Equine Training Device Force Division Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equine training aids fail to effectively divide the pulling force through the reins into sub-forces applied to the horse's mouth and nose, limiting the speed and ease of correcting head position during training.
Innovation Solution
A training apparatus comprising a pivot assembly with a length-adjustable strap and a head communication assembly using a flexible cord member and O-rings, which divides the rein force into a mouth force component and a nose force component, allowing for leveraged contact with the bit and facilitating correction of the horse's head position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional martingale is used to control the horse's head position, then the horse is prevented from raising its head too high, but the device does not effectively divide the pulling force into sub-forces applied to the mouth and nose, limiting training efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling force through the reins is segmented into two distinct sub-forces: one applied to the horse's mouth via the bit and another applied to the horse's nose via the noseband. This force segmentation enables more effective and efficient head position correction by targeting two different anatomical points simultaneously, thereby improving training productivity without requiring overly complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The martingale assembly acts as an intermediary device that transfers and divides the rein force between the bit and noseband. The flexible cord member and connection means serve as mediators to distribute the force appropriately to both the mouth and nose, enabling effective force division while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Reliability
If a standing martingale is used to prevent the horse from flipping its head up, then the head position is controlled, but the horse's freedom of head movement is completely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The martingale assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a flexible cord member and slidable connection means that allow the device to adapt to different head positions. The system provides reliable head position control when needed while automatically adjusting to permit natural head movement during galloping and other activities where freedom of movement is required, thus maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
3Force
If more force is applied through the reins to correct head position, then correction effectiveness increases, but the rider cannot use 'soft hands' and training becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the correction force into two sub-forces applied to different anatomical points (mouth and nose), the system achieves effective head position correction with reduced overall force requirement. This allows the rider to maintain soft hands while still obtaining effective correction, as the divided force is more efficiently transmitted to the horse's head control points.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the parameter of force distribution by dividing a single pulling force into two separate force vectors applied at different locations on the horse's head. This parameter change in force distribution increases correction effectiveness while reducing the total force the rider must apply, thereby maintaining ease of operation and soft hands control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This division of force components enables faster and easier correction of the horse's head position, promoting accelerated training by reducing the required force and allowing for 'soft hands' while maintaining freedom of head movement.
Implementation Method 1
divides the rein force into a mouth force component and a nose force component, allowing for leveraged contact with the bit
Data Source
AI summary
An equine training apparatus used in conjunction with: 1) a bridle supporting a bit, 2) a noseband, 3) riding reins connected to the bit, and 4) a breastplate, the apparatus comprising a head communication assembly comprising a cord member having a first end attached to a first O-ring, a second end attached to a second O-ring and noseband connection means between said first end and said second end and dividing said cord member into a first fork and a second fork; a sliding member in slidable engagement with said first fork and said second fork; and fork-body connection means for anchoring said sliding member to any of a breast plate, neckstrap, girth, cinch or the like. The sliding member acts as a pulley about which at least one fork is disposed and, when anchored to body tack via fork-body connection means provides a pivot point about which each fork may act; the sliding member effectively divides force applied through the reins into a mouth force component and a nose force component.