Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device that satisfies the need for a youth/small person stirrup attachment for an adult sized saddle to accommodate needs of a youth/small person saddle without the expense of a uniquely sized saddle for the child. The attachment has: a middle portion for support of a child/youth; a front portion of the attachment coupled to an adult saddle horn; a stretchable strap coupled on a first end to a rear portion of the attachment; a second end of the stretchable strap coupled to a rear portion of the adult saddle; a bottom portion of has attachment having a friction layer between the attachment and a top layer of the adult saddle; and a pair of stirrups with each stirrup coupled to a side of the middle area of the attachment by a stirrup adjustment portion. Such an attachment enhances the safety and comfort of said child/youth while riding a horse.

Abstract: An equestrian saddle includes a tree made of a substantially rigid material and defining a substantially vertical longitudinal center plane, a seating surface for the user, which is associated to the tree, and a pair of flaps arranged on opposite sides from the vertical plane and connected to the tree in a connection area proximate to the seating surface. Each flap includes at least one edge element having an outer surface with a relatively high friction coefficient for providing a grip on the user's leg. Each of the edge elements at least partially extends toward the connection area and is made of a material having a greater stiffness than the flaps for locally increasing resistance to wear caused by the user's leg rubbing thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel saddle for horses, consisting of a head iron (1) and a saddletree having a seat (2), saddle flaps (3) provided on both sides of said seat, sweat flaps (4) lying beneath said saddle flaps (3), a saddle pad (5), which lies on the back of the mount behind the shoulders thereof when the saddle is being used, and stirrup straps (6) lying on or under the saddle flaps (3) and being fastened to stirrup bars. The saddle is characterized in that, below the point of the head iron (1), the sweat flaps (4) have a rearward facing curved recess/cutback (40) and are padded over the entire area thereof. The recess of the sweat flaps according to the invention ensures that the saddle has absolute shoulder and muscle freedom, unobstructed lateral movement in stretch extension, and optimal flexibility at the rear owing to a special pad position described in detail hereafter, extending as far as at most the 18th thoracic vertebra.

Abstract: A saddle for horses which is adapted to the body of the equine by means of a set of pads comprising a structured filling with a spongy material of fibers and a layer of a neoprene material, where such set of pads homogeneously distribute strains and temperatures which are generated on the back of them, preventing possible fatigues and chronic pains caused by the weight of the horseman during and after a physical effort.

Abstract: A saddle accessory apparatus is comprised of at least one panel of fabric material having a saddle seat covering portion shaped and sized to cover a saddle seat when mounted thereupon, and first and second flap portions, each extending from opposing sides of the seat covering portion and sized and shaped to cover the stirrup leathers of an English-style saddle, and all or substantially all of the fenders of a Western-style saddle. The apparatus protects the rider's bare legs when riding in shorts. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes riding implement retention means for retention of crops, bats, rods and the like and preventing them from falling to the ground if accidentally dropped.

Abstract: The invention also a stabilizing system to stabilize a rider in the saddle comprising a saddle stabilizer block which can be used alone or in combination with a complementary boot stabilizer block to restrict movement of the rider in the saddle.

Abstract: A treeless exercise saddle for training racehorses is provided. The saddle comprises a top surface having a substantially contiguous seat portion adjacent to opposing side panels, and a substantially flat pommel area; a bottom surface opposed to the top surface of the saddle and having a pair of opposing conformable panels affixed to the bottom surface of the saddle. The conformable panels have substantially rectangular cross sections. Optionally, leg flaps may be affixed to the seat portion and the pommel area. The facing surfaces of the conformable panels, together with the bottom or other surface of the saddle, form a gullet area. The gullet area has a cross section wherein the facing surfaces are substantially straight, and wherein the bottom or other surface of the gullet area is substantially straight and substantially perpendicular to the straight facing surfaces, such that the racehorse's spine may protrude into the gullet area when the saddle is mounted on the racehorse.

Abstract: A seat pad including a top layer having a front end and a back end, a bottom layer having a front end and a back end, a cavity defined by the top layer and the bottom layer, a climate controlled thermal pad disposed within the cavity, a first attachment system secured proximate the bottom layer back end for containing a saddle cantle, and a second attachment system secured proximate the bottom layer front end for containing a saddle pommel. The thermal pad is activatable to either heat or cool the top layer of the seat pad.

Abstract: A horseback riding assembly comprises a saddle, the saddle including a body arranged about a central axis. The body has a proximal region to be adjacent a neck region of a horse. The body includes a pair of lateral portions extending outwardly from the central axis, each of the lateral portions having an inner panel portion providing an inner surface region for engaging a corresponding back region of the horse. An outer panel portion provides an outer surface for receiving a corresponding thigh region of a horseback rider. The body includes an access path between the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion. An assistance bar unit includes a gripping bar portion arranged to be oriented transverse to the central axis and adjacent the proximal region. The gripping bar portion has a pair of opposed end regions and a pair of support portions, each extending from a corresponding end region.

Abstract: The invention concerns a riding saddle (200) with a gullet plate (101; 101?) as well as a gullet plate (101, 101?). A gullet plate (101, 101?), which is designed and arranged in a riding saddle (200) so that the foremost part (103) of the gullet plate (101; 101?) is situated above the lowermost part (104) and, when the riding saddle (200) is mounted, the gullet plate arms (102, 102?) enclosing the back of the horse (11) on its downward facing ends (105) each define a pressure surface (112) with a longitudinal extent that runs roughly parallel to the dorsal vertebrae (3) of the animal, contributing to more uniform weight distribution on the forehand and hind quarters and simultaneously giving the rider considerable latitude in order to convey commands with his body language.

Abstract: A riding saddle includes a saddle tree determining a saddle structure and seat padding thereon. The seat padding, in a supporting region for a rider's posterior, has two padded elevations projecting from a basic saddle surface and mutually separated by a flat depression. Dimensioning and configuration of the elevations and depression relieve a rider's buttocks from load during riding by more greatly padding ischial protuberances than buttocks. The elevations have a surface, at least 150 cm2, causing at least the ischial protuberances of riders of different height and different distances between the ischial protuberances to be padded in different sitting positions. The elevations have rounded outer contours, are matched to the saddle shape, are formed by two separate pads with the depression formed therebetween to the basic saddle surface below the pads. The saddle increases comfort by distributing weight over the posterior surface and saddle, providing secure and unstressed seating.

Abstract: A saddle for equestrian use has on each of its flaps a knee roll which is of generally concave shape at its rear face to retain the thigh of the rider. This is of particular advantage in saddles for use in dressage and endurance events and tends to prevent the rider's leg from moving over the knee roll during working movements of the horse.

Abstract: A saddle (1) for a horse comprises a pair of side support panels (4) for engaging in the back of the horse (2) and a seat (8) resiliency carried on the side support panels (4) by a pair of mounting members (10) integrally formed with the seat (8) and the side support panels (4). Side members (5) releasably secured to the side support panels (4) extend downwardly on opposite sides of the animal and are releasably secured by a girth strap (6) extending beneath the belly of the horse. A pair of sweat absorbing pads (22) secured to the underside of the side support panels (4) act to transfer sweat from the back of the horse for evaporation thereof. A seat cover (28) is secured to the seat (8), and straps (32) extending from the seat cover (28) carry stirrups (33).

Abstract: A method of customizing a saddle to fit the back of a particular horse by using shims of various shapes and sizes between the underside of the saddle and pad. These shims are attached to the underside of the saddle and to the pad by a hook and loop fastening system. Different types molding or rebounding pads may be used. The rebounding pads are useful to allow the interchange of saddles between different horses while achieving a perfect fit on each horse.

Abstract: An adjustable equestrian saddle and adjusting and reinforcing system for adjusting an equestrian saddle to permit the saddle fit several sizes of the back and withers of one or more horses, wherein the adjusting system comprises a plurality of reinforcing members having different angular dimensions with the saddle having a headplate for interchangeably receiving the reinforcing members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a numnah for interposition between a saddle and an animal to be ridden. The numnah comprises a first layer that constitutes a base layer of polymer foam with an open cell structure and a second layer in the form of a cover fabric with an open structure intended to be applied against the back of the animal to be ridden. The base layer substantially consists of polyurethane foam and at least 50% recycled polyurethane foam with a high water absorption capacity. A suitable material may be a Poliyou® foam.

Abstract: A saddle cloth for equestrian use to be applied to a horse prior to application of the saddle has zones adapted to lie beneath the saddle panels at respective sides of the horse. Each zone includes within a pocket, a separate air bag at least in a forward and a rearward part of the zone such that each air bag serves to apply a relatively even pressure to the back of the horse. Each air bag is substantially flat and is filled within its interior with a resiliently compressible open cell foam and air sealed within the bag is substantially at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: These interface pads with proportional valves have at least one inflatable member having a foam core with a cell structure that absorbs atmospheric air. The transmission of air into the foam core is controlled by a valve in said opening. Fasteners are used to affix this inflatable member in a location where it can serve as an interface pad between a living creature and another object. The valve used is a proportional valve adjustable to different pressure settings, where the different pressure settings allow air to escape from the valve until the set pressure is reached. In one preferred embodiment, there are two inflatable members adapted for placement adjacent the upper sides of a load-bearing animal. An important subcategory of this embodiment covers bareback riding pads, including bareback riding pads for use by handicapped persons. In other embodiments, at least one inflatable member is adapted to pad an interface between a human and an object.

Abstract: A device for seating a rider on an animal, preferably a horse, the device comprising: a first frame member (20) having a proximal end, a distal end, and a middle section extending therebetween; a second side frame member (22) having a proximal end, a distal and a middle section extending therebetween, wherein the first and second frame members are attached in such a way as to create a sitting area for the rider between the first and second frame members.

Abstract: These interface pads have a right and a left inflatable member with the volume of air in each of these inflatable members being independently adjustable. Each member is adapted to provide an interface between one side of a load-bearing animal and a load-supporting structure such as a saddle. Connecting means span the spinal area of the animal and link the members to one another in a manner that avoids the placement of any substantial compression on the animal's supraspinous ligament. Moreover, a gullet channel is maintained so as to allow appropriate ventilation in this area. The inflatable members are constructed of a foam core wholly surrounded by and bonded to a pair of thin skins or panels, forming a fluid tight envelope. A valve is disposed between the chamber formed by the envelope and the ambient environment. After allowing inflation of an air pad of this type and placing a load (such as the saddle and/or rider) thereon, the valve can be opened.

Abstract: In a saddle for equestrian use, the saddle panels are secured within the saddle at their front and rear ends by screws driven into the saddle tree whereby the saddles can be detached from the saddle just by removal of the screws. Each panel is stiffened around its rear edge by wire or rod so that its edge is substantially self-supporting between the points of attachment defined by adjacent screws.

Abstract: A novel saddle pad will help disburse the pressure over a greater area on the animal's back, thus reducing pressure points and reducing discomfort for the animal. The saddle pad works by providing a bar cutout area that is thinner than the remainder of the saddle pad. Saddle skirts, while somewhat flexible, generally have some rigidity. The saddle is placed over the saddle pad with the tree resting over the thinner, bar cutout area, while the remainder of the saddle skirt rests over the thicker, standard area. The skirt flexes outwardly slightly, but as it resist further outward flexion, there is an equalization of the pressure exerted from the saddle and rider over the entire underside of the saddle rather mainly under the tree. In this manner, downward force is disbursed.

Abstract: A saddle for equestrian use has panels having sealed air bags filled with air at atmospheric pressure to permit an even pressure to be applied over the back of a horse. The interior of the panel above the air bags is filled with packing material to permit adjustment of the fit of the saddle on the horse throughout the working life of the saddle.

Abstract: The inventive saddle pads are for placement between a saddle and a horse's back, or between a saddle and the rider, for therapeutic and cushioning protection for the horse and for the rider. The saddle pads incorporate a perforated honeycomb cellular structure which contours to the horse's back and/or the saddle to provide uniform load distribution. The honeycomb cells of the pad are aligned perpendicular to the horse's back and flex with movement to reduce shear forces against the horse's skin. The ability of the honeycomb to contour and flex with the movement helps keep the pad securely in place, eliminating rubbing and chafing.

Abstract: A saddle tree comprising a first and a second side bar, a center bar, and a base. The first and second side bars each include a proximal and a distal end. The center bar is associated with each of the first and second side bars toward the proximal ends thereof. The base is associated with each of the first and second side bars at a second end and the center bar at a first end. The center bar is structurally configured to provide both torsional and longitudinal flexibility, to, in turn, permit the first and second side bars to move independently of each other.

Abstract: The present invention describes improvements in “Western” style saddles allowing existing saddles to be converted to a European saddle panel style which will facilitate a method of modelling the underside of the saddle to fit a horse's back. There is described a panel adapted for mounting to an underside of a skirt of a saddle, the panel comprising a sheet of a padded material and a sheet of a flexationally resistive material, the sheets being generally shaped to match a shape of the skirt to which the panel will be secured, and wherein the sheets are bonded together generally around their edges to define a pocket therebetween; and wherein the pocket is filled with a resilient medium. The resilient medium may be conventional flocking, but preferably comprises at least one inflatable bladder. The use of two generally coplanar inflatable bladders arranged to provide an overlap between the two bladders, is preferred.

Abstract: This invention relates to a saddle seat. This seat is adaptable to most “western” styled saddle tree and saddle jockey constructions. It is comprised of a base section that is flexible for absorbing some of the concussion related to the normal movement from a horse while being ridden. It is constructed of a single piece of flexible material of medium rigidity that attaches to the front and rear of the saddle tree, being positioned to result in it's elevation above the top surface of the saddle tree bars. It also includes a sculptured pad assembly comprising a seat padding being 2 pieces of firm padding material attaching to a saddle jockey construction to provide cushion for the riders hip bone and some elevation for clearance and relief of the riders groin, pelvic and genitalia area. Covering the sculptured and contoured seat padding is a layer of top padding and a seat cover, both being attached to a saddle jockey construction.

Abstract: A treeless and gulletless saddle comprises a layered arrangement of flexible leather and foam, without including a rigid saddletree or frame. In particular, the inventive saddle comprises two lower body half sections sewn together to define a saddle body. An underside of said saddle body is in form fitting continuous contact with the back of the horse across the full surface area of a central contact region. The saddle further comprises additional layers of soft leather and foam shaped to define an upwardly extending pommel, an upwardly extending cantle, and a lowered seat area positioned therebetween. The arched and contoured shape of the saddle, therefore, is defined by soft foam and leather and not by a rigid steel or wooden internal frame.

Abstract: A cover for an equestrian saddle, the cover including a flexible sleeve with a pocket adapted for creating a generally pear-shaped opening. The hollow flexible sleeve includes a pair of web sections, one web section extending from one of the sides of the sleeve towards the pocket and the other web extending from the remaining side and extending towards the pocket, the sleeve further having a chord adapted for attaching the sleeve to the equestrian saddle. An elongated gel cushion of substantially uniform thickness, the cushion being adapted for fitting within the hollow flexible sleeve, is also used with the sleeve.

Abstract: A synthetic saddle tree for riding saddles having a shell-shaped seat region (4) and an upwards raised pommel section (6) attaching thereto at the front and running towards the withers of the horse is characterised in that in the seat region a window (14) covered by a pad (16) is left open. Thus, a saddle having a softer seat region can be manufactured in this way than saddles using conventional synthetic saddle trees.

Abstract: A saddle tree has a rigid pommel portion and a rigid cantle portion joined by at least one discrete flexible connector whereby the tree is able to flex centrally of the tree.

Abstract: A saddle assembly comprising a seat portion with panels detachably mounted thereto, one on each of the opposing sides. An under flap and a long flap are detachably secured to each panel, the long flap overlying the under flap. The panels and long flaps each have cooperating fasteners for detachably securing the under flaps and long flaps to the respective panels. Each panel includes a cavity for receiving a filler material. The cavity has an access opening suitably configured for adding and removing material from the cavity, and fasteners across the opening for retaining the material in the cavity. Alternatively, the panel includes an inflatable cavity with a valve for controlling the passage of fluid to and from the cavity.