Anatomical Throat Release Device for Horse Bridles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horse bridles with throatlatches often choke horses due to excessive tightening, leading to discomfort, breathing difficulties, and instability of the bridle, as they cannot be optimally adjusted to accommodate the horse's changing neck shape during movement.
Innovation Solution
An anatomical throat release device is integrated into the bridle, featuring a concave, semi-rigid central piece that maintains distance from the trachea, preventing excessive tightness and redistributing the bridle's weight from the poll and ears to the lower jaw area, supported by a padded noseband with adjustable buckles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the throatlatch is tightened to hold the bridle securely on the horse's head, then the bridle stability is improved, but the horse experiences choking and discomfort due to excessive pressure on the trachea
Solution Approach 1:
A throat release device is introduced as an intermediary component between the throatlatch and the trachea. This device includes a central piece that maintains a controlled distance from the trachea while allowing the throatlatch to remain tightened for bridle stability. The intermediary structure redistributes pressure away from the sensitive tracheal area while maintaining secure bridle attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The throat release device applies different pressure characteristics to different areas of the throat. The central piece creates a pressure-free zone over the trachea while the peripheral areas of the throatlatch maintain tightening for bridle security. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of bridle stability and prevention of choking.
2Reliability
If the throatlatch is tightened to prevent the bridle from coming off, then the bridle security is improved, but the horse's breathing is restricted and saliva intake is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The throat release device acts as a mediator that allows the throatlatch to maintain tightening for bridle security while preventing direct compression of the trachea. The central piece creates a buffer zone that preserves airway patency and swallowing function, thereby maintaining breathing and saliva intake without compromising bridle attachment.
3Ease of operation
If the throatlatch is made adjustable to accommodate the horse's changing neck shape, then the comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The throat release device incorporates dynamic adaptability through its central piece design that maintains a consistent distance from the trachea regardless of neck position changes. The device adapts to the horse's changing neck shape during movement while maintaining its pressure-relief function, achieving dynamics without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
4Force
If the throatlatch is positioned to support the bridle weight, then the weight distribution is improved, but the cheekpiece movement is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The throat release device serves as an intermediary that allows the throatlatch to bear bridle weight while the central piece maintains distance from the trachea to preserve cheekpiece movement. The device redistributes forces so that weight support does not compromise the freedom of movement required for effective bit work and rein communication.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an anatomical throat release device for throatlatches of horse bridles with bits that is made up of a single piece (1) located in the centre of the throatlatch (4), meaning in the middle of the path surrounding the horse's neck and which, once placed, corresponds to the trachea/throat area, which is precisely the area in which pressure must be avoided when placing and tightening the throatlatch (4).