbalance the rider since the first reins 1 should not be pulled from the rider's hands.

(14) 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.

(15) 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.

(16) 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.

(17) The rein set may be made from any suitable material used in the manufacture of bridles and reins. Such materials including leather and webbing.

(18) The rein set may be made in a variety of difference sizes to suit difference sized equines.