A horse rug

Abstract

A horse rug having a longitudinal centreline extending from a front end to a rear end, with a collar panel 4, which comprises a strip, provided in the front-end portion of the rug. The collar panel may define a front edge 5 of the rug and be joined to a body panel 8 of the rug. The rear edge of the collar 6 may be non-linear and may be bent or curved. A rear edge of the collar panel which is distal the centerline 4b may be forwards of the rear edge 4a which is proximal the centre line. The front edge of the body portion 7 may be nonlinear, curved or bent. The front of the body panel may have a different profile to the rear of the collar portion. The collar may be non-stretchable fabric. There may be a stretchable neck portion. They may be a fastener for the collar portion with a flap to cover the fastener. There may be a wither panel 12. The rug is designed to have a more anatomical fit to the horse and reduce pressure or rubbing.

Description

The present disclosure relates to a horse rug. Horse rugs (or coats) are blanket like garments used to protect a horse or pony from the elements, such as cold or wet weather, or from biting insects. They are arranged to cover at least part of a horse or pony's back, stomach, side flanks and neck. In order to be comfortable and provide good protection, horse-rugs need to be of a reasonably close fit. Horse rugs are typically made from a single piece of fabric or from two pieces of fabric that are stitched together. Horse rugs are typically arranged to form a substantially tubular shape, in use, secured with straps and buckles to keep the rug in place. Conventional horse rugs have a tendency, owing to a poor anatomical fit, to gape open in the region of the base of the horse’s neck / chest and / or to pull and add pressure. They are also prone to slipping from side to side and / or backwards, which can restrict movement of the horse’s shoulders. Another issue with conventional horse rugs, again due to poor anatomical fit, is a tendency to apply pressure / rub in the horse’s shoulder area. In an effort to alleviate this issue some prior art horse rugs have been provided with a pleat or vent in the shoulder area. However, an issue with such arrangements can be the creation of a bulk in the region of the pleat that can itself cause issues with rubbing. The present invention arose in a bid to provide an improved horse rug addressing these and other shortcomings of the prior art. According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a horse rug having a longitudinal direction extending from a front end portion of the rug to a rear end portion of the rug, and a longitudinal centreline, wherein a collar panel, which comprises a strip, is provided in the front end portion of the rug. A front edge of the collar panel preferably defines a front edge of the rug at least in part. The collar panel allows for an anatomical fit around the base of the horse’s neck and chest (where typical rugs can gape open, pull or distort). The collar panel is effective to stop the rug from pulling and restricting the movement of the horse’s shoulder. It provides a solid anchor so that the rug stays in place around the base of the neck and chest. Moreover, the collar panel allows for the provision of a shoulder relief flare. Additional fabric can be shaped into the collar panel to create space over the shoulder of the horse without the need of a traditional pleat or any additional seams. A rear edge of the collar panel is preferably joined to a front edge of a body panel, which at least partially covers a shoulder of a horse in use. The body panel preferably extends in the longitudinal direction between the collar panel and a rear edge of the rug. The rear edge of the collar panel is preferably non-linear. It may be bent or curved. The rear edge of the collar panel in an end portion of the collar panel that is distal the longitudinal centreline is preferably forwards of the rear edge of the collar panel in a region of the collar panel that is proximal the longitudinal centreline. A front edge of the body panel is preferably non-linear. It may be bent or curved. The front edge of the body panel in an end portion of the body panel that is distal the longitudinal centreline is preferably forwards of the front edge of the body panel in a region of the body panel that is proximal the longitudinal centreline. ont edge of the body panel may be concavely curved in a region proximal the longitudinal centreline. The front edge of the body panel may be convexly curved in a region distal the longitudinal centreline. The concavely and convexly curved regions, when both provided, may be immediately adjacent to one another. The front edge of the body panel preferably flares out in a region distal the longitudinal centreline, i.e. in a lower region of the rug. The front edge of the body panel may have a different profile to the rear edge of the collar panel. The collar panel preferably comprises a non-stretchable fabric. There may be provided a wither panel in the front end portion of the rug spanning the longitudinal centreline. The wither is a bony protrusion on the spine of a horse on which traditional rugs rest and which can cause a pressure point. By the provision of a separate wither panel, which may be padded or unpadded, it can be ensured there are no seams over the wither area. The wither panel is preferably sized and / or shaped to reduce pressure on this bony sensitive point. There may be provided a neck panel that comprises a rear edge that is joined to a front edge of the collar panel. The neck panel preferably comprises stretchable fabric. The neck panel preferably spans the longitudinal centreline. The widths and lengths of horses necks can vary greatly. This means that necks in traditional rugs can often be too tight or too loose. By the provision of a panel made of a stretch fabric, the neck section of the rug can provide a better fit. There is further the benefit of reduced rubbing of the horse’s mane. The collar panel may comprises a fastener and a flap that covers the fastener. "ovision of an inbuilt overlap of outer fabric under which the chest fasteners are located is useful in preventing the fasteners used to close the rug around the horse’s chest being exposed and potentially catching on elements in the horse’s environment such as fencing or hanging hay nets in the stable. Further, preferable, features will be apparent from the specific description that follows. Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a horse rug according to a first embodiment in an in use state; Figure 2 shows the horse rug according to Figure 1 in a disassembled state with the panels forming the rug laid out flat; Figure 3 shows a horse rug according to an alternative embodiment, which comprises a neck panel; and Figure 4 shows a closure arrangement comprising a flap for covering a fastener. With reference to figures 1 and 2, a horse rug according to a first embodiment will be described. In broadest terms, there is provided a horse rug 1 having a longitudinal direction extending from a front end portion 2 of the rug 1 to a rear end portion 3 of the rug 1, and a longitudinal centreline (to align generally with the spine of the horse in use and indicated generally by the dashed line in Figure 2), wherein a collar panel 4, which comprises a strip, is provided in the front end portion 2 of the rug 1. In the present arrangement, as best seen in Figure 2, there are two collar panels 4, although in alternative arrangements these two panels may be combined into a single panel. Whether separately or unitarily formed, the collar panel(s), in use will wrap around the neck of the horse, as evident from Figure 1. The lower end portions of the two collar panels 4 or the opposed end portions of the single collar panel 4 will be fastened to one another, as seen, for example, in Figure 4. The description below will focus on a single of the depicted collar panels 4 but will be a unified collar panel also (in consideration of one half thereof on one side of the longitudinal centreline). The collar panel 4 comprises a front edge 5 and a rear edge 6. It is preferable, as shown, that the front edge 5 defines a front edge of the rug at least in part. However, in alternative arrangements this may not be the case. The collar panel 4 may be considered to comprise a strip, since it comprises a long narrow piece of material. The front and rear edges 5, 6 are preferably substantially parallel to one another along substantially the entire length of the collar panel 4, although arrangements will be possible in which this is not the case. The rear edge 6 of the collar panel 4 is preferably non-linear. The rear edge 6 of the collar panel 4 may be bent or curved. The rear edge 6 of the collar panel in an end portion of the collar panel 4 that is distal the longitudinal centreline is preferably forwards of the rear edge 6 of the collar panel in a region of the collar panel that is proximal the longitudinal centreline, as is evident from Figures 1 and 2. In the present arrangement, the collar panel 4 may be considered to comprise upper and lower portions 4a, 4b with a bend in between, wherein the upper portion 4a, which is proximal the longitudinal centreline extends generally along a first axis (as indicated by a dotted line in Figure 2) and the lower portion 4b, which is distal the longitudinal centreline, extends generally along a second axis (as also indicated by a dotted line in Figure 2), wherein the first and second axes are arranged at an angle to one another. The axis of the lower portion 4b is preferably arranged at a greater angle relative to the longitudinal centreline (and at a greater incline relative to the horizontal in use). As seen in Figure 1, the rear edge 6 of the collar panel is joined to a front edge 7 of a body panel 8. The body panel 8 is arranged to at least partially cover a shoulder of a horse in use, as will be evident from Figure 1. The body panel 8 in the present arrangement extends in the longitudinal direction between the collar panel 4 and a rear edge 9 of the rug 1. However, this need not be the case, particularly in arrangements with additional panels provided. In the present arrangement, there are two body panels 8 that are separately formed and joined together along their longitudinally extending upper edges 10, substantially along the longitudinal centreline. In alternative arrangements, these two panels could be unitarily formed. In yet further alternatives additional panels could be provided. The description below will focus on a single of the depicted body panels 8 but will be applicable to a unified body panel also (in consideration of one half thereof on one side of the longitudinal centreline). The front edge 7 of the body panel 8 is preferably non-linear. The front edge 7 of the body panel 8 may be bent or curved. The front edge 7 of the body panel 8 in an end portion of the body panel 8 that is distal the longitudinal centreline is preferably forwards of the front edge 7 of the body panel in a region of the body panel 8 that is proximal the longitudinal centreline, as is evident from Figures 1 and 2. In the present arrangement, the front edge 7 of the body panel 8 is concavely curved in a region 7a proximal the longitudinal centreline, and is convexly curved in a region 7b distal the longitudinal centreline. The concavely and convexly curved regions are immediately adjacent to one another, as shown. It should be appreciated, however that other non-linear forms will be possible for the front edge 7 of the body panel 8. Regardless, of the specific form of the front edge 7 of the body panel 8, it preferably flares out in a region 11 distal the longitudinal centreline. Also, it is preferable that the front edge 7 of the body panel 8 has a different profile to the rear edge 6 of the collar panel 4, as seen. The collar panel 4 preferably comprises a non-stretchable fabric. In use, as discussed, the collar panel 4 wraps around the base of a neck of a horse. The collar panel 4 allows for an anatomical fit around the base of the horse’s neck and chest (where typical rugs can gape open). The collar panel 4 effectively stops the rug from pulling and restricting the movement of the horse’s shoulder, olid anchor so that the rug 1 stays in place around the base of the neck and chest of the horse. Moreover, the collar panel 4 allows for the provision of a shoulder relief flare, in the region 11, wherein additional fabric can be shaped into the collar panel 4 to create space over the shoulder of the horse without the need of a traditional pleat or any additional seams, greatly improving comfort and fit over prior art arrangements. In the present arrangement, as seen in Figure 2, there is provided a wither panel 12 in the front end portion 2 of the rug 1. The wither panel 12 is optional and may be omitted. The wither panel 12 is a relatively small panel, as compared to the collar panel 4 and body panel 8. The wither panel 12 spans the longitudinal centreline. It preferably comprises curved side edges but may take alternative forms. It is preferably joined to both the collar panel 4 and the body panel 8, although may be joined to one or the other only in alternative arrangements. As noted, the wither panel may be padded or unpadded. It ensures there are no seams over the wither area and acts to reduce pressure on this bony sensitive point of the horse. The present arrangement further comprises a base panel 13, which is joined at an upper edge thereof to a lower edge of the body panel 8. The base panel 13 may be stretchable. The base panel 13 is optional and may be omitted. With reference to Figure 3, there is shown a horse rug 1a according to a second embodiment. The rug 1 a differs from the rug 1 of the first embodiment by virtue of the addition of a neck panel 14. In all other respects, the rug 1a is identical to the rug 1 and any discussion of features / altematives in respect of the rug 1 of the first embodiment are directly applicable to the rug 1a of the second embodiment. As can be seen, the neck panel 14 comprises a rear edge 15 that is joined to the front edge 5 of the collar panel 4. The neck panel 14 is arranged to wrap around the neck of the horse in use, as is evident from Figure 3. The neck panel 14 preferably spans the longitudinal centreline. The neck panel 14 preferably comprises stretchable fabric. With reference to Figure 4, there is shown a preferable feature, which may be included in any of the described embodiments. The collar panel 4 comprises a fastener 17 for attaching the collar panel 4 around the neck of the horse. The collar panel 4 is provided with a flap 16 that covers the fastener in use. Numerous alternative arrangements and modifications to the embodiments as described herein will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims. In particular, features of the described embodiments may be readily combined. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

1. A horse rug having a longitudinal direction extending from a front end portion of the rug to a rear end portion of the rug, and a longitudinal centreline, wherein a collar panel, which comprises a strip, is provided in the front end portion of the rug.

2. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a front edge of the collar panel defines a front edge of the rug at least in part.

3. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein a rear edge of the collar panel is joined to a front edge of a body panel, which at least partially covers a shoulder of a horse in use.

4. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the body panel extends in the longitudinal direction between the collar panel and a rear edge of the rug.

5. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein the rear edge of the collar panel is non-linear.

6. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the rear edge of the collar panel is bent or curved.

7. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the rear edge of the collar panel in an end portion of the collar panel that is distal the longitudinal centreline is forwards of the rear edge of the collar panel in a region of the collar panel that is proximal the longitudinal centreline.

8. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein a front edge of the body panel is non-linear.

9. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the front edge of the body panel is bent or curved.

10. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 9, wherein the front edge of the body panel in an end portion of the body panel that is distal the longitudinal centreline is forwards of the front edge of the body panel in a region of the body panel that is proximal the longitudinal centreline.

11. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10, wherein the front edge of the body panel is concavely curved in a region proximal the longitudinal centreline.

12. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 11, wherein the front edge of the body panel is convexly curved in a region distal the longitudinal centreline.

13. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 12, when dependent on Claim 11, wherein the concavely and convexly curved regions are immediately adjacent to one another.

14. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 13, wherein the front edge of the body panel flares out in a region distal the longitudinal centreline.

15. A horse rug as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 14, wherein the front edge of the body panel has a different profile to the rear edge of the collar panel.

16. A horse rug as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar panel comprises a non-stretchable fabric.

17. A horse rug as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises a wither panel in the front end portion of the rug spanning the longitudinal centreline.

18. A horse rug as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises a neck panel that comprises a rear edge that is joined to a front edge of the collar panel.

19. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the neck panel comprises stretchable fabric.

20. A horse rug as claimed in Claim 18 or 19, wherein the neck panel spans the longitudinal centreline.

21. A horse rug as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar panel comprises a fastener and a flap that covers the fastener.

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