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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This applications claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/172,089 filed on Apr. 23, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to horseback riding saddles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Horse saddles of the English riding type often have protrusions located on the saddle flaps called blocks. These blocks are typically placed either at the front edge of the saddle, the rear edge of the saddle or both the front and rear edges of the saddle. The blocks are either sewn to the leather of the saddle or are attached with Velcro. The purpose of traditional leg blocks is to prevent the rider&#39;s leg from moving too far forwards or too far backwards in the saddle. 
         [0004]    Saddle blocks are able to be attached to the front and rear area of a saddle flap but are not able to be attached in the center area of the saddle flap because this is where the strap system that secures the saddle to the horse is located. In English saddles the securing strap is called a girth and circles around the midsection of the horse securing on both sides of the saddle by fixed straps called billets. Depending on the saddle type there can be one or multiple billet straps, these straps are confined to the central location of the saddle flap because the horse&#39;s shoulders and grooves behind the elbows are used to keep the saddle from sliding forward. 
         [0005]    Traditional leg blocks will deform to a degree when the rider&#39;s leg is pressed against the block. Traditional blocks are attached to a leather saddle flap, when force is applied to the traditional leg block the flexible leather saddle flap will also deform. Traditional leather saddle flaps and traditional leg blocks are too pliable to create enough resistance to retard the upward momentum of the rider&#39;s leg that is created by the motion of the horse. 
         [0006]    It is known that shoulder-hip-heel positioning with the shoulder-hip-heel line being located in the area of the girth is appropriate for multiple riding disciplines, however, this can be difficult to achieve without blocks to guide the rider&#39;s legs into the appropriate position. 
         [0007]    Horse saddles typically have a weight distributing internal component referred to as a saddle tree. Traditionally, saddle trees are comprised of a relatively solid, usually wooden structure which is used to transfer the weight of the rider evenly over the horse&#39;s back. Stirrups are affixed to the saddle tree by a stirrup bar which holds the stirrup strap. The stirrup bar allows the stirrup strap to become dislodged, preventing a fallen rider from being dragged behind the horse. The stirrup bar is not placed in the center of the saddle in the shoulder-hip-heel line and girth area because the stirrup bar will interfere with the rider&#39;s inner thigh. Also, the central area of the saddle is less reinforced and is more prone to damage from use; this is why traditionally the stirrup bar is affixed to the front portion of the saddle tree. Forward placement of the stirrup bar encourages sub-optimal rider posture. It is known that shoulder-hip-heel positioning is appropriate for multiple riding disciplines, however, this is difficult to achieve with a forward stirrup attachment. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, riders typically experience instability in the saddle coincident with movement of the horse. Instability can be experienced on horses with bouncy or exuberant gaits, in jumping activities, during activities that involve high speeds or activities involving changes in the rate of speed. Improvements in saddles that provided riders with increased security in the saddle and diminished the negative impact of the rider&#39;s movements on the horse&#39;s back would be of great benefit. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A saddle stabilizer block for stabilizing a rider in a saddle comprising an attachment means to attach the saddle stabilizer block to the saddle at a position to allow engagement of the saddle stabilizer block with the lower leg of a rider. 
         [0010]    A stabilizing system for stabilizing a rider to a saddle comprising at least one saddle stabilizer block attachable to the saddle and a boot stabilizer block attachable to at least one of a boot and a lower leg of a rider, wherein the saddle stabilizer block and the boot stabilizer block engage to stabilize the rider in the saddle. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the saddle stabilizer block is attached to the saddle at a location that contains the girth strap system that attaches the saddle to the horse. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  shows a side elevation view of a traditional English saddle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  shows the saddle of  FIG. 1A  having a saddle flap raised. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of a saddle stabilizer block attached to a pair of girth billets according to another aspect of the saddle of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3A  shows a perspective view of a boot stabilizer block for use with the saddle of the present invention directly attached to a boot. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3B  shows a perspective view of the boot stabilizer block attached to a strap having a buckle for adjustable attachment of the boot stabilizer block to a leg of a rider. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3C  shows a side elevation view of the boot stabilizer block with a clip for attachment to the boot of a rider. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3D  shows a side elevation view of the boot stabilizer block with an overhang for slidable engagement with the boot of a rider. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a side elevation cross-sectional view of the saddle stabilizer block attached to the saddle engaged with the boot stabilizer block attached to the boot of a rider. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the saddle stabilizer block attached to girth billets and the boot stabilizer block attached to the boot of a rider. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of the saddle stabilizer block attached to girth billets and the boot stabilizer block attached to the boot of a rider. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a side elevation view of a saddle stabilizer block attached to a pair of widened girth billets. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the saddle stabilizer block attached to a separate set of straps. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and/or processes have not been described or shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. In the description and drawings, like numerals refer to like structures or and/or processes. 
         [0026]    It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a saddle stabilizer block” includes reference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a traditional English saddle  100 , the saddle  100  having a saddle pommel region  102  at a front portion of the saddle  100 , a saddle twist region  104  at the most narrow part of the saddle  100  directly behind the saddle pommel region  102 , a saddle seat region  106  to accommodate a rider and a saddle cantle region  108  at a rear portion of the saddle  100 . A stirrup bar (not shown) is attached to a saddle tree (not shown) and extends from a saddle skirt  110  which covers the saddle tree (not shown). An outer saddle flap  112  is shown extending from underneath the saddle skirt  110 . A stirrup leather  120  is shown extending from underneath the saddle skirt  110 . The stirrup leather  120  is attached to the saddle  100  by means of the stirrup bar (not visible). 
         [0028]      FIG. 1B  is a side elevation view of the saddle  100  with the outer flap  112  raised exposing the underlying lower flap  116  and girth billets  118  which are attached to the saddle tree (not shown). A traditional front leg block  140  and rear leg block  130  are shown. 
         [0029]    According to an aspect of the invention, a stabilizing system is provided for stabilizing a rider in a saddle. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a saddle stabilizer block  1100  attached to a pair of girth billets  118  is shown in exploded view. The saddle stabilizer block  1100  has apertures  1102  that extend through the saddle stabilizer block  1100 . A Chicago screw  1110  shown in cross section is used to attach the saddle stabilizer block  1100  to the girth billet  118 . A female end  1112  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through an aperture  1102  in the saddle stabilizer block  1100 . A male end  1114  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through an aperture  1116  in the girth billet  118 . In order to secure the saddle stabilizer block  1100  to the girth billet  118 , the male end  1114  of the Chicago screw  1110  is securely inserted into the female end  1112  of the Chicago screw  1110 . Preferably, the saddle stabilizer block  1100  attaches to at least one aperture  1116  on each the girth billets  118 . More preferably, the saddle stabilizer block  1100  has multiple apertures  1102  to enable attachment of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  to each girth billet  118  at multiple points. The above describes an internal version of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  as it is attached directly to the girth billets  118  which are generally located beneath a saddle flap  112 . The saddle stabilizer block  1100  is positioned to engage a rider&#39;s lower leg, stabilizing the rider in the saddle  100 . The saddle stabilizer block  1100  is attached to the girth billets  118  of the saddle  100  by means of weight-bearing fasteners such as Chicago screws  1110 . Preferably, the saddle stabilizer block  1100  engages a rider&#39;s leg just below the knee. 
         [0030]    Although the saddle stabilizer block  1100  may engage a rider&#39;s lower leg or a boot  1210  directly, preferably, the stabilizing system includes a corresponding boot stabilizer block. Referring to  FIG. 3A , a boot stabilizer block  1200  attached to the boot  1210  is shown in exploded view. A boot stabilizer block aperture  1202  extends through the boot stabilizer block  1200 . The female end  1112  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through the boot stabilizer block aperture  1202 . The male end  1114  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through a boot aperture  1212 . The male end  1114  of the Chicago screw  1110  is securely inserted into the female end  1112  of the Chicago screw to secure the boot stabilizer block  1200  to the boot  1210 . Preferably, the boot stabilizer block  1200  attaches to the boot  1210  at least at two points. It would be obvious to a person of skill in the art that more than two points of attachment are possible providing more secure attachment of the boot stabilizer block  1200 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3B , the boot stabilizer block  1200  is attached to a leg strap  1230  having a buckle  1232  for adjustable attachment of the leg strap  1230  to a leg of a rider shown in exploded view. The leg strap  1230  is adjustable where a buckle prong  1234  is insertable into any leg strap aperture  1240 . The boot stabilizer block  1200  is attached to the leg strap  1230  by means of the Chicago screw  1110 . The female end  1112  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through the boot stabilizer block aperture  1202 . The male end  1114  of the Chicago screw  1110  is inserted through the leg strap aperture  1240 , securing the boot stabilizer block  1200  to the leg strap  1230 . The leg strap  1230  can then be securely attached to the leg of a rider. Preferably, the boot stabilizer block  1200  attaches to the leg strap  1230  at least at two points. It would be obvious to a person of skill in the art that more than two points of attachment are possible. 
         [0032]    The invention also provides for alternative ways to secure the boot stabilizer block  1200  to a rider. Referring to  FIG. 3C , a side elevation view of the boot stabilizer block  1200  is shown where the boot stabilizer block  1200  is attached to a clip  1250  which engages the boot  1210  of a rider.  FIG. 3D  is a side elevation view of the boot stabilizer block  1200  having an overhang  1260  which enables sliding engagement with the boot  1210  of a rider. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a cross section of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  attached to the saddle  100  is shown in front elevation view. The saddle stabilizer block  1100  is engaged with the boot stabilizer block  1200  which is itself attached to the boot  1210  of a rider, a portion of whose leg  1300  is visible. The boot stabilizer block  1200  is directly attached to the boot  1210 . The visible parts of the saddle  100  are the lower saddle flap  116 , the girth billet  118 , and a thin, flexible outer saddle flap  1310  facilitating engagement of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  with the boot stabilizer block  1200 . When the rider is mounted in the saddle  100 , the saddle stabilizer block  1100  engages the boot stabilizer block  1200  such that movement of the rider out of the saddle is restricted. This is of great benefit to both the rider and the horse. In the case of the rider, restricted upward movement results in maintenance of physical communication with the horse, ultimately resulting in the horse being more responsive to the rider. With respect to the horse, the restricted movement of the rider minimizes the force exerted on the back of the horse due to impact of the rider, for example upon completion of a jump. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an alternative saddle stabilizer block  1400  is shown in perspective view that is substantially C-shaped in cross-section. An alternative boot stabilizer block  1410  has a substantially cylindrical component to enable engagement of the alternative boot stabilizer block  1410  with the alternative saddle stabilizer block  1400 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative saddle stabilizer block  1500  is shown in side elevation view that has an indentation  1510  along the length of one side of the alternative saddle stabilizer block  1500  to accommodate an alternative boot stabilizer block  1550  that is substantially V-shaped. A terminal end  1560  of the V-shaped boot stabilizer block  1550  is complementary in shape to the indentation  1510  of the saddle stabilizer block. The alternative saddle stabilizer block  1500  can be attached to the saddle  100  via the girth billets  118  and the alternative boot stabilizer block  1550  can be attached to the boot  1200  or lower leg  1210  of a rider as described previously. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a widened girth billet  1600  attached to the girth billet  118  is shown in side elevation view. The widened girth billet  1600  has multiple apertures  1610  across the width  1620  of the widened girth billet  1600  to enable secure attachment of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  at multiple points on the widened girth billet  1620  by means of Chicago screws  1110 . It would understood by a person of skill in the art that such multipoint attachment of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  to the widened girth billet  1600  provides more secure attachment of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  to the saddle  100  than is provided by standard girth billets  118 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the saddle stabilizer block  1100  is shown in perspective view attached to a pair of straps  1700  by means of Chicago screws  1110 . The pair of straps  1700  is attached to the saddle  100  externally. By externally is meant that the pair of straps  1700  sit on top of the saddle  100 . Multiple apertures  1710  along the length of the pair of straps  1700  enable adjustable attachment of the saddle stabilizer block  1100 . The pair of straps  1700  having an attached saddle stabilizer block  1100  can be placed over the top of a saddle  100  and secured to the saddle  100  by means of Chicago screws  1110  that attach the pair of straps  1700  to the girth billets  118 . The external version of the saddle stabilizer block  1100  has the advantage that it can be used with any saddle where the rider requires more security in the saddle  100  and more restricted movement when riding. In addition, as the saddle stabilizer block  1100  sits outside of the outer saddle flap  112 , the saddle stabilizer block  1100  can more stably engage the boot stabilizer block  1200  providing the rider with more security in the saddle  100  when riding. 
         [0038]    While Chicago screws  1110  have been described for the current invention, it would be understood by a person of skill in the art that other fasteners could be substituted to achieve the same function in any case where a Chicago screw  1110  is used. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment is shown. Saddle stabilizer block  1800  is attached to girth plate  1810 . Girth plate  1810  is attachable to girth billets  118 . In this embodiment saddle stabilizer block  1800  is rounded for comfort. The girth plate  1810  is preferably made of plastic and contains a plurality of attachment points  1820 . Advantageously, this embodiment allows the saddle stabilizer block  1800  to be attached at multiple positions on the saddle by attachment to different attachment points  1820 . There are numerous manners in which the saddle stabilizer block  1800  can be attached to the girth plate  1810  which are known to a person skilled in the art. For example, each of the attachment points  1820  can be a bore to receive a Chicago screw. Alternatively, the attachment points  1820  can be male/female fitted to a corresponding attachment point on the saddle stabilizer block  1800 . This embodiment also permits the easy attachment of multiple saddle stabilizer blocks  1800 . 
         [0040]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.