Auxiliary horse equipment

The auxiliary harness addresses the limitations of existing harnesses by allowing natural head movement and providing controlled tension to prevent sudden head descent, enhancing safety and comfort for both horse and jockey.

JP7744548B1Active Publication Date: 2025-09-25佐々木 芳久
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025117423
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-07-11
Publication Date
2025-09-25
Estimated Expiration
2045-07-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing auxiliary harnesses for horses restrict the horse's natural movement and comfort by imposing constant restrictions on the head and neck, and fail to effectively prevent sudden head lowering, posing safety risks to the jockey.

Method used

An auxiliary harness that connects the nape leather of the bridle to the saddle leather with an elastic section, allowing natural up and down movement while providing controlled tension to prevent excessive head descent, and includes a handle for instant balance correction without relying on the reins.

Benefits of technology

The harness maintains the horse's comfort and freedom of movement while preventing sudden head lowering, reducing strain on the horse's mouth and neck, and allowing for precise tension adjustment to ensure safety and stability during training and competitions.

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Abstract

To provide an auxiliary harness that solves at least one of the problems of the prior art. [Solution] An auxiliary harness that connects the nape leather of the bridle and the saddle leather attached to the belly band of the saddle, and comprises a front end that is detachably attached to the nape leather, a rear end that is connected to the saddle leather, and a belt-shaped portion that connects the front end and the rear end, and the belt-shaped portion has a first section formed of an elastic member along at least a portion of its length.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to assistive harnesses. [Background technology]

[0002] In horse riding and competitions, saddlery is essential for controlling the horse's movements and ensuring the safety of both the jockey and the horse. Broadly speaking, saddlery consists of a bridle, which controls the horse's head, and a saddle part, which supports the jockey's seated position. The bridle is a combination of leather straps, including nosecap, forehead leather, nape leather, cheek leather, and throat leather, and is attached to the horse's head, transmitting the jockey's instructions to the horse via the bit (hereinafter also referred to as the "bit"). The saddle part includes a saddle body, front bridge, rear bridge, saddlebags, and under-saddle pads, and is secured to the horse's body with a girth, helping to stabilize the jockey's posture. Although there are many variations of these saddles, their basic structure has remained almost unchanged for many years.

[0003] However, in recent years, as training and competitions have become more sophisticated, there have been cases where more precise control of horse posture is required. Particularly during training and when young horses are running, horses may suddenly lower their heads, causing the jockey to be pulled forward suddenly, putting strain on the neck and back and risking whiplash. To address this problem, jockeys have traditionally kept the reins short to prevent the horse's head from lowering excessively.

[0004] However, this method lacks stability because it relies on the rider's grip strength and skill, and excessive force is likely to be concentrated on the horse's mouth through the bit, which may injure the corners of the horse's mouth or tongue. In addition, pulling the reins too hard for a long time interferes with the horse's natural movement of the head and neck, resulting in an irregular gait and the accumulation of stress.

[0005] To address these issues, methods have been proposed that involve the adoption of auxiliary harnesses to be used in place of or in addition to conventional harnesses. Patent Document 1 discloses a "Horse Tie Down" that includes a loop that holds the horse's head and nose, and a strap that passes from the loop between the front legs and connects to the center of the saddle girth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,906,707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The auxiliary harness in Patent Document 1 is said to be able to prevent the horse's head from lifting excessively upward or thrusting forward. However, the auxiliary harness in this document is made up of a combination of fixed-length straps, which constantly imposes a certain restriction on the horse's head and neck, even when walking or running, which naturally swings up and down and side to side, and this could impair the horse's freedom of movement and comfort.

[0008] Furthermore, while it is effective in preventing excessive head lift or thrust, its effectiveness in preventing sudden head lowering is limited, and it does not provide a fundamental solution to situations where the jockey is caught off guard.

[0009] In addition to the above, other auxiliary harnesses such as martingales and draw lanes (folded reins) are also known, but they all have the following problems. Martingales have a structure in which a strap branches in front of the chest and is passed through the reins to prevent the horse's head from lifting too much, but are not very effective in preventing the horse's head from dropping. Draw lanes are difficult to operate because they make the rein path complicated, and if used incorrectly, they can concentrate excessive stress on the horse's mouth and head. Furthermore, conventional auxiliary harnesses have metal fittings and ties concentrated in the front of the chest and near the bridge of the nose, making their structure complex and posing the risk of interference with the horse's forelegs while running, causing accidents.

[0010] As mentioned above, all existing harnesses have had problems. There is a strong need for improved harnesses that do not interfere with the horse's natural up and down movement when walking or running, and that only moderately restrain the horse when it tries to lower its head suddenly, ensuring the safety of the rider while not impairing the horse's comfort or freedom of movement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is an auxiliary harness that connects the nape leather of the bridle and the saddle leather attached to the belly band of the saddle, and comprises a front end that is detachably attached to the nape leather, a rear end that is connected to the saddle leather, and a belt-shaped portion that connects the front end and the rear end, and the belt-shaped portion has a first section formed of an elastic member in at least a portion of its length. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the auxiliary harness of the present disclosure, at least one of the problems of the prior art can be solved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a horse's body wearing an embodiment of the auxiliary harness of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the function of the auxiliary harness. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The first auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is an auxiliary harness that connects the nape leather of the bridle and the saddle leather attached to the belly band of the saddle, and comprises a front end that is detachably attached to the nape leather, a rear end that is connected to the saddle leather, and a belt-shaped portion that connects the front end and the rear end, and the belt-shaped portion has a first section formed by an elastic member in at least a portion of its length.

[0015] According to the first auxiliary harness, one end of the harness is fixed to the saddle strap attached to the girth, and the other end is connected to the nape strap of the bridle, so that the girth side remains essentially motionless under the weight of the jockey and the saddle, functioning as a fulcrum, while the nape strap side moves back and forth and up and down together with the horse's head and neck. As a result, if the horse tries to inadvertently pull its head downward suddenly, tension is generated throughout the harness, restraining the nape strap side in the direction of return to its original position and preventing excessive head descent. The harness exerts a predetermined tension, preventing the horse from lowering its head beyond the allowable range, preventing the jockey from being pulled too far forward and receiving a whiplash-like impact.

[0016] The strap has a first section made of an elastic material, which allows the elastic section to expand and contract with the natural up and down movement and slight head movements that accompany the horse's gait, allowing for a moderate amount of play and reducing stress on the horse's body. The elastic section also functions as a buffer mechanism, mitigating momentary peak loads. This helps to stabilize the horse's posture while avoiding excessive strain on the horse's nuchal and mouth via the bit.

[0017] The second auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is an auxiliary harness in which the rear end portion of the first auxiliary harness branches off from one end of the belt-shaped portion to form a pair of left and right branch portions, and each of the branch portions is connected to the saddle leathers on the left and right sides of the horse's body.

[0018] The second auxiliary harness distributes tension symmetrically, improving the load balance at the saddle, and keeps the belt in the center of the horse's body, reducing interference with the front legs.

[0019] A third auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the second auxiliary harness, wherein the strap-shaped portion is configured to extend along the upper surface of the horse's neck when attached to the horse's body.

[0020] With the third assistive harness, the strap passes along the upper side of the horse's neck, following the line of its back (nuchal-acromion line). Unlike conventional draw lanes, which have straps and metal fittings concentrated around the front of the chest (front end of the sternum) and the bridge of the nose, this harness does not place any pressure on the front of the thorax, where the horse's respiratory and circulatory systems are located. As a result, breathing capacity is maintained while running, minimizing strain on the horse's body even during periods of increased heart rate and oxygen intake. Furthermore, because there are no hard metal fittings across the chest, there is no risk of the strap coming into contact with the shoulder joint or upper arm when the horse swings its forelegs forward, preventing stumbling or restricting its stride.

[0021] Furthermore, by supporting the belt on the back of the neck along the erector spinae and nuchal ligament, tension is transmitted to the center of the horse's body, an area with minimal sway, significantly reducing the side-to-side movement of the belt itself. This reduces the occurrence of abrasions and abrasion of the horse's coat caused by pitching vibrations (rotational vibrations in the front-to-back direction) during galloping, and reduces the risk of dermatitis in horses. In addition, because the upper neck is an area with good ventilation and evaporation of sweat, there is little increase in humidity under the belt, which also helps prevent stress caused by humidity and the onset of fungal skin diseases even during long training sessions in the summer.

[0022] Furthermore, by positioning the harness so that it does not cross the chest or bridge of the nose, it forms a simple line that can be seen in one line from the saddle to the nape of the neck, making it easier for jockeys and stable hands to check the fit at a glance, and also improving manageability by preventing accidents caused by incorrect fit.

[0023] A fourth auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the third auxiliary harness in which a handle that can be held by the rider is provided between the pair of left and right branches.

[0024] The fourth auxiliary harness is based on the premise that the belt-like portion branches into a pair of left and right branches that are stably fixed to the bridle (second auxiliary harness), and that the belt-like portion is positioned along the top of the horse's neck (third auxiliary harness). The handle located between the branches is always positioned near the center of the horse's spine, providing a secure grip that prevents it from swinging wildly left and right or up and down even while riding. Traditionally, when jockeys suddenly needed to regain balance during ground training or riding, they had no choice but to grab the reins. Pulling the reins too hard puts excessive strain on the horse's mouth and bit, causing loss of control and pain and stress to the horse. In contrast, with this configuration, the jockey can instantly regain balance by grasping the handle without relying on the reins, and gentle braking can be transmitted to the horse's body without the need for a bit.

[0025] Furthermore, because the handle is in line with the horse's back, the direction of the rider's arm movement includes a perpendicular component to the horse's spine, distributing force in a direction that does not compress the front legs or shoulders. This satisfies the delicate training requirement of not restricting the horse's gait or shoulder freedom, maintaining a natural stride of the front legs, and only suppressing sudden drops in the neck. Furthermore, when the rider is pulling a horse on the ground, he or she does not need to hold onto the metal fitting across the chest, allowing for a stable lead while maintaining an appropriate distance from the horse.

[0026] In addition, because the handle is positioned in a highly visible position, even stable hands and beginners can easily check the state of the reins, reducing human error such as accidentally using the reins with the branches crossed. Furthermore, by separating the functions of "emergency grip point" and "directional instruction," which are originally performed by the reins, it is possible to train young horses in the early stages of training in a step-by-step manner to correct posture and maintain balance while minimizing stimulation to the mouth, which has the secondary effect of improving the horse's learning efficiency and reducing mental stress.

[0027] A fifth auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the auxiliary harness described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the belt-shaped portion has a length adjustment mechanism.

[0028] The fifth auxiliary harness allows the overall length of the harness to be quickly adjusted without tools, allowing for accurate fitting according to the horse's body dimensions (differences in breed, growth stage, and seasonal changes in body size). This means that even in training settings where there are large individual differences, such as horses with large girths or young foals, the same harness can be shared and the appropriate tension can be set, reducing equipment management costs.

[0029] Furthermore, the length adjustment mechanism determines the amount of slack inherent in the strap, allowing for fine adjustment of the initial tension set point at which the elastic member begins to stretch. For example, a larger amount of slack can be set during the early stages of training or rehabilitation, allowing for a wide range of natural head and neck movement and reducing stress. On the other hand, the amount of slack can be narrowed and the allowable range of head descent angle can be narrowed immediately before a competition or when stronger posture correction is required. This allows for optimization of the three axes of horse size, training phase, and training goal with a single touch of the length adjustment mechanism.

[0030] Furthermore, the length adjustment mechanism allows the effective stretch range of the elastic member to be controlled in advance, allowing the timing when the elastic member reaches its maximum stretch to be intentionally set. For example, a two-stage control characteristic can be achieved, whereby the elasticity alone absorbs the force during normal gait, and the non-elastic section acts as a stopper when the angle drops below a certain level. This provides the excellent effect of ensuring a safety margin without giving the horse excessive freedom, while allowing adjustments that do not inhibit physiological up and down movement.

[0031] A sixth auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the auxiliary harness described in any one of the first to fifth embodiments, in which the elastic member is made of a rubber material.

[0032] According to the sixth harness, rubber materials have a high elastic strain recovery rate and excellent durability against repeated loads, so their elastic properties do not deteriorate even when subjected to thousands of stretching cycles during daily training and competitions. Furthermore, rubber exhibits viscoelasticity (hysteresis), which dissipates some of the energy received during stretching as internal loss and suppresses recoil when the horse returns to its original position. This dampens the shock of the "tightening" of the strap the moment the horse suddenly lowers its head, mitigating the impact on both the horse and the jockey, while also reducing the secondary risk of the horse being startled and shaken again by an unexpected recoil.

[0033] Furthermore, rubber is highly water- and sweat-resistant, does not absorb water and swell even when riding in the rain or sweating, and exhibits minimal fluctuations in its elastic modulus. It also maintains practical elasticity over a wide temperature range, from as low as -20°C to as high as 50°C, allowing for stable tension settings during winter training in cold regions and daytime summer competitions. It can be cleaned with just mild detergent and water, and the risk of mold and decay is significantly lower than with natural fiber elastic materials.

[0034] Furthermore, because the thickness, width, and hardness (Shore) of the rubber material can be freely designed through extrusion and calendaring, it is easy to customize the mechanical properties, such as "softer with longer elongation" or "harder with shorter elongation," to suit the breed and training stage of the horse. This, combined with the fifth auxiliary harness length adjustment mechanism, makes it possible to optimize the "initial tension set point" and "maximum allowable elongation" of the elastic material biaxially, achieving the excellent effect of realizing a precise tension profile for each horse and purpose.

[0035] A seventh auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the sixth auxiliary harness, wherein a first section of the belt-shaped portion formed by the elastic member is positioned close to the tip end.

[0036] With the seventh assistive harness, the elastic section receives tension closest to the nape (the horse's head and neck), so expansion and contraction absorption immediately kicks in at the initial stage when the horse begins to lower its head, reducing the peak impact. Because the elastic section is followed immediately by a non-elastic section, the non-elastic material immediately functions as a stopper when the elastic material reaches its maximum extension, limiting the head lowering angle within a specified range. This two-stage control of "initial cushioning + terminal restriction" allows the horse's natural neck swing while reliably preventing the sudden retraction that can induce whiplash.

[0037] In addition, by locating the elastic section closer to the neck, the mass concentration caused by the expansion and contraction is concentrated on the back line, closer to the horse's center of gravity, reducing the moment of inertia at the tip. As a result, the swing width of the entire strap is reduced, making it less likely to shake or flap even when galloping. This, combined with the routing on the top of the neck achieved by the third auxiliary harness, further reduces interference with the forelegs and minimizes the risk of skin abrasion. Furthermore, the proximity of the elastic section to the neck leather makes it easier to see inspection points for corrosion due to aging and sweat, which has the secondary effect of improving maintenance.

[0038] The eighth auxiliary harness of the present disclosure is the seventh auxiliary harness, wherein the belt-shaped portion has a second section connected to the first section, and the second section is made of synthetic fiber.

[0039] According to the eighth auxiliary harness, the second section, made of high-strength synthetic fibers (polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, aramid, polyphenylene benzobisoxazole, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, etc.), has a higher specific strength (strength / mass ratio) than natural fibers or leather, even at the same thickness, allowing for a lighter overall strap. This lighter weight reduces the static load on the horse's spine, reducing the risk of muscle fatigue and back pain during long training sessions. Furthermore, a lighter strap has a smaller moment of inertia during riding and is less likely to shake or flap, further enhancing the effectiveness of the third auxiliary harness in reducing forelimb interference.

[0040] Synthetic fibers are highly water- and sweat-resistant, and do not stretch or harden when absorbing sweat or rain, so tension settings are less affected by seasons or climates. This means that once the optimal tension is set using the length adjustment mechanism, readjustment frequency can be reduced even when humidity or temperature changes, reducing maintenance costs.

[0041] Furthermore, the use of highly abrasion-resistant synthetic fibers extends the wear life of the straps against repeated friction with the saddle girth and neck leather hardware. Competition horses, in particular, use them for several hours per day, subjecting them to repeated high-tensile loads. Synthetic fibers are resistant to bending fatigue, preventing the peeling and cracking of the fiber layer that is a problem with leather straps. This prevents sudden accidents caused by strap breakage and improves safety in training settings.

[0042] Synthetic fibers are highly dyeable and pigmentable, and it is easy to weave bright colors and reflective threads into them. This allows for visibility during nighttime training or when stored in dark places, and can be used to add various added value, such as preventing mishandling by jockeys and stable hands, preventing theft, and providing individual identification markings.

[0043] Furthermore, synthetic fibers have low water absorption and dry quickly, which shortens drying time after washing and inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold. They are also highly resistant to chemicals (equestrian disinfectants and antibacterial sprays), making them easy to maintain and providing a comfortable wearing environment for horses.

[0044] The following describes the auxiliary harness of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Note that the shapes, dimensions, ratios, relative positions, layer thicknesses, etc. of each part shown in the drawings are examples for explanatory purposes and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, identical or corresponding parts in the drawings are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, descriptions indicating directions such as up / down, front / back, left / right, etc. used in this specification and the drawings are for convenience and are based on the horse's body, and may vary depending on the actual posture of use and assembly direction.

[0045] Fig. 1 is a side view of a horse's body wearing auxiliary harness 100, which is one embodiment of the auxiliary harness of the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the auxiliary harness 100.

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, conventional riding tack is broadly composed of a bridle 50 and a saddle 10. The bridle 50 interconnects forehead cap 36, nose cap 32, cheek cap 34, nape cap 38, and throat cap 40 to hold the horse's head, and transmits the rider's operations to the horse via a bit 44 and reins 42.

[0047] The saddle 10 comprises a seat 12 on which the jockey sits and side straps 14 hanging down from the sides of the seat 12. A hand strap 20 for fastening a girth 22 is located on the underside of the hand strap 14. The hand straps 20 are made of a pair of left and right straps (often multiple straps on each side, three on each side in this example) made of thick leather or high-strength synthetic fiber, with multiple rows of holes at the ends that engage with the buckles of the girth 22. When riding, the girth 22 tightens around the entire circumference of the horse's thorax with a predetermined tension, and the jockey's weight acts on the seat 12, so the hand strap 20 becomes a substantially immovable fixed point relative to the horse's body and functions as a stable anchor against external forces. This stability is important because, when connecting the rear end of the auxiliary harness 100 (described below), the rear end serves as a fulcrum that remains almost constant even when the horse moves its head up and down.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the auxiliary harness 100 of the present invention is constructed by connecting a leading end 72, which is detachably fastened to the neck cap 38 of the bridle 50, and a trailing end 84, which is fixed to the saddle leather 20 on the saddle 10 side, with a strap 78 extending along the horse's spine. Starting from the neck cap 38, the strap 78 is composed of a first section 74 (elastic section) made of flat rubber and a second section 76 (inelastic section) made of nylon, an inelastic synthetic fiber. The second section 76 is constructed as a perforated strap, and together with a buckle 84C on the front side of the trailing end 84, form a length adjustment mechanism 80, which are arranged in series. Branches 84A (84B) branch out to the left and right from the trailing end 84, via connecting hardware.

[0049] The ends of the branches 84A, 84B are looped, and the hand leather 20 is inserted through this loop and secured. This makes the rear end 84 a stable fixed point under the saddle. The auxiliary harness 100 is almost symmetrical Y-shaped in a plan view, and tension is distributed evenly to the hand leathers 20 on both sides, and the load is concentrated at the center of the horse's body via the saddle part 10, so it is less likely to interfere with the front legs. Furthermore, near the branch base of the branch 84A (84B), there is a handle 82, both ends of which are fixed to the branches 84A (84B) extending left and right.

[0050] Next, we will explain the procedure for attaching the auxiliary harness 100. First, the saddle 10 is attached to the horse's body in the usual way, and the belly band 22 is fastened to the hand strap 20 with the appropriate tension. Next, the tip 72 of the auxiliary harness 100 is passed through the rear end of the nape strap 38 and fastened, and the strap-like portion 78 is pulled backward along the back of the cervical vertebrae (neck line) and over the horse's acromion.

[0051] On the other hand, the rear end portion 84 is worn with the length adjustment mechanism 80 released and the perforated strap of the second section 76 not fastened to the buckle 84C. First, when fastening the abdominal belt 22 and the hand strap 20, the loops of the branches 84A and 84B of the rear end portion 84 are passed through the hand strap 20. In this state, the hand strap 20 is fastened to the abdominal belt 22. Next, the perforated strap of the second section 76 is fastened to the buckle 84C. At this time, the belt holes for fastening are selected so that the first section 74, which is made of an elastic member, has enough slack to prevent excessive stretching. In other words, the initial tension of the belt-like portion 78 is adjusted with the length adjustment mechanism 80.

[0052] Next, the function of the assistive harness 100 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. When a horse moves its neck up and down in a normal gait, the first section 74 (elastic section), which runs from the tip end 72 connected to the nether cap 38 toward the saddle 10, expands and contracts, giving slack to the entire strap, so that almost no reaction force is transmitted to the horse's body and stress is low (position indicated by the solid line in Figure 3). However, if the horse attempts to suddenly lower its head in the direction of arrow L1 beyond the allowable angle, the first section 74 stretches to its predetermined extension limit, and then the inelastic second section 76 immediately becomes taut, restraining the nether cap 38 toward the dorsal line (direction of arrow L2). Because the rear end 84 is a fixed point that does not substantially move relative to the saddle cap 20, tension is transmitted in one direction along the dorsal line of the neck, preventing excessive lowering of the head. The two-stage control, in which the first section 74, which is an elastic section, cushions the initial impact while the second section 76, which is an inelastic section, functions as a stopper, prevents the jockey from being pulled forward and receiving a whiplash-like impact, and enables training that does not inhibit the natural range of up and down movement of the head and neck.

[0053] As a non-limiting example, the width of the belt-shaped portion 78 is preferably approximately 15 to 30 mm, the thickness is preferably 1 to 3 mm, and the total length (from the tip 72 to the branch portions 84A and 84B) is preferably 450 to 1000 mm depending on the horse's height. The elastic member constituting the first section 74 is preferably, but not limited to, a flat rubber band (natural or synthetic rubber). For example, a braided leather strap, formed by weaving multiple narrow leather cords into a hollow or mesh-like shape and stretching longitudinally as the braid pitch changes when pulled, may also be used as the elastic member. This configuration can impart the desired stretchability while suppressing deterioration over time due to rubber elasticity and maintaining the unique texture and abrasion resistance of leather.

[0054] On the other hand, the second section is preferably made of high-strength synthetic fibers such as nylon, vinylon, aramid, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, but may be made entirely of leather to achieve compatibility with conventional harnesses in appearance.

[0055] The auxiliary harness 100 is an example that embodies the technical concepts contained in this disclosure, and various modifications are permitted. For example, the arrangement of the elastic and non-elastic sections and the specific structure of the length adjustment mechanism may be variously modified. Specifically, the first section 74 (elastic section) and the second section 76 (non-elastic section) are not limited to the "first section, second section" arrangement shown in FIG. 1. They may also be arranged in the order of "second section, first section, second section," i.e., second sections (non-elastic sections) may be arranged on both the neck leather 38 side and the hand leather 20 side, with an elastic section inserted between them. Alternatively, they may be arranged alternately, such as "first section, second section, first section, second section." In this case, the elasticity characteristics of multiple first sections may be varied. Furthermore, multiple short elastic sections (first sections) may be provided partially along the entire length of the belt-shaped portion 78.

[0056] For the length adjustment mechanism 80, in addition to the perforated belt and buckle system shown in the figure, a variety of mechanisms that combine reproducibility and operability can be appropriately adopted, such as a hook-and-loop system that can continuously regulate the overlap length of the belt-like portion, a one-touch quick-release system using a clamp with a cam lever, a system with a ratchet mechanism, or a dial-type closure that winds up the wire with a rotating knob. If a hook-and-loop system is selected, it can be easily fine-tuned by bare hands even when the horse is wearing thick winter clothing, and if a quick-release system is also used, it has the advantage of being able to be instantly released to release the horse's neck restraint in an emergency such as when the horse falls.

[0057] Furthermore, the branching configuration of the rear end portion 84 is not necessarily limited to a symmetrical Y-shape. By increasing the number of branches 84A and using a multi-point anchor structure that disperses and fixes them to multiple locations around the belly band 22, tension can be distributed more widely across the saddle 10, making it suitable for heavier riders and for heavy-duty training. Furthermore, the attachment position of the handle 82 is not limited to the branch base, but it can also be attached to any position on the belt-like portion 78 (particularly the second section 76) or slidably on the first section 74, making it an adjustable handle that can be adjusted according to the rider's physique and the purpose of training.

[0058] In terms of materials, the elastic section (first section 74) can be made of braided leather or elastomer-coated cord instead of flat bands made of natural or synthetic rubber to ensure stretchability. For the non-elastic section (second section 76), synthetic fiber tape, lightweight and water-resistant polypropylene webbing tape, or heat-resistant and flame-retardant para-aramid woven tape can be selected. The metal fittings are not limited to stainless steel; by combining reinforced resin buckles or machined aluminum alloy fittings, lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties can be achieved at the same time.

[0059] In this way, the auxiliary harness 100 can be modified in a variety of ways, such as the number and order of the elastic and non-elastic sections, the type of length adjustment mechanism, the branching method, the handle position, and the materials used, and it goes without saying that these modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Saddle 20 Leather 22 Abdominal band 38 Nuchal leather 50 Bridle 72 Tip 74 Section 1 76 Section 2 78 Belt 80 Adjustment mechanism 82 Handle 84 Rear end 84A Branch 84B Branch 84C Buckle 100 Auxiliary Horse Tack

Claims

1. An auxiliary harness that connects the nape leather of the bridle and the saddle leather attached to the girth of the saddle, A tip portion detachably attached to the neck strap; A rear end portion connected to the saddle; a band-shaped portion connecting the front end portion and the rear end portion, The auxiliary harness includes a first section formed of an elastic member in at least a portion of the length of the band-shaped portion.

2. 2. The auxiliary harness according to claim 1, wherein the rear end portion branches off from one end of the belt-shaped portion to form a pair of left and right branches, each of which is connected to the left and right hand straps on the horse's body.

3. 3. The auxiliary harness according to claim 2, wherein the strap is configured to extend along the upper surface of the horse's neck when attached to the horse's body.

4. 4. An auxiliary harness according to claim 3, wherein a handle that can be held by the rider is provided between the pair of left and right branch portions.

5. 5. The auxiliary harness according to claim 4, wherein the strap has a length adjustment mechanism.

6. 6. An auxiliary harness according to claim 5, wherein said elastic member is made of a rubber material.

7. 7. The auxiliary harness according to claim 6, wherein the first section of the band-shaped portion is disposed in a position close to the tip end portion.

8. 8. The assistive harness according to claim 7, wherein the strap comprises a second section connected to the first section, the second section being made of synthetic fiber.

Citation Information

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