METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND CORRECTING THE POSITION OF A SADDLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining the current position of a saddle placed on a riding animal and, if necessary, correcting this position. State of the art

[0002] DE 10 2011 053 233 A1 relates to a device for the three-dimensional imaging of horse backs, in which the horse's back is essentially measured to provide a basis for the production of a precisely fitting saddle. This document also mentions a tool similar to a herringbone, which is placed on the horse's back. The tool has several parallel, flexible metal rods arranged at an angle of 90° on a connecting piece. The rods are bent so that they adapt to the contours of the horse's back. To measure the horse's back, a back ruler is used, which rests on the horse's back at two points and can also be telescopic. A type of matrix is created from the measurement points, and the resulting three-dimensional model is then used to produce a customized saddle. However, this document does not mention any subsequent adjustment of a saddle misalignment.

[0003] EP 2 476 372 B1 mentions that there is a nationwide system for measuring horse backs.

[0004] EP 1 321 429 B1 describes a method for producing a saddle individually adapted to the horse's anatomy. This method involves first constructing a saddle tree, then placing pads on the back. These pads are filled with a moldable mass that solidifies when heated. While this method provides for individual adjustment of the horse's saddle, it does not take into account that the horse's anatomy may subsequently change, for example, due to weight gain, horse illness, insufficient exercise, and riding, particularly due to incorrect rider posture.

[0005] The DE 10 2013 105 052 B4 ,Describes a method in which the saddle pressure on the horse's back is measured using a pressure-measuring mat placed beneath the saddle. The pressure distribution beneath the saddle is recorded and transmitted wirelessly or via a similar device to a display unit. A video recording can also be provided, showing the saddle pressure values synchronously while the horse is being ridden. Furthermore, the pressure distribution beneath the saddle can be recorded and displayed during a period of movement, allowing changes in position resulting from the animal's gait to be detected.

[0006] The document DE 10 2011 055 295 A1 describes a method for reproducing the back area of a horse.

[0007] WO 2005 / 100914 A1 describes an inclination sensor for establishing and monitoring the balance of riding saddles with a curved or curvature-like track, which has a contact surface that follows the course of the curved or curvature-like track, and an element that is freely movable along this track under the influence of gravity, the position of which within the track is visible. With such an inclination sensor, only the lowest point of a riding saddle can be determined depending on the load.

[0008] The applicant has determined that there are a number of factors that can cause a saddle originally designed for a specific horse and individually tailored to a specific rider to no longer maintain an optimal and even position on the horse's back over time. This can have a particularly adverse impact on the horse's health.

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for determining the current position of a saddle placed on a riding animal, by means of which such changes can be detected so that the corresponding corrections can then be made to the saddle in order to optimally adapt the saddle to the physique of the riding animal under the changed conditions.

[0010] The solution to the above-mentioned problem is provided by a method of the type mentioned at the outset with the features of claim 1.

[0011] According to the invention, the method is characterized by the following steps: a) Determination of a reproducible reference value of the position for a specifically designed saddle in a position assumed to be optimal when the saddle is placed on a specific mount; b) Determination of deviations of the saddle position from the previously determined reference value at a later point in time; c) Changing at least one parameter relating to a design feature of the specific saddle, if a previously defined tolerance level of deviation from the reference value was previously determined in step b), until the reference value of the position for this specific saddle is again reached in the position of the saddle on the specific mount assumed to be optimal;d) the reference value being an angular position relative to the horizontal of an elongated device which is at least partially approximately rod-shaped and which is placed on two defined support points, preferably on the cantle and the cantle of the saddle placed on the riding animal.

[0012] The method according to the invention is suitable for all saddles with a saddle tree. Saddles from different manufacturers usually have different centers of gravity. However, a saddle can essentially be divided into three parts, and then the center of gravity is usually always in the middle third of the saddle. The lowest point of the saddle should preferably be in the front third of the middle third of the saddle. This generally applies to saddles from almost all manufacturers. The plumb line to the lowest point of the horse's back is usually at the transition to the withers. The rider's standing axis should be congruent with the axis of the saddle and the axis of the horse. The saddle should lie evenly on the horse's back if the horse has well-developed muscles. Ideally, only a thin, firm saddle pad should be placed under the saddle to absorb sweat.

[0013] The expert is able to determine, in accordance with the above-mentioned conditions, the assumed optimal position of the saddle when the saddle is placed on a specific riding animal, so that a reproducible reference value can be derived from this position of the saddle.

[0014] Once a reference value has been established in the manner described above, it can be determined at a later time by re-determining the saddle position whether there is a deviation from the reference value and whether this deviation exceeds a previously defined tolerance. For minor deviations that are within the tolerance, it is usually sufficient to make no changes to the saddle but to continue monitoring the development and, for example, to re-check at a later time to see whether the deviation from the reference value has increased.

[0015] If, however, there is a deviation from the reference value that exceeds the previously defined tolerance level, at least one design feature of the saddle must be changed in order to then determine in a new measurement whether the design change has been successful and whether the reference value is now again complied with.

[0016] There are a number of reasons that can lead to deviations from the reference value. One reason is, for example, a change in the horse's musculature, if the horse has too few basic muscles. Other anatomical changes in the horse can be present, for example: the horse is overbuilt, the horse is sunken in between the shoulder blades at the front, the horse has asymmetrical musculature, the horse has shoulder blades that are different heights or widths at the front or back. The horse's fat can have an influence. The horse's gait can play a role, for example if the horse does not step correctly under the center of gravity or if the horse does not start off quickly enough in the front area of the body, for example if the toe is too long.

[0017] If deviations of the aforementioned type exist, the saddle's low point and angle must be restored as accurately as possible according to the method of the invention to promote the horse's positive development. To this end, the saddle must be modified using suitable methods and materials so that the saddle position again corresponds to the reference value and the desired axis between horse, saddle, and rider is restored.

[0018] While a particular saddle type from a particular manufacturer theoretically always has the same reference value, this system can change quickly because horse and rider form a biological system, and horses in particular do not have rigid joints in the forequarters. A horse changes throughout its life through training, feeding, housing, and possibly an accident. This has a direct impact on the fit of the saddle and its position on the horse. Unfortunately, the current state of the art does not take this aspect into account in practice, with the optimal position of the saddle selected for the respective rider on a specific horse being checked only once initially. For this reason, the method according to the invention represents a significant improvement.

[0019] Ideally, the saddle's position on the horse should always be identical before, during, and after riding. If there are any deviations, the cause must be investigated. The rider will notice a forward tilt relatively quickly, as the seat quickly becomes uncomfortable, for example, because the rider is sitting on the pubic bone.

[0020] A backward tilt, on the other hand, is less easily noticed, especially since it can be a gradual process that the rider tries to compensate for incorrectly, for example, by falling forward, before the vertical, or by drawing the knees in. The method according to the invention has the advantage of correcting such posture errors and helping the rider to better maintain or restore balance on the horse.

[0021] According to the invention, the method further provides that the reference value is an angular position relative to the horizontal of an elongated device, which is at least partially approximately rod-shaped and is placed on two defined support points, preferably on the cantle and the cantle, of the saddle placed on the mount. The reference value is therefore comparatively easy for a specialist to determine. The specialist places a rod-shaped device on the saddle, which is placed on the mount. The two support points on the saddle are generally determined by the curved shape of the saddle, which results in a front high point and a rear high point. When the rod-shaped device is placed there, a defined angle is created which this device assumes with the horizontal. This angle can be measured using various suitable methods.The corresponding number of degrees of the angle is a value between zero and ninety and its numerical value can form the reference value, i.e. for example, at an angle of 10 ° to the horizontal the reference value would be 10. The tolerance range could then be, for example, + / - one degree or even + / - two degrees or even lower if necessary. It can also happen that for a few saddles (e.g. racing saddles or tölt saddles), a negative angle is assumed by the manufacturer. In the example case mentioned above, if the reference value is above 11 or below 9 in a later measurement, this would mean a deviation that is no longer acceptable and the specialist (usually a saddler) would have to make the appropriate changes to the saddle in order to redesign its structure so that a subsequent measurement would again produce a reference value that lies within the tolerance range of, for example, 10 + / - 1.

[0022] From the above, it follows that the rod-shaped device should, if possible, run in a straight line between the two support points. If the length of the rod-shaped device is insufficient for the existing distance between the two support points, its length can be adjusted, preferably by telescopic extension. This has no effect on the angle used as the reference value.

[0023] The aforementioned variant represents a simple, mechanical solution for determining the reference value. However, other solutions not according to the invention are also possible.

[0024] For example, the reference value could be an angular position determined using an inclination sensor attached to the saddle tree in the lower area of the saddle or integrated into the saddle. This inclination sensor can, for example, be permanently attached in or on the saddle, so that a specialist can determine the reference value at any time without the need for an aid such as the rod-shaped device. Furthermore, such angle determination using an inclination sensor is very precise. Alternatively, the inclination sensor can also be attached to the saddle by the specialist for the purpose of measuring, for example, in a specific, defined position.

[0025] According to a preferred development of the method, an RFID transmitter can be assigned to the inclination sensor, which is suitable for transmitting measured values determined by the inclination sensor to an electronic device or a mobile device. This variant has the advantage that the rider does not necessarily have to consult a specialist for the measurement. Instead, they could determine the measured value and transmit it to the specialist, for example via a mobile device. The specialist could, for example, save the reference values for a specific saddle related to a specific horse of their customer, so that they could directly compare the new measured value obtained with the stored reference value and, if deviations are detected, identify a need for action and contact the customer to make changes to the saddle.

[0026] According to a preferred development of the method, for example, measured values determined by the sensor could be queried by the mobile device via an app. Furthermore, deviations of the measured values measured by the inclination sensor from the reference value could preferably be displayed on the mobile device, in particular by color coding. In this case, the layperson, for whom the purely numerical values are not meaningful, receives a clear indication from the color coding (e.g., "green" for a correct measured value, "yellow" for a still tolerable deviation from the reference value, and "red" if the tolerance limit is exceeded), which indicates when they need to involve a specialist to make adjustments to the saddle.

[0027] According to the present invention, various parameters for the saddle's design features are considered, which can be changed if a deviation from the reference value is detected. For example, parts of the saddle's padding or its knee rolls, the saddle flap, or the like could be modified to adjust the saddle so that the reference value for the saddle position is again achieved when resting on the mount.

[0028] Below, examples of possible saddle modifications are explained in more detail. These explanations are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather to identify only a few of the most important areas of the saddle where a specialist can make adjustments to optimize the saddle's position on the mount. Pillow

[0029] At least one of the saddle's panels could either be completely replaceable if it no longer fits, or be padded with different fillings (harder, softer, or individual zones padded). In principle, a panel should be consistent, straight, and homogeneous.

[0030] The right pillow and the left pillow should be the same length and width, as flat as possible and as straight as possible so that the pillows rest on the long back muscle with a good chamber tunnel (for the freedom of the spine).

[0031] The larger the contact surface, the more mobility is restricted, and the narrower the panels, the more contact surface and the more pressure distribution are removed. For example, if you're riding dressage for an hour with high concentration, the panel can be slightly straighter or narrower, bringing the rider a little closer to the horse. On the other hand, if you're riding cross-country at a walk for several hours, the panel needs to be as wide as possible to ensure the saddle has the maximum contact surface.

[0032] For example, the panels in the rear section can be made considerably softer or, if necessary, allowed to swing out from the horse's back, especially if you need a large seat with a large seating area on a smaller horse (e.g., a tall and heavy rider). In this case, it's more important that the buttocks fit well into the saddle and are flexible than that the seat is too small and the support surface is too small.

[0033] For example, you can use different panel lengths at the front of the horns (at the tips of the horns). The better the horse's musculature, the shorter the gullet plate lengths and also the panels can be; the poorer the musculature, the longer they need to be to provide more contact surface. Here you can see that the individual anatomy of the horse also plays a role. If, for example, there is a large hole to the top right and left of the withers, you need to cushion the pressure as much as possible at the bottom to give the horse a chance to build up muscle and to prevent the saddle from tipping into the horse. The widths of the panels at the front and back should also be precisely tailored to the individual horse.If you have a relatively short horse that is very rounded at the back, perhaps because it's overbuilt, the panel needs to extend further back than with a smaller horse that's comparatively long and has an unstable back. Therefore, there are several aspects to consider regarding the horse's back. Abdominal belt suspension

[0034] The girth attachment of the saddle should be variable enough to allow for individual adjustment. This means it should be possible to attach it right at the front, close to the gullet plate, or behind it, so that the attachment can always be positioned anywhere on the saddle tree. It should also be possible to use different attachment systems, such as a Western girth, an English girth, or a special girth that creates less friction, exerts less pressure, or is taller so that the saddle can be built flatter. The girth attachment should be positioned at the correct point towards the sternum, so that it runs straight and does not pull forwards or backwards. This creates a favorable distribution of force and prevents the belly from pulling the saddle forwards towards the shoulder. The girth position must always be straight. Stirrup suspension

[0035] In principle, the stirrup suspension should be positioned so that the rider has the opportunity to sit optimally in the center of gravity, regardless of his leg length.

[0036] Modifications are possible here by replacing entire stirrup attachments or by using a screw / bolt system that can be opened and, if possible, offers more stability than a simple screw. Adjustments may be necessary here, especially with regard to riders' different leg lengths. The low point of the saddle

[0037] Here, it's important to identify the low point, whether it's precisely adjusted to a point or stretched out, and whether it's positioned more toward the front or more toward the center. Under no circumstances should the low point be positioned toward the back. This position of the low point should be defined independently for each saddle.

[0038] If the saddle is mass-produced, the tolerance within the mass production process can play a role in ensuring the center of gravity is always the same. It's especially possible to adjust the low point if the saddle shape has removable upper padding and top leather, allowing for adjustments to the lower shaping layer. With a rigid saddle tree, it can sometimes be comparatively difficult to move the center point further forward if the material doesn't allow it. gullet iron

[0039] The gullet plate is a part of the saddle tree, usually made of metal, that determines the saddle's seat width. The gullet plate should be adjustable to various degrees, allowing you to not only loosen or tighten it at the ends of the saddle, but also adjust the upper section, where the bell is, to make it larger or smaller. Alternatively, you could replace the gullet plate from the start with one that already has a much larger bell at the top, and then modify it later to allow for better adjustment at the bottom.

[0040] Another important aspect is the length of the gullet plate. You should have not only short gullets available, but also very long ones, especially for horses that lack muscle in the lower area, which have the classic hollows or holes behind the shoulder in the trapezius muscle area. This allows you to bridge this gap with a longer one, either with a plastic or metal part that can be inserted, or at least a plastic part that is built into the panel to provide more support at the bottom and more play above it, so that the gullet plate gives the horse's muscles more freedom of movement.

[0041] Preferably, within the scope of a further development of the method according to the invention, at least one parameter of at least one design feature of the saddle is changed in relation to the group comprising its padding, its cushions, its knee rolls, its stirrup suspension, its girth suspension, its saddle tree, its gullet plate and its saddle flaps in order to restore the reference value for the saddle position. measuring instruments

[0042] If a rod-shaped device is used to measure the angle to determine the reference value, it can be made of aluminum, for example.

[0043] Alternatively, but not according to the claimed invention, one could, for example, place a roller on the front and back of the saddle, with an adhesive cardboard plate into which a smartphone can be placed. One could then launch an app, for example, that initiates an angle measurement and compares the measured value with a stored reference value. This simple variant is suitable at least for measurements on a stationary mount. These measurements can then be taken, for example, before and after riding, to see if any changes occur.

[0044] Instead of using an angular position as a reference value, one could, for example (although not according to the claimed invention), also use a specific vertebra of the riding animal, for example the 18th vertebra, as the central point and then take measurements from there to create a reference representation of the horse's back from the 18th vertebra in all directions. However, this would generate a larger number of measurement points, making the method more complex than a simple angle measurement of an inclined line between two points, as described above.

[0045] According to a preferred development of the method, after the expert has made changes to the saddle based on the deviations from the reference value, a documentation can be created in which the expert records which changes he has made to which parts of the saddle. The corresponding data is saved and this documentation is made available to the customer, so that he also receives information about the anatomical changes that have occurred in the mount over time. This provides valuable insights, for example, into possible illnesses that may be due to changes in the musculature, bone structure, and the like. In addition to the data, the customer can also receive a sketch of the measurements and the changes made to the saddle. Definition of the low point of the saddle

[0046] For the method according to the invention, it may be necessary to obtain information from the saddle manufacturer regarding the location of the respective low point of the saddle. If this information is not available, the specialist who takes the measurements and determines the reference value can also define this low point themselves. This definition can then, if necessary, refer only to this saddle, the respective horse, and the respective rider. For this purpose, one could, for example, attach a scale to the measuring device with a length indication and a number, using two laser pointers, for the start and end of the defined low point. The low point should always be in one axis between rider, saddle, and horse.

[0047] A possible refinement of the method according to the invention involves the use of an RFID chip containing a sensor and a data storage device that records the respective inclination angles and other data. The method could also be applied to the movement of the mounted animal, obtaining values for the various gaits such as walk, trot, and canter. This data can then be examined later to determine whether the data indicates harmonious movement of the mounted animal and rider and an optimal saddle position.

[0048] According to a further development, such an RFID chip could also be used to measure G-forces, for example, in order to determine how much pressure is applied to the horse's body via the saddle in the toe area and whether these pressure forces are distributed in a straight line from top to bottom.

[0049] The present invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 a schematically simplified side view of a riding saddle with a measuring device placed on it for determining the reference value according to an exemplary variant of the present invention.

[0050] The following refers to the Figure 1 Reference is made to the drawings, and an exemplary variant of the method according to the invention will be explained in more detail. The illustration shows a riding saddle 10 with a saddle flap 11 in the area below the seat and with knee rolls 12 in the front lower area, which extend in front of the saddle flap 11. The seat 13 for the rider has a curved shape with a low point 14in a central area. The cantle 15 is located at the rear upper end of the seat, while the front cantle 16 is located at the front end. The curved saddle surface extends between the front cantle 16 and the rear cantle 15, with the lowest point of this curve being in the area of the minimum of the curve. 14 In the area below the cantle 15, on the underside of the saddle, is the saddle pad 17.

[0051] Due to the fact that the cantle is slightly higher than the cantle 16, although there are different saddle shapes in this regard, an inclined line results if the highest point of the saddle in the area of the cantle 15 is connected with the highest point in the area of the cantle 16 by a straight line. To measure the angle of inclination of such a line, according to the invention, a rod-shaped device 18 is placed on the saddle 10 in such a way that it rests on the two aforementioned points on the cantle 15 and the cantle 16, as shown in Figure 1can be seen. This rod-shaped device 18 can consist of two sections that extend longitudinally, so that it can be extended telescopically in order to be able to adjust the length of a larger saddle 10. When the rod-shaped device 18 is placed at the two points mentioned, it forms an angle α to an imaginary horizontal line 19. The value for this angle of inclination α, which can be several degrees depending on the saddle shape, for example approximately 6 ° in the drawing, then forms the reference value that is used according to the invention to determine the saddle position.

[0052] The said rod-shaped device 18 can, as indicated in the drawing, have bends or other locking devices at the front and rear ends in order to fix the device more securely on the saddle 10 when in place.

[0053] This results in a fixed numerical value for the reference value, here for example 6. When determining the reference value, which should preferably be carried out by a specialist, the specialist ensures that the corresponding saddle 10 is optimally positioned on the mount so that the lowest point 14 of the saddle lies in a line along an axis between the rider, the saddle 10, and the horse. If, at a later point in time, the inclination of the saddle 10 is determined again in the same way using the device 18 and a deviation is found that lies outside a previously defined tolerance range, then the saddle must be modified by the expert so that the reference value is again maintained. In the case of such a deviation, the expert knows that changes must be made to the saddle. For example, he can make changes to the padding 17 or the panels, to the saddle tree, which is located inside the saddle 10 and in Figure 1is not visible, on the stirrup attachment, on the gullet plate, etc. As a result of such structural changes to one or more of the aforementioned components of the saddle, the saddle subsequently takes on a different position on the same mount, so that the above-mentioned angle of inclination also changes and consequently the reference value changes. Based on the measurement of the reference value taken during the inspection, the specialist knows where on the saddle changes need to be made and how these changes will change the inclination position of the saddle. It may be necessary to change the saddle several times, after each of which the reference value is measured, until the desired result is achieved and the measured angle of inclination again corresponds to the reference value or is so close to it that the deviation is tolerable.When considering how to modify the saddle to restore the original inclination value according to the reference value, the specialist also takes into account any changes in the constitution / anatomy of the riding animal that he observes. List of reference symbols

[0054] 10Riding saddle 11Saddle flap 12Pommels 13Seat, saddle surface 14Low point 15Pommel 16Pommel 17Cushion 18Bar-shaped device 19Horizontal line αAngle of inclination

Claims

1. Method for determining the current position of a saddle placed on a mount (10) and, where applicable, correcting that position, comprising the following steps: a) determining a reproducible reference value of the position for a specifically designed saddle (10) in a position assumed to be optimal when the saddle (10) is placed on a specific mount; b) determining deviations of the saddle position from the previously determined reference value at a later point in time; c) modifying at least one parameter relating to a constructive feature of the specific saddle if a previously determined tolerance of deviation from the reference value has been established at step b) until the reference value of the position of the position for this specific saddle is again reached in the position of the saddle (10) on the specific mount, which is assumed to be optimal, characterized in that d) the reference value is an angular position relative to the horizontal of an elongated device (18) that is approximately rod-shaped at least in sections, which device (18) is placed on two defined support points, preferably on the pommel (16) and the cantle (15) of the saddle placed on the mount.

2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rod-shaped device (18) runs in a straight line between the two support points.

3. The method according to any one of the Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rod-shaped device (18) can be varied in length by telescopically extending it.

4. The method according to any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first rear high point as well as a second front high point of the saddle, which is placed on the mount spaced away from the first rear high point, serve as support points for the device.

5. The method according to any one of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one parameter of at least one constructive feature of the saddle with respect to the group, comprising the saddle's padding (17), its cushion, its knee rolls (12), its stirrup suspension, its belly band suspension, its saddle tree, its gullet plate and its saddle flaps (11), is modified in order to restore the reference value for the saddle position.