Abstract: An improved saddle tree is provided, which flexibly confirms to a horse's back to accommodate the physically characteristics of a given horse, and incorporates a damping system to preclude excessive vibrations in the flexible materials. The saddle tree includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic skirts connected by a spanning member and a seat element. The seat element is coupled with the respective skirts at two forward pivot mountings, and the spanning member extends between the skirts at a rearward position. The seat element carries a skid assembly at a position just rearward of the pommel, and this assembly deforms under compressive loading to provide damping action. The cantle portion of the seat element slidably and frictionally engages the top of the spanning member.

Abstract: An improved saddle tree assembly (10) which permits infinite adjustment at multiple points so that the tree may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the physical characteristics of a given horse. The saddle tree assembly includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic resin skirts (12, 14) together with a spanning, overlying tree frame (16). The frame is coupled to the skirts by means of threaded adjustment structures (18, 20, 22, 24) permitting selective shifting between the tree frame and skirts. At each connection point between the tree frame and skirts a multiple-layer, rivet-connected plate assembly (62, 64 and 82, 84) is provided, which serves to effectively and evenly distribute the rider's weight, in order to minimize pinching or bruising of the horse's back.

Abstract: An improved breastplate assembly (10) which is adapted for connection with a saddle (12) and serves as a humane training aid to encourage a horse to travel with its head lowered while avoiding injury to the animal in the event of undue upward movement of the horse's head and neck. The breastplate assembly (10) includes a breastplate (14) having a pair of interconnected straps (24, 26) adapted for connection to the saddle (12), together with a depending central strap (16) coupled with the breastplate (14) and extending downwardly for connection with the lower girth strap (22) of saddle (12). The central strap (16) includes an elongated, axially stretchable section (42), which preferably forms the lowermost section of the strap (16). A tiedown strap (18) is secured to the central strap (16) and extends upwardly for coupling with the horse's bridle to provide yieldable, axially stretching of the central strap (16) in response to upward movement of the horse's head.

Abstract: An improved saddle tree is provided, which flexibly confirms to a horse's back to accommodate the physically characteristics of a given horse, and incorporates a damping system to preclude excessive vibrations in the flexible materials. The saddle tree includes a pair of laterally spaced apart, flexible synthetic skirts connected by a spanning member and a seat element. The seat element is coupled with the respective skirts at two forward pivot mountings, and the spanning member extends between the skirts at a rearward position. The seat element carries a skid assembly at a position just rearward of the pommel, and this assembly deforms under compressive loading to provide damping action. The cantle portion of the seat element slidably and frictionally engages the top of the spanning member.