Abstract:
An improved saddle pad placed between the saddle and a horse that facilitates unrestricted movement of the horse&#39;s forelimbs when the horse is in motion. The improved pad has an underside that demonstrates elevated aspects or voids that correspond to and overlay the horse&#39;s shoulder blade area. According to a preferred embodiment, the improved saddle pad has a further elevated aspect running from front to back down the center of said pad that overlays and relieves pressure to the horse&#39;s spine. The improved saddle pad may be comprised of a top and bottom layer with the elevated aspects comprising cutouts and channels formed in the bottom layer. The top layer of the saddle pad is fabricated from a breathable fabric such as felt, and the bottom layer, which may be lined on its underside with breathable fabric for comfort to the horse, is fabricated from a shock absorbent material. The improved saddle pad cushions the weight and pressure of the saddle and rider on the horse&#39;s back while at the same time facilitating the unrestricted full range of motion of the horse&#39;s forelimbs, shoulder blades and related musculature when the horse is in motion as if the horse where unsaddled or being ridden bareback.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention describes a novel saddle pad. More specifically, the invention describes a saddle pad specially configured to allow a horse under saddle increased range of motion of the shoulders and forelimbs and to relieve restriction and pressure to the horse&#39;s shoulders while in motion. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The natural movement of the unsaddled horse is that the horse&#39;s shoulder blade and elbow freely rotate in connection with the horse&#39;s strides. The physiology of the horse is such that the underside of the shoulder blade or scapula is attached to the humerus which is attached to the radius. The ulna or elbow is fused to the proximal end of the radius, while the distal end of the radius is part of the knee joint. In forward motion, the horse&#39;s knee and lower forelimb move forward, the ulna rotates down, and the scapula rotates back and down. When the unsaddled horse is in motion, the concussive force of the horse&#39;s front hooves striking the ground is distributed and absorbed along the length of the forelimbs and the corresponding skeletal and muscular structure, including the scapula and the attached musculature. 
         [0003]    A problem arises, however, when a horse is placed under load and the natural fluid motion of the horse&#39;s forelimbs is restricted. The general practice is to place a saddle on top of a blanket or other saddle pad which has been laid across a horse&#39;s back. The saddle is then cinched down tight through the horse&#39;s girth area. The positioning and pressure of the saddle with conventional saddle pad limits the range of motion of the horse&#39;s forelimbs, and the horse can no longer move with a natural and comfortable stride. 
         [0004]    Horses under saddle tend to stumble, take shorter strides, and loose fluidity of forward motion compared to the unsaddled horse. The restriction placed on the movement of the horse&#39;s shoulder by the saddle and pad can result in front leg injury and lameness. Such injury is believed to be caused by the unnatural distribution of the jarring force of the horse&#39;s front hoof striking the ground, which becomes focused on the lower portion of the horse&#39;s forelimbs due to the restrictive nature of the traditional saddle and saddle pad on the forelimbs&#39; range of motion. 
         [0005]    Prior saddle pad improvements have attempted to address the pressure from the weight of the saddle and rider by adding cushioning to the saddle pad at the horse&#39;s pressure points, such as over the spine and withers, in an effort to dissipate the pressure on these points. Currently available saddle pads are not designed to and do not address the problem of the saddle and pad restricting the range of motion of the shoulder blade and related musculature when the horse under saddle walks, canters and gallops. 
         [0006]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a saddle pad which cushions and distributes the weight and pressure of the saddle and rider while at the same time facilitating the unrestricted range of motion of the shoulder blade and related horse musculature when the horse is in motion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    These and other problems are solved by the subject invention. A unique saddle pad distributes the weight of the rider and saddle over the back of a horse or other animal under saddle. Rather than adding material to the saddle pad to cushion, the present invention removes material from the saddle pad leaving cutouts, voids, raised or elevated aspects, cavities and/or recessed areas within the saddle pad. This novel pad design serves to free up the horse&#39;s shoulder joint under saddle enabling the animal&#39;s foreleg to move through its full range of motion while also reducing pressure caused by the saddle at certain points on the horse&#39;s back, shoulders, and spinal area. The free, unrestricted movement of the horse&#39;s shoulders and forelimbs increases the comfort of a horse under saddle and preserves the normal shock absorbing characteristics of the horse&#39;s physiology by allowing shocks originating at the hooves to be distributed along the full length of the forelimbs and absorbed more safely and efficiently by the horse&#39;s body mass, resulting in fewer injuries to and increased performance and endurance of the horse. 
         [0008]    The saddle pad can be constructed of one or more layers. Voids or cutouts are formed in the underside of the saddle pad, being the side that contacts the horse&#39;s back, of an appropriate depth to accommodate the horse&#39;s shoulders. The voids or cutouts are positioned over the horse&#39;s shoulder area such that the horse&#39;s shoulders can comfortably extend into the cavity created by the voids. The depth of the voids or cutouts is less than or equal to the thickness of the saddle pad. Otherwise stated, the cutouts may go partially or completely through the saddle pad. 
         [0009]    In a preferred embodiment, the saddle pad is made of two layers: a top layer that contacts the horse&#39;s saddle and a bottom layer that contacts the horse. 
         [0010]    The top layer is of substantially the same shape and size as traditional saddle pads. In a Western saddle embodiment, that shape is rectangular. In an English saddle embodiment, the rearward aspect of the pad is narrow relative to the forward aspect. In a preferred embodiment, the upper layer may be comprised of a breathable fabric material such as felt. 
         [0011]    The bottom layer is of substantially the same overall dimension as the top layer and may be made of a shock absorbing material such as rubber. According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom layer is comprised of two separate pieces, a left and right side, the left side being the mirror image of the right side. When the pad is placed on the horse, the left side of the bottom layer drapes over the left side of the horse and the right side of the bottom layer drapes over the right side of the horse. 
         [0012]    The left and right side bottom layer pieces are separated a certain distance one from the other and are positioned to leave an elongated narrow channel that corresponds to and runs the length of the horse&#39;s spinal column. The relative positioning of the left and right side bottom layer pieces one to the other and to the top layer is fixed by adhering the left and right side bottom layer pieces to the top layer. 
         [0013]    A liner such as felt or other fabric may be adhered to the bottom side of the inner layer to provide comfort to the horse by dissipating heat and wicking moisture away from the horse&#39;s body. The liner is molded and conforms to the recesses or voids in the bottom layer of the pad created by the shoulder blade cut-outs and by the separation or channel left between the left and right bottom side pieces. 
         [0014]    The top layer, bottom layer, and liner, if any, are bonded together to provide durability, longevity, and ease of use. In a preferred embodiment the layers and liner are both glued and stitched together. 
         [0015]    By this construction, the saddle pad and saddle sits on the horse&#39;s back without pressing down upon the spine and shoulder blade areas. The weight of the saddle and rider above the spinal column and shoulder blades is distributed by the improved saddle pad to other aspects of the horse&#39;s back. This relieves pressure to the horse&#39;s spine, and the saddle and pad do not press on or restrict the horse&#39;s shoulder area at the position of the cutouts, allowing the horse&#39;s shoulders to rotate in an unrestricted and unobstructed fashion when the horse is in motion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a right side view of a horse under saddle with saddle pad, illustrating the shoulder cutout of the improved saddle pad of the subject invention relative to the horse&#39;s shoulder blade area. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of a Western saddle embodiment of the improved saddle pad of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of an English saddle embodiment of the improved saddle pad of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a front view section taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2A  depicting the layered design of the improved saddle pad at the position of the cutouts. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, isometric view of the saddle pad of the present invention in draped position, as if on the back of a horse. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 5A through 5C  illustrate the horse&#39;s musculoskeletal structure, including the scapula, ulna, and radius of the forelimb and the positioning of the bones of the forelimb throughout the forelimb&#39;s range of motion. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates the musculature of a horse&#39;s forelimb in relation to the improved saddle pad of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a saddle pad  20  of the present invention in use, placed between a saddle  30  and a horse&#39;s back  12 . A right side shoulder cutouts  22 R formed in saddle pad  20  and lying beneath saddle  30 , is depicted with broken lines in  FIG. 1 . Cutout  22 R is of an appropriate depth to accommodate a horse&#39;s shoulder area  14 . Cutouts  22  are positioned over shoulder area  14  such that the horse&#39;s shoulders can protrude into the cavity created by cutouts  22  and avoid contacting or being restricted by saddle  30  or pad  20 . 
         [0024]    The depth of cutouts  22  is less than or equal to the thickness of saddle pad  20 . Otherwise stated, cutouts  22  may go partially or completely through saddle pad  20 . Alternately, the void created by cutouts  22  may leave a certain thickness on the topside of pad  20  remaining at the cutout area, forming a cavity or recessed area on the underside of pad  20  that corresponds to and overlays shoulder area  14 . 
         [0025]    Cutouts  22  in pad  20  are of a certain size and depth to accommodate the horse&#39;s natural range of motion by allowing free movement of the horse&#39;s forelimbs and the bones and musculature in the horse&#39;s shoulder region  14 . The cavity created within pad  20  by cutouts  22  reduces or eliminates the weight and restriction on horse&#39;s shoulder areas  14  caused by the downward pressure of saddle  30  placed on horse&#39;s back  12 . 
         [0026]    According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , right side cutout  22 R is generally U-shaped, with the base of the U extending inward from the cranial edge  42  of pad  20  such that the concave area of cutout  22 R extends around the caudal aspect of shoulder area  14  to accommodate the protrusion on the horse&#39;s back created by the scapula and surrounding musculature. Only the right side of the horse and pad  20  is visible in  FIG. 1 , but pad  20  is symmetrical, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with the left side of pad  20  being the mirror image of the right side of pad  20 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show pad  20  shaped for a Western style saddle and a pad  20  shaped for an English style saddle, both laid flat, as on a table, viewed from above. Pad  20  is of a size and shape to extend over and beyond the area of interface of a load positioned on an animal&#39;s back. In a Western saddle embodiment ( FIG. 2A ), pad  20  demonstrates a generally rectangular shape. In an English saddle embodiment ( FIG. 2B ), the pad demonstrates an irregular shape, wherein the pad&#39;s caudal aspect is narrow relative to its cranial aspect. Pad  20  has a cranial edge  42 , being the edge that extends closest to the horse&#39;s head, a caudal edge  44 , being the edge that extends closest to the horse&#39;s tail, and two ventral edges, a right ventral edge  46 R and left ventral edge  46 L, being the edges that extend closest to the horse&#39;s belly when pad  20  is overlaid on the horse. 
         [0028]    According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2A , constructed to accommodate a Western style saddle, the rectangular shape of pad  20  is completely circumscribed by cranial edge  42 , caudal edge  44 , and right and left ventral edges  46 R and  46 L. Perpendicular to cranial edge  42  and caudal edge  44 , and bisecting pad  20  is a dorsal axis  50 . Dorsal axis  50  runs parallel to right and left ventral edges  46 R and  46 L and overlays the horse&#39;s spine when pad  20  is in use. 
         [0029]    Pad  20  is symmetrical along the dorsal axis  50 , the right side being a mirror image of the left side. Illustrated by the broken lines in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are left and right side cutouts  22 L and  22 R formed within the underside of saddle pads  20  and  20 ′. Left and ride side cutouts  22 R and  22 L are of identical in shape and size. Each demonstrates a semi-circular or U-shaped (with the U representing the void) form, with the base of the U extending inward from the pad&#39;s cranial edge  42  toward the pad&#39;s caudal edge  44  for a certain distance. Cutouts  22  are of suitable shape, dimension and position so as to overlay and encompass the entire shoulder area  14  of a horse and are positioned around the scapula and corresponding musculature of the horse&#39;s front legs. 
         [0030]    Additional voids or cutouts may be made in pad  20  to accommodate other pressure points along the horse&#39;s back to address the downward pressure of the saddle and rider on the horse. According to a preferred embodiment, a further void in the shape of an elongated central channel  26  along dorsal axis  50  is formed in pad  20  to run atop and along the horse&#39;s spine and to reduce or relieve pressure on the spinal area. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates the layered composition of a preferred embodiment of saddle pad  20  in cross-section.  FIG. 3  is a cross section of saddle pad  20  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2A , through cutouts  22 R and  22 L and central channel  26 , looking toward the rear of the horse. 
         [0032]    Pad  20  of the present invention may be comprised of one or several layers. Referring to the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , pad  20  comprises a top layer  100  that contacts the horse&#39;s saddle and a bottom layer  200 , adhered to top layer  100 , which contacts the horse. A liner  300  may, optionally, be adhered to the bottom side of bottom layer  200  to provide comfort to the horse by dissipating heat and wicking moisture away from the horse&#39;s body. Liner  300  preferably is molded and conforms to the recesses or voids in bottom layer  200  created by the cut-outs formed in or separation left between the left and right bottom side pieces. 
         [0033]    The depth of the cutouts  22  may be equal to or less than the thickness of the pad  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the thickness of saddle pads  20  is greater than the depth of cutouts  22 , resulting in cutouts  22  that form a cavity or raised area on the underside of pad  20  but that do not go all the way through pad  20 . This can be accomplished, as shown in  FIG. 3 , by having top layer  100  being continuous without cutouts, adhered to bottom layer  200  demonstrating cutouts  22  and  26  that extend clear through bottom layer  200 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded view of the preferred embodiment wherein pad  20  is comprised of a top layer  100  and a bottom layer  200 . As shown, bottom layer  200  is comprised of two separate pieces, a left side piece  200 L and right side piece  200 R, left side  200 L and right side  200 R being mirror images of one another. When pad  20  is placed on the horse, left side piece  200 L of bottom layer  200  drapes over the left side of the horse&#39;s back  12  while right side piece  200 R of bottom layer  200  drapes over the right side of back  12 . In the Western saddle embodiment shown, each bottom layer side piece  200 R and  200 L are generally rectangular in shape and of a certain thickness, with cranial edge  42 , caudal edge  44 , ventral edge  46 , and dorsal edge  48 . In the English saddle embodiment, each bottom layer side piece  200 R and  200 L would demonstrate the irregular shape depicted in  FIG. 2B  with ventral edges  46 R and  46 L tapering rearward. 
         [0035]    The relative positioning of the left and right side bottom layer pieces  200 R and  200 L is fixed by adhering each piece to top layer  100 . Left and right side bottom layer pieces  200 R and  200 L, are adhered to top layer  100  in a parallel fashion, separated a certain distance one from the other to leave elongated narrow channel  26  that corresponds to and runs the length of the horse&#39;s spinal column along dorsal axis  50 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , top layer  100  may be constructed of suitable hard-wearing fabric such as a high-quality felt, while bottom layer  200  may be constructed of suitable shock-absorbing material such as rubber. Bottom layer  200  may itself be comprised of one or more layers of shock-absorbing material. Lining  300 , constructed of felt or other soft, breathable, or moisture-wicking material, may be adhered to the underside of bottom layer  200  to lie between the bottom layer and the horse&#39;s back when pad  20  is placing over horse&#39;s back  12 . 
         [0037]    Top layer  100  may be any thickness, but is typically ½ inches thick or between ¼ inches and ¾ inches in thickness. Bottom layer  200  may be any thickness, but is typically ¾ inches thick or between ½ inches and 1 inch in thickness. Liner  300  may be any thickness, but is typically ¼ inches thick or between 1/16 inches and ½ inches in thickness and typically thin relative to bottom layer  200 . 
         [0038]    The top layer  100 , bottom layer  200 , and lining  300  are adhered, one to the other, using suitable fastening means. The layers may be sewn together around their peripheral edges only, or both around their peripheral edges and internally. The layers may also be adhered together using glue or other adhesive means. In a preferred embodiment, the layers are both stitched and glued together for durability. 
         [0039]    Layers  100  and  200 , and lining  300  of saddle pad  20  have substantially matching peripheral edges. In a preferred embodiment, the layer  100  may extend beyond the periphery of bottom layer  200  so as to form a lip  110  (visible in  FIG. 3 ) around the periphery of the underside of saddle pad  20 . By using a high quality felt lining  300  molded to the underside of pad  20 , breathability and moisture flow is permitted, so that less heat and moisture will build up beneath pad  20  while pad  20  in use on the horse. 
         [0040]    As most clearly appreciated by considering  FIGS. 3 and 4 , right and left side cutouts  22 R and  22 L are formed along the cranial edge  42  of left and right side bottom layer pieces  200 L and  200 R, and extend completely through the thickness of the bottom layer  200 . Central channel  26  is formed by the absence of bottom layer  200  material along dorsal axis  50  of saddle pad assembly  20 . Dorsal axis  50  is positioned above and along the horse&#39;s spine when saddle pad  20  is placed upon the horse. At the position of cutouts  22  and central channel  26 , portions of liner  300 , as delineated by the dashed line on liner  300  in  FIG. 4 , are adhered directly to top layer  100  such that lining  300  is molded and conforms to the recesses or voids created by the absence of material in bottom layer  200 . 
         [0041]    Shoulder cutouts  22  are therefore ideally positioned to free the range of motion of the horse&#39;s forelimbs, allowing the full length of the forelimb and corresponding musculature to absorb shocks originating from the contact of the horse&#39;s forelimb with the ground. The clearance between the space occupied by the horse&#39;s shoulder and the edge of the voids created by cutouts  22  provide a free path for the shoulder&#39;s movement. Shock absorbing bottom layer  200  dissipates and reduces pressure on the horse&#39;s back while under saddle. Lining  300  readily conforms to the contours of the horse&#39;s back while keeping the horse cool. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate skeletal views of a horse in motion from the horse&#39;s right side.  FIG. 6  shows the musculature of the horse&#39;s forelimb, also from the right side. 
         [0043]    The bones of a horse&#39;s right forelimb  400  include a scapula  410 , a humerus  420 , an ulna  430 , a radius  440  and a knee  450 . Forelimb  400 &#39;s musculature includes a deltoid muscle  500 , a biceps muscle  502 , and a triceps muscle  504 . Right shoulder cutout  22 R of saddle pad assembly  20  is shown positioned around scapula  410  in  FIG. 5  and around the corresponding musculature shown in  FIG. 6 , so as to accommodate the full range of motion of scapula  410  from the position where the forelimb is in a forward position (shown in  FIG. 5A ), a standing or neutral position (shown in  FIG. 5B ), or a rearward position (shown in  FIG. 5C ). The horse&#39;s deltoids  500 , biceps  502  and triceps  504  (seen in  FIG. 6 ) are similarly accommodated by the size and positioning of cutouts  22 , allowing the horse under saddle full range of motion of its forelimbs throughout the full range of gaits. 
         [0044]    The dimensions of pad  20  are selected based on the dimensions of the saddle so as to ensure that pad  20  will overlay and extend beyond the regions of the horse&#39;s back normally subject to contact and pressure from a saddle. The size and dimensions of cutouts  22  are selected such that the horse&#39;s shoulder blade region  14  will not be contacted or restricted by the saddle or by pad  20 . The size and location of cutouts  22  within pad  20  may vary to allow full range of motion of the horse&#39;s joints and corresponding musculature. The degree of protrusion of a horse&#39;s shoulder blade is also considered. Additional cutouts may be formed to correspond to pressure points amenable to the downward force of a saddle, such as along the spine, above the withers, or at other positions on the horse&#39;s back. In the preferred embodiments illustrated here, the cutout areas are located above the horse&#39;s shoulder area and above the horse&#39;s spine. 
       SUMMARY AND SCOPE 
       [0045]    As will be appreciated from the above description, a defining feature of the present invention is the particularly positioned recesses, voids, cutouts, or raised aspects in the saddle pad positioned above and around the shoulder area of the horse to facilitate freedom of motion of the horse&#39;s shoulders by relieving restriction or pressure to the shoulder area caused by the constraints of the saddle and pad. The saddle pad lifts and supports the saddle and rider, but does not press upon or restrict movement of the horse&#39;s shoulder blade or surrounding musculature, allowing maximum range of mechanical movement of the horse&#39;s forelimbs, and permitting the saddled horse to take natural strides as if not under saddle or being ridden bareback. 
         [0046]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, structures and configurations, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. 
         [0047]    Cutouts  22  of the present invention are semi-circular or U-shaped and extend inward from the cranial edge of the saddle pad. Other embodiments, without limitation, may instead incorporate V-shaped, O-shaped, or irregularly shaped cutouts that may or may not extend to the cranial edge of the saddle pad. 
         [0048]    Similarly, the shape and dimensions of the saddle pad may be varied to correspond to areas covered by different types or styles of saddles. The saddle pad of the instant invention may also be used on equines other than horses or on other load bearing or saddle animals, such as pachyderms or ungulates. 
         [0049]    Also by way of example and not limitation, the improved saddle pad of the present invention may be constructed of one, two, three, or more than three layers; fabrics other than felt and shock absorbing materials other than rubber may be employed in these layers; and layer thicknesses other than those described above may be utilized, all without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the instant invention. Wear pieces may be adhered to the top of the improved saddle pad to slow wear caused by the topside of the pad rubbing against the underside or skirts of the saddle. Similarly other structures and techniques known to those conversant in the prior art as employed with saddles and saddle pads may be employed with the improved saddle pad described above, to the extent not incompatible with or detracting from the utility of said pad, while still remaining within the purpose and scope of the present invention. 
         [0050]    Accordingly, while the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are presently considered to be preferred, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than with reference to any particular example, embodiment or illustration.