Abstract: A method of manufacturing an equine protective covering by applying a stamp comprises a profiled shape with a predetermined temperature and pressure to the interior side of the cushion assembly. The first synthetic fabric layer and the second neoprene layer are permanently bonded. The second neoprene layer is plastically deformed such that the profiled shape of the stamp is permanently transferred to the second neoprene layer. The plastic deformation of the second neoprene layer is such that the perforations remain open.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an equine protective covering by applying a stamp comprises a profiled shape with a predetermined temperature and pressure to the interior side of the cushion assembly. The first synthetic fabric layer and the second neoprene layer are permanently bonded. The second neoprene layer is plastically deformed such that the profiled shape of the stamp is permanently transferred to the second neoprene layer. The plastic deformation of the second neoprene layer is such that the perforations remain open.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing an equine protective covering includes applying a stamp comprising a profiled shape with a predetermined temperature and pressure to the interior side of the cushion assembly such that concurrently: the first synthetic fabric layer and the second neoprene layer are permanently bonded; the second neoprene layer is plastically deformed such that the profiled shape of the stamp is permanently transferred to the second neoprene layer; and the plastic deformation of the second neoprene layer is such that the perforations remain open.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing an equine protective covering includes applying a stamp comprising a profiled shape with a predetermined temperature and pressure to the interior side of the cushion assembly such that concurrently: the first synthetic fabric layer and the second neoprene layer are permanently bonded; the second neoprene layer is plastically deformed such that the profiled shape of the stamp is permanently transferred to the second neoprene layer; and the plastic deformation of the second neoprene layer is such that the perforations remain open.

Abstract: A bit (10) includes a mouthpiece (12) having two mouthpiece members (20). Each of the mouthpiece members has an end (20a,20b) which faces the other mouthpiece member, and the two ends are connected to one another by a joining arrangement comprising (26) one or more pivots and a stop system. The stop system limits the relative angular displacement of the mouthpiece members from a reference position towards the rear of a horse. In the reference position, the joining arrangement and the two ends of the mouthpiece members connected by the arrangement lie approximately along a straight line. The stop system prevents relative angular displacement of the mouthpiece members from the reference position towards the rear of the horse or limits the relative angular displacement in this direction to a minor fraction of the maximum possible relative angular displacement of the mouthpiece members from the reference position towards the front of the horse.

Abstract: A stirrup includes a footrest which is attached to a hanger for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. The footrest has an opening which accommodates a shock-absorbing element while a second shock-absorbing element is positioned on the footrest outside of the opening. The shock-absorbing elements are held on the footrest by two clamping elements which are discrete from the footrest and the shock-absorbing elements.

Abstract: A stirrup has a pair of arms, an eye on the arms for receiving a strap, and a footrest on the arms for supporting the foot of a rider. A cylinder/plunger assembly at each end of the footrest defines its travel between a retracted position and an extended position. A spring acting on the plunger in each cylinder urges the footrest toward the retracted position, such as to provide shock absorption for downward pressure exerted by the foot of a rider.

Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of western spurs. The unfolded carton is substantially symmetrical with respect to both its major and minor axes and comprises a bottom section from which two pairs of largely equal structural segments (a front and a back section) project outwards along the longitudinal axis. A cut at the boundary between the bottom section and each of these structural segments defines an extension sufficiently large to support the tips of the sides of the two spurs. The front section of the cardboard carton contains a cut that defines a substantially rectangular tab and a corresponding opening suitable for passing the sides of two spurs therethrough. The top of the front section also contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving the hook of a display rack.

Abstract: A bit has two cheeks which are rotatably mounted in respective sleeves. The sleeves are connected to one another by a mouth having an adjustable width. Each of the sleeves is rotatable independently of the other on an axis extending in a direction from one of the sleeves to the other.

Abstract: A stirrup has a pair of arms, an eye on the arms for receiving a strap, and a foot on the arms for supporting the foot of a rider. The eye and the foot of the stirrup are rotatable relative to the arms. The arms define a plane and the upper surface of the foot of the stirrup is perpendicular to this plane in one terminal position of the foot of the stirrup. The foot of the stirrup can only rotate backwards from this position. The eye has an opening for a strap, and the eye is freely rotatable relative to the arms through an angle of 90 degrees to and from a position in which the opening is coplanar with the arms.

Abstract: An impermeable horse blanket includes mesh material for ventilation of the horse's back while it is covered by the blanket. The mesh material is shielded by a waterproof top cover that protects it and prevents water from wetting the horse while allowing breathing through the openings of the mesh. The front edge of the top cover is attached to the blanket by means of a continuous seam along a front hem that encases a length of plastic piping sufficiently thick to provide a relief structure for raising the front edge of the cover slightly with respect to the blanket and the mesh material. The top cover is also stitched to the blanket at discrete points around its sides and back edge, such that relatively long segments of the side and back perimeter are not attached to the blanket. Thus, an air stream produced by wind or the horse's motion is able to flow between the top cover and the mesh material, thereby producing desirable ventilation while still protecting the back of the horse from rain.

Abstract: A horse blanket that includes a plurality of grommeted netted eyelets to provide ventilation to the portion of the horse's body covered by the blanket. Each netted eyelet is also covered by a flap that is attached to the blanket above the eyelet but is free below the eyelet. The grommets defining the edge of each eyelet are sufficiently thick to provide a relief structure to prevent water that may reach the hole from passing through under the blanket. The netting material overlapping the eyelet ensures that insects and debris also cannot infiltrate the blanket. On the other hand, sweat and other moisture created under the blanket can escape through the covered eyelets and the horse is kept dry and comfortable.

Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of western spurs. The unfolded carton is substantially symmetrical with respect to both its major and minor axes and comprises a bottom section from which two pairs of largely equal structural segments (a front and a back section) project outwards along the longitudinal axis. A cut at the boundary between the bottom section and each of these structural segments defines an extension sufficiently large to support the tips of the sides of the two spurs. The front section of the cardboard carton contains a cut that defines a substantially rectangular tab and a corresponding opening suitable for passing the sides of two spurs therethrough. The top of the front section also contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving the hook of a display rack.

Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a spur. The top section of the unfolded cardboard carton contains a cutout and an elongated tab projecting upwards; the end of the tab consists of a distal foldable flap separated from the tab by two lateral indentations. The central section of the carton contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving a hook of a display rack and two lower vertical slots spaced apart a distance commensurate with the size of the spur. In addition, a partial cut in the area above and around the upper slot defines a boundary between the upper and central sections of the carton such that the hanging slot is unencumbered when the two sections are folded. Finally, a horizontal slit sized to receive the tab is cut above and between the two vertical slots, the exact position being selected to meet the tab when the upper section of the carton is folded over the central section.

Abstract: An equestrian bit is manufactured with a nickel-free alloy containing copper in the range of 85-90 wt %, aluminum in the range of 8-11 wt %, and ferrite in the range of 2-4 wt %. The bit has mechanical strength comparable to prior-art components built with copper alloys containing nickel and is more readily accepted by horses because of its high-copper and nickel-free composition. The preferred composition of the alloy is approximately 88 wt % copper, 10 wt % aluminum, and 2 wt % ferrite.

Abstract: A single-piece cardboard sheet into which slots and tabs are advantageously cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of stirrups. The unfolded cardboard carton is substantially symmetrical. A first pair of structural segments projects in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the carton, each segment comprising an elongated tab with a distal end sized to fit within a slot in the top section. Two lateral cuts are provided in each elongated tab. A second pair of structural segments projects in opposite directions along the transverse axis of the carton, each segment comprising a separation section with a distal slit cut along its axis. The stirrups are packaged by folding the tabs downward, inward and upward through the slot in the top section, thereby wrapping around the stirrups, folding the separation section between the stirrups, and latching the slits in the separation sections to the lateral cuts in the elongated tabs.

Abstract: An equestrian bit consists of a steel core which is at least partly encased in plastic. The core is made up of two holding members for the rings attached to the reins of a horse, and an elongated bendable member which connects the holding members to one another. Each of the holding members includes a tubular portion which is provided with a shoulder at either end. When the core is coated with plastic by injection molding, the shoulders enhance the flow of plastic around the tubular portions. Each of the holding members further includes a protrusion which projects outward from the peripheral surface of the respective tubular portion. The protrusions are formed with channels which receive the ends of the connecting member, and such ends are soldered, brazed or welded to the protrusions. Insertion of the ends of the connecting member in the channels allows a strong bond to be achieved between the connecting member and the holding members.