Abstract:
A horse halter apparatus includes top nose portion with a curved rigid nose bar, a separate left chin portion with a first rigid chin bar, and a separate right chin portion with a second rigid chin bar. Soft, pliable covers enclose each rigid bar and hide the bars from view while protecting the horse&#39;s face from scratches or marks. A user holding a leash may apply pressure, via the rigid bars, in three different directions: downward, left and right. Each of the nose portion and chin portions may be adjustable in length. The rigid bars may be removable from the covers. The rigid bars may come in different configurations with varying profiles such as circular or rectangular, and may be formed with protuberances directed towards the horse&#39;s face.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to training apparatuses for horses. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information 
         [0004]    One of the challenges in training horses is trying to get a horse to obey the leading of a person walking the horse. Such difficulty is compounded when the person is generally small and light. Conventional halters do not provide any practical usefulness in training as horses will simply snap their heads in response to any attempts to yank such halters. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides structures and methods which overcome the deficiencies in the prior art. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, a horse halter apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an upper noseband portion, a left chin portion and a right chin portion. The noseband portion includes a curved rigid bar and a generally flexible noseband cover. The left chin portion includes a first rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and a generally flexible left chin cover. The right chin portion includes a second rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and the first chin bar. 
         [0007]    The curved rigid bar is removable from the flexible noseband cover in one preferred embodiment. The first rigid chin bar is preferably from the left chin cover in one preferred embodiment. The second rigid chin bar is preferably removable from the right chin cover in one preferred embodiment. The curved rigid bar is preferably circular in cross-section. The first rigid chin bar is preferably circular in cross-section. The second rigid chin bar is preferably circular in cross-section. In another preferred embodiment, the curved rigid bar may be rectangular in cross-section while the first rigid chin bar and the second rigid chin bar may each be rectangular in cross-section. The left chin cover and the right chin cover may each be adjustable in length. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, the upper noseband portion comprises protrusions configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s nose. The first rigid chin bar may comprise a first protrusion configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s chin. The second rigid chin bar may comprise a second protrusion configured to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s chin. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a horse halter apparatus comprises an upper noseband portion including a curved rigid bar and a generally flexible noseband cover. The curved rigid bar is removable from the flexible noseband cover. A left chin portion includes a first rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and a generally flexible left chin cover. The first rigid chin bar is removable from the left chin cover. A right chin portion includes a second rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and the first chin bar. The second rigid chin bar is removable from the right chin cover. 
         [0010]    The curved rigid bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The first rigid chin bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The second rigid chin bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The left chin cover may be adjustable in length. The right chin cover may be adjustable in length. 
         [0011]    The upper noseband portion may comprise protrusions configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s nose. The first rigid chin bar may comprise a first chin protrusion configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s chin. The second rigid chin bar may comprise a second chin protrusion configured to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s chin. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect, a horse halter apparatus comprises an upper noseband portion including a curved rigid bar and a generally flexible noseband cover. A left chin portion includes a first rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and a generally flexible left chin cover. The left chin cover is adjustable in length. A right chin portion includes a second rigid chin bar that is separate from the curved rigid bar and the first chin bar. The right chin cover is adjustable in length. 
         [0013]    The curved rigid bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The first rigid chin bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The second rigid chin bar may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. The upper noseband portion may comprise protrusions configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s nose. The first rigid chin bar may comprise a first chin protrusion configured to apply pressure to a horse&#39;s chin. The second rigid chin bar may comprise a second chin protrusion configured to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s chin. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect, horse halter apparatus includes top nose portion with a curved rigid nose bar, a separate left chin portion with a first rigid chin bar, and a separate right chin portion with a second rigid chin bar. Soft, pliable covers enclose each rigid bar and hide the bars from view while protecting the horse&#39;s face from scratches or marks. A user holding a leash may apply pressure, via the rigid bars, in three different directions: downward, left and right. Each of the nose portion and chin portions may be adjustable in length. The rigid bars may be removable from the covers. The rigid bars may come in different configurations with varying profiles such as circular or rectangular, and may be formed with protuberances directed towards the horse&#39;s face. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect, a method is provided for training a horse. The method comprises pulling downward on a halter to cause a first upper rigid member to apply pressure to a nose of the horse, pulling the halter towards the horse&#39;s left side to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s right chin with a second separate rigid member, and pulling the halter towards the horse&#39;s right side to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s right chin with a third separate rigid member. 
         [0016]    The method further comprises enclosing each of the first, second and third rigid members with a soft material which does not scratch or mark the horse&#39;s face. The method further comprises removing each of the first, second and third rigid members from the corresponding soft material. The method further comprises enclosing the second rigid member with a first chin cover, adjusting a length of the first chin cover, enclosing the third rigid member with a third chin cover, and adjusting a length of the third chin cover. 
         [0017]    The invention, now having been briefly summarized, may be better appreciated by the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment on a horse halter apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the horse halter apparatus; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a preferred method of training a horse. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims. 
         [0026]    Throughout the specification, positional terms such as front, rear or back, left and right refer to the embodiments from the perspective of the horse. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view a first preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus  10  used on a horse  12 , particularly in connection with the horse&#39;s face  14 , including its nose  16  and chin  18 . The apparatus  10  is particularly configured for training the horse  12  by one who is dismounted and holding the apparatus  10  from underneath. 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus  10  comprises an upper noseband portion  20  including a curved rigid nose bar  22  housed within a generally soft, pliable nose cover  24 . The curvature of the upper nose bar  22  is shaped to conform to the top of the horse&#39;s nose  16 . A separate left chin portion  26  and a separate right chin portion  28  are coupled to each other and are disposed along the left and right chin portions of the horse, respectively. The left chin portion  26  includes a substantially straight rigid bar  31  enclosed within a soft, pliable cover  33 . The right chin portion  28  includes a substantially straight rigid bar  35  also enclosed within a soft pliable cover  37 . In the preferred embodiment, each rigid chin bar  31 ,  35  has a length in the preferred range of 3 to 8 inches. In the first preferred embodiment, each rigid chin bar  31 ,  35  is cylindrical and thus configured with a circular cross-sectional profile. 
         [0029]    As examples and not by way of limitation, each of the rigid bars  22 ,  31 ,  35  may be composed of metal, hard plastic, wood, glass, and other such generally rigid materials. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid bars  22 ,  31 ,  35  each comprise metal. The soft, pliable covers 
         [0030]    The noseband portion  20  is coupled to separate left chin portion  26  and right chin portion  28  with fasteners  39 . The left chin portion  26  is also coupled to the right chin portion  28  with a fastener. Accordingly, thus the three facial portions  20 ,  26 ,  28  are individually separate from each other, while being coupled to each other fasteners  39  so as to fit around a horse&#39;s face  14 . As will be described later, this enables the user to apply each portion  20 ,  26 ,  28  to the horse&#39;s face as desired. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 1 , the length of each facial portion  20 ,  26 ,  28  is preferably adjustable. In particular, each flexible outer cover  24 ,  33 ,  37  comprises straps  42  at opposite outer ends which can be coupled or looped through a buckle or clasp  44  so as to adjust the overall length of each facial portion  20 ,  26 ,  28 . A leash  46  may be coupled to the connector  39  between the two chin portions  26 ,  28 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , it will be appreciated that the halter apparatus  10  enables a person to separately apply three different pressure points to the horse&#39;s face  14 . In particular, a person may pull downwardly on the leash  46  to cause the rigid nose bar  22  to apply downward pressure on the horse&#39;s nose. One can also pull the leash  46  to the left of the horse  12  so as to cause the right chin bar  35  to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s right chin, or pull the leash  46  to the right of the horse  12  so as to cause the left chin bar  33  to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s left chin. 
         [0033]    By making each rigid bar  22 ,  31 ,  35  separate, the apparatus  10  facilitates the three directional ways of applying rigid pressure to the horse&#39;s face. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, the enclosing each rigid bar  22 ,  31 ,  35  in a separate flexible cover  24 ,  33 ,  37 , respectively, provides for adjustability in the overall size of the halter apparatus to accommodate each individual horses&#39; face. The flexible, soft material of each cover not only hides the rigid bars from view, but also protects the horse&#39;s face  14  by preventing any marks that might otherwise result from direct contact with rigid bars, such as metal, for example. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus  10   b  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “b.” In  FIG. 2 , each of the facial portions  20   b ,  26   b ,  28   b  may be configured with a fixed length. The halter apparatus  10   b  may be preconfigured at the manufacturing stage with a predetermined lengths for each of the facial portions  20   b ,  26   b ,  28   b  so as to form an assembled apparatus  10   b  of varying sizes, e.g., small, medium, large, etc. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus  10   c  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “c.” In  FIG. 4 , each facial portion  20   c ,  26   c ,  28   c  comprises a removable rigid bar  22   c ,  31   c ,  35   c , respectively. In particular, each outer cover  24   c ,  33   c ,  37   c  can be formed with an opening or slot for removing the rigid bar therein. Such a removable feature may be desired if, for example, rigid bars of differing sizes or configurations are desired to be used on a particular horse. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus  10   d  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “d.” In  FIG. 5 , the rigid nose bar  22   d  comprises a curved plate having a rectangular profile, or cross-section. Both rigid chin bars  31   d ,  35   d  also comprise plates. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fifth preferred embodiment of a horse halter apparatus  10   e  where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “e.” In  FIG. 6 , the rigid nose bar  22   e  comprises a series of protrusions  52  directed at the horse&#39;s nose. Both rigid chin bars  31   e ,  35   e  comprise a series of protrusions  54  directed at the horse&#39;s chin. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a preferred method  100  of training a horse. The method  100  comprises the step  110  of placing on a horse&#39;s head a halter apparatus with a rigid nose bar covered in a soft material above the horse&#39;s nose, a separate first rigid chin bar covered in a soft material adjacent to the horse&#39;s left chin, and a separate second rigid chin bar covered in a soft material adjacent to the horse&#39;s right chin. Step  120  comprises pulling down on a leash to apply downward pressure to the horse&#39;s nose with the rigid nose bar. Step  12   o  comprises applying pressure to the horse&#39;s nose without applying pressure to the horse&#39; chin. Step  130  comprises pulling the leash in a first substantially sideways direction to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s left chin with the first rigid chin bar. Step  130  comprises applying pressure to the horse&#39; left chin without applying pressure to any other portion of the horse&#39; face. Step  140  comprises pulling the leash in a second substantially sideways direction to apply pressure to the horse&#39;s right chin with the second rigid chin bar. Step  140  comprises applying pressure to the horse&#39; right chin without applying pressure to any other portion of the horse&#39; face. 
         [0040]    Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. 
         [0041]    The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species. 
         [0042]    The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination. 
         [0043]    Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. 
         [0044]    The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.