Abstract:
A hobby horse device wherein the diagonal movement and the vertical movement produced in the back of a horse as he trots and canters is simulated so that a rider can exercise and practice performing riding skills. The hobby horse includes a plurality of seat supports with handles. Straps are attached to the base of the seat supports which encompass a support dowel which lies adjacent to the seat supports. The support dowel is attached on both sides to a basic frame by a plurality of springs. The basic frame contains a form representing the horses girth and stirrups for the rider&#39;s feet. The extension of the springs and their subsequent return to their original shape provide the vertical movement as the rider presses down and rises with his/her seat. The diagonal movement is produced beneath the rider&#39;s seat when the rider raises and lowers each seat support independently of the other. The seat supports also allow for turning, half-halting and halting in response to the rider&#39;s body position and use of aids.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Provisional Patent Application No. 60/111,927; filing date Dec. 11, 1998 now abandoned. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This present invention relates to exercise and amusement devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a riding apparatus such as a hobby horse. 
     At the present time the general method for a person to learn and practice posting the trot and cantering, which are horseback riding techniques, is to ride a horse. However, individuals interested in learning to ride may not have a horse available with which to practice, and individuals who own a horse may not be able to practice because of bad weather, ailments sustained by their horse or any other number of reasons. Furthermore, beginning riders need many hours of practice to perfect their balanced position at the posting trot and canter so that they can ride with a safe and secure seat. The disadvantage of having only real horses available for the beginner is that because of the beginner&#39;s lack of skill, he or she is at a greater risk of falling off the horse and possibly sustaining injuries. 
     The present invention, however, fills a need for individuals who wish to practice their posting trot and cantering riding skills without having to ride a horse. The present invention can be used so that beginners can more quickly develop and strengthen the muscles used to ride a horse and improve their balance so that they may ride with a safer and securer seat. 
     Many different types of hobby horses have been developed over the years. The majority utilize an artificial horse body either suspended from a frame by four springs, or an artificial horse body having rockers or wheels attached at the base. The movement produced in the seat of the rider by these hobby horses is quite different from the movement produced by a real horse. Hobby horse devices are usually restricted to providing the rider with either a vertical movement, a longitudinal movement or a circular movement in that there is a combination of a vertical movement and a longitudinal movement in some devices. These hobby horse devices do not simulate the movement of a real horse when it trots or canters. It can be said that these types of prior art hobby horse devices are used as playing machines for children and have never functioned as such to providing real riding movements. 
     Other types of hobby horse devices specifically claim horse movement simulation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,444 to Armen discloses a device to teach handicapped children to perform stops, turns and to apply pressure as in posting. The device includes a saddle, pivoting head assembly, reins, bit simulator and pressure sensitive switches. This device however, provides no movement beneath the rider. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,738,671 to Czepiga discloses an equestrian toy for exercise, development of coordination and entertainment. The device is actuated by the rider through the agency of fore and aft members pivotally attached to a body member for galloping movements in either a forward or rearward direction. Movement is produced by the rider&#39;s forward and backward leaning which controls the position of the tiltable seat. This device is meant for a child&#39;s amusement. This device may provide a movement that simulates galloping but it does not provide movement that simulates trotting. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,075 to Eikelenboom discloses a device which includes the trunk, head and neck of a horse. A saddle for the rider and a chest widening means is also provided. The device provides for training and exercise with respect to the mechanical athletic side of horsemanship except for displacement and speed. This device however, provides only forward and backward movements which may relate to cantering or galloping. Additionally, the forward and backward movement is generated by a motor. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,300 to Yamaguchi discloses a device which includes an artificial horse body, with devices which allow it to move in vertical and longitudinal directions. This device enables the rider to give aids to the horse body so that the basic stepping actions of a real horse can be simulated. This device incorporates a barrel which represents the horse body. The horse body carries out rolling, pitching and yawing movements. Since the one piece seat support is restricted to moving as a unit the diagonal movement required for the simulation of a horse&#39;s trot is not provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,425 to Collins discloses a device which simulates the natural cantering movement of a polo pony operated by an electric motor. This device also allows for alteration of the longitudinal/vertical action of the drive means so that the body portion may simulate a different type of horse movement. This device simulates the cantering movement but does not simulate the trotting movement of a horse. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,515 to Greenwood discloses a device with a neck portion pivotally mounted to a body portion which simulates horse movements and has powered means. This device more specifically provides an orbital motion of the body portion at its rear end. Additionally, the front part of the body portion tends to swing which more closely simulates a diagonal movement produced in the front portion of a horse&#39;s back while galloping. This device simulates galloping and/or cantering but does not simulate the trotting movement. 
     These exercise and/or amusement devices provide an artificial horse body and/or a saddle for the rider support. The one piece seat support is limited to providing vertical, longitudinal or circular movements into the seat of the rider. 
     As can be evidenced by a review of the prior art of claimed riding simulators, they provide the rider with vertical, longitudinal and circular movements transmitted from the horse&#39;s back into the seat of the rider. These devices do not provide the diagonal movement required for the trot. The vertical and longitudinal movements may to some extent simulate the canter and gallop. Also, when a stationary riding device provides a rider with longitudinal movements, a backward movement occurs which is unnatural. The longitudinal movement is not a requirement for simulating the posting trot and canter motion. The same movements produced in the back of a horse as he trots and canters would be produced even if the horse were trotting or cantering in place. 
     On the other hand, the diagonal movement is crucial to a realistic simulation of a horse&#39;s trot and canter. As a horse trots, his back rises and falls across the diagonals running between his shoulders and hips. When a horse canters, his back creates a seesawing movement from the shoulder to the hips, but at the same time a diagonal rise will be felt when the non-leading front leg and opposite back leg land on the ground at the same time. For a realistic simulation of the trot and canter, a rider needs to be provided with the diagonal and vertical movements produced in the horse&#39;s back when he trots or canters. A solid one piece structure representing the seat support in a riding device cannot provide the alternating diagonal movement required for simulation of a horse&#39;s trot. A solid one piece seat support is restricted to moving as one unit. 
     Except Czepigats device, none of the other stationary devices which provide movement beneath the rider are self operable by the rider. The rider must rely on movements generated by a motor. The rider does not have complete control over the speed of the movements produced beneath his/her seat. 
     In the prior art, halting and half-halting aids applied by the seat and thighs of the rider are not responded to by the seat support of the device. Rather the prior devices respond to halting and half-halting aids applied through the reins. Relying upon rein aids to halt and half-halt during practice sessions only reinforces their use when riding real horses. Riders need to practice halting and half-halting with their seat aids in order to develop an effective seat. 
     Except Czepiga&#39;s device, the prior art devices do not permit turns to the right or left. Riders need to practice keeping their heels down, their hands together and their seat in balance when performing turns. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, when actuated by the rider, provides the rider with the vertical and diagonal movements transmitted from the horse&#39;s back into the rider&#39;s seat during the trot and canter. The present invention permits beginners and experienced riders to practice maintaining a balanced position while they practice applying riding aids for the purpose of improving their balanced position and strengthening their riding muscles as they post the trot or canter. 
     The present invention utilizes a plurality of seat supports in place of the traditional artificial horse body. The present invention includes a seat support consisting of a right side support and a left side support which represent the surface of the horse&#39;s back. The right side seat support represents the horse&#39;s back from the right shoulder to the right hip and the left side seat support represents the horse&#39;s back from the left shoulder to the left hip. The seat supports are equipped with handles for operation of the device by the rider. The seat supports have a means for containing a support dowel adjacent to said seat supports. More specifically, the seat supports rest upon a support dowel which is contained by a plurality of straps attached to the base of the seat supports. Springs are attached to both ends of the support dowel by a means for holding the ends of said springs securely to the support dowel. The opposite open end of said springs are then attached to a basic frame by a means for holding the ends of said springs securely to the basic frame. Therefore the seat supports and support dowel are suspended from the basic frame. A form representative of the horse&#39;s girth exists within the basic frame and provides resistance to pressure of the rider&#39;s legs hanging down at both sides. The device is also equipped with a means for providing foot support such as stirrups or a stirrup bar. 
     When the rider is mounted on the device, the rider alternately raises and lowers (in certain sequences for trot or canter) each seat support with the handles attached to said seat supports. The resulting movement created beneath the rider&#39;s seat is the alternate diagonal movement of the horse&#39;s back during the trot or canter. Additionally, when the rider presses down with his/her seat onto the seat supports and rises off the seat supports in a rhythm (i.e. posts the trot) a vertical displacement is provided by the distortion and subsequent recovery of the springs&#39; original shape which suspend the support dowel and seat supports from the basic frame. 
     The advantages of the present invention are that the seat supports permit the simulation of the alternate diagonal movement in addition to the vertical movements produced in the horse&#39;s back when the horse trots or canters and therefore the present invention provides a more realistic training device for horseback riders with which to practice their riding skills. 
     Another advantage of the seat supports is that the rider can also give half-halting and halting aids to the device which causes the seat supports to resist movement or stop moving. 
     Another advantage of the seat supports are that they allow the rider to turn right or left within the boundary of the stationary frame while practicing applying turning aids as the rider posts the trot or canters. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the alternate diagonal movement is produced and controlled by the rider manipulating the seat supports by the use of the handles located at the front of the seat supports. Since the rider operates the device by manipulating the seat supports, the rider is in complete control of the trotting and cantering speeds desired. 
     Another advantage in connection with the handles is that they position the rider&#39;s hands in the correct “thumbs up” position and the correct distance apart from each other. The rider is able to monitor the “quietness” of his/her hands by feeling whether he/she is pushing or pulling against the handles as he/she raises and lowers them. 
     To overcome the shortcomings of the existing methods, the first objective of the present invention is to produce a realistic posting trot and canter movement simulator which provides the diagonal movements and vertical movements felt in a rider&#39;s seat when a horse trots or canters. 
     It is a further objective to provide a seat that would react to the riding aids given for half-halting and halting. 
     Another objective is to provide a seat that permits the rider to perform turns to the right or left, to ride facing straight ahead and also be able to ride with a “bend” while applying the aids as the rider posts the trot and canters. 
     A further objective is to keep the device self-operable, by the rider using the handles located at the front of each piece of the seat supports. The handles would be placed in such a way that they would position the rider&#39;s hands similarly to the way a rider would hold the reins when riding a horse. 
     A further objective of the present invention is to provide an exercise device which may be ridden by a child or an adult. 
     Another objective is to provide the device with features similar to real horseback riding which would include stirrups for the rider&#39;s feet and a horse&#39;s girth area against which the rider&#39;s calves press. 
     It is a further objective to make this mechanical device easy to build, constructed from common building materials, durable, and inexpensive. 
     The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumerated above are accomplished by the present invention. The present hobby horse device includes a plurality of base boards, which base boards include a plurality of support posts extending upwardly at an angle from the base boards and a plurality of support beams extending horizontally between the base boards and between the support posts, which support beams contain a form comprising the horses girth, and stirrups, or in the alternative a stirrup bar which is suspended between the front support posts, a plurality of seat supports including handles attached at the front of each seat support, which seat supports have a plurality of straps attached to the bottom of each seat support, which straps encompass a support dowel which lies adjacent to and supports the seat supports, and said support dowel has a plurality of eye screws installed in both ends of said support dowel, and said eye screws hold the ends of a plurality of springs, and said springs&#39; opposite open ends are attached to a plurality of hook screws installed into said support posts. Therefore, the seat supports and support dowel are suspended from the support posts. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the hobby horse device showing the device at rest. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the hobby horse device showing the device at rest. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the four straps which encompass the support dowel. 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the hobby horse device showing an alternate stirrup bar. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the method of attaching the support dowel to the basic frame using eye screws, springs, and hook screws. 
     FIG. 6 is a front view showing the hobby horse device with the seat supports in an alternate rest position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the hobby horse device with rider mounted showing the range of motion and positioning of the seat supports required to perform the posting trot. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the hobby horse device showing the range of motion and positioning of the seat supports required to perform the canter. 
     FIG. 9 is a top view of the hobby horse device showing the range of motion of the seat supports which turn left or right. 
     FIG. 9A is a view from underneath showing the positioning of the straps when the seat supports are turned to the right. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawing shown in FIG. 1 numerals  12 ,  13 ,  14  and  15  comprise a plurality of support posts of the device which two pairs of support posts  12  &amp;  13  and  14  &amp;  15  are lap jointed at the top and both pairs of support posts  12  &amp;  13  and  14  &amp;  15  open at an angle of about 30 to 35 degrees. A support beam  16  is contoured to fit between each pair of support posts  12  &amp;  13  and  14  &amp;  15  near to their respective points of intersection, by having a wedge removed at each end so that support posts  13  and  14  lie flat against support beam  16 . Support beam  16  is then attached to all support posts  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . The base of both pairs of support posts  12  &amp;  13  and  14  &amp;  15  are then attached to a plurality of base boards  18  and  19  respectively. A support beam  17  is then attached to base boards  18  and  19  near the midpoints of the length of both base boards  18  and  19 . Parts  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  19  are made from material selected from the group consisting of wood. 
     Numerals  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17 ,  18  and  19  represent a basic frame  20 . 
     A seat member includes a plurality of seat supports  27  and  28  which are contoured on the uppermost outer edge where the thighs of rider  65  shown in FIG. 7 rest by cutting off the outer uppermost corner. Seat supports  27  and  28  extend downward from the aforesaid contoured area approximately eight inches at an angle to support the rider&#39;s thighs. Seat supports  27  and  28  are also tapered along the inner edges for a length about seven inches from the front end and seven inches from the back end so that when seat supports  27  and  28  are being raised and lowered the right side seat support  27  and the left side seat support  28  will not interfere with each other. A plurality of handles  51  and  52  are one inch dowels which are inserted into holes drilled into the front ends of seat supports  27  and  28  at an angle as shown in FIG. 1, FIG.  7  and FIG.  8 . Seat supports  27  and  28  are made from material selected from the group consisting of wood. Handles  51  and  52  are made from material selected from the group consisting of wood or metal. 
     The front and back ends of a plurality of straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  are attached to the underside of seat supports  27  and  28 . More specifically, the front ends of straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  are attached along a line approximately half the length of seat supports  27  and  28 . The resulting apertures of straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 , lie next to each other in a row as shown. Straps  29  and  30  are attached to the underside of seat support  27  and straps  31  and  32  are attached to the underside of seat support  28 . Straps  29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32  are made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. 
     A plurality of hook screws  38 ,  39 ,  40 , and  41  are installed at an equal height in the lap joints of support posts  12  &amp;  13  and  14  &amp;  15  as shown. Hook screws  38  and  39  are spaced approximately two inches apart and hook screws  40  and  41  are spaced approximately two inches apart. Hook screws  38 ,  39 ,  40  and  41  are approximately two and one-half inches long and made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. 
     A support dowel  33  is approximately one and one-quarter inches in diameter and has a plurality of eye screws  57  and  58  shown in FIG. 2 installed into both ends. Eye screw  57  is installed into one end of support dowel  33  and eye screw  58  is installed into the opposite end of support dowel  33 . Support dowel  33  is made from material selected from the group consisting of wood. Eye screws  57  and  58  are approximately three inches long and made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. 
     A plurality of springs  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  37  are open ended coil springs about four inches long and about three-quarter inches wide. One end of both springs  34  and  35  is attached to hook screws  39  and  38  respectively. The remaining open ends of springs  34  and  35  are then attached to eye screw  57 . Springs  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  37  are made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. 
     Support dowel  33  is threaded through the apertures formed by straps  32 ,  31 ,  30 ,  29  and seat supports  27  and  28 . Eye screw  58  shown in FIG. 2 is connected to one end of both springs  36  and  37  and the remaining open ends of springs  36  and  37  are then connected to hook screws  41  and  40  respectively. 
     A plurality of backing boards  21  and  22  are attached to the front of support beam  16  and the front of support beam  17 . A box framework consisting of  24  and  23  is added to provide a foundation for a horse&#39;s girth  60 . A plurality of padded forms  25  and  26  cover the outer surface of box framework  23  and  24 . Padded forms  25  and  26  are secured around box framework  23  and  24  with a plurality of ties  48  and  49  and a tie  50  in the lower rear which is shown in FIG.  3 . Numerals  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  48 ,  49  and  50  represent the horse&#39;s girth  60 . Backing boards  21  &amp;  22  and box framework  23  &amp;  24  are made from material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic or wood. Padded forms  25 ,  26 , and ties  48 ,  49  and  50  are made from materials selected from the group consisting of textiles and fibers. 
     A plurality of stirrup ropes  46  and  47  are threaded through the apertures located at the top of a plurality of stirrups  44  and  45  respectively. The loose ends of stirrup ropes  46  and  47  are brought evenly together and threaded through the respective eye screws  43  and  42  which are installed in box framework  24  and then threaded through holes drilled through support beam  16  where the ends of stirrup ropes  46  and  47  are finally secured with overhand knots. The stirrup ropes  46  and  47  can be lengthened or shortened to accommodate riders of differing heights. Stirrups  44  and  45  are made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. Stirrup ropes  46  and  47  are made from material selected from the group consisting of fiber. Eye screws  43  and  42  are approximately three inches long and are made from material selected from the group consisting of metal. 
     FIG. 2 shows more clearly from the back of the device tie  50  that further secures padded forms  25  and  26  around horse&#39;s girth  60 . Stirrup ropes  46  and  47  are shown secured with overhand knots in the back of support beam  16 . Eye screw  58  is also represented on support dowel  33 . Box framework  23  and  24  is more clearly depicted in its manner of attachment to backing boards  21  and  22  in that box framework  23  and  24  encloses backing boards  21  and  22 . 
     FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  which contain support dowel  33  and which are attached to the underside of seat supports  27  and  28 . Straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  have a diameter from front to back that is greater than the diameter of support dowel  33 . The space intervening between support dowel  33  and straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  forms an aperture which allows for sideways turning of the seat supports  27  and  28 . As depicted in FIG. 3 the apertures of straps  29 ,  39 ,  31  and  32  lie next to each other in a row. The front edge of straps  29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32  lie along the line that divides the length of the seat supports  27  and  28  approximately in half. Straps  29 ,  30 ,  31  and  32  are parallel to each other. 
     FIG. 4 shows the device from the front with seat supports  27  and  28  in their pre-mount position. FIG. 4 shows a stirrup bar  62  which is connected to support posts  13  and  14  by a plurality of stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64 . Stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64  are threaded through separate holes drilled through both ends of stirrup bar  62  and secured by overhand knots on the underneath of stirrup bar  62 . The free ends of stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64  are threaded through separate holes drilled through support posts  13  and  14  and secured on the outside surface of support posts  13  and  14  by overhand knots. Stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64  can be shortened or lengthened to accommodate riders of differing heights. Stirrup bar  62  is an alternate foot hold and replaces the need for stirrups  44  and  45 , eye screws  42  and  43 , and ropes  46  and  47 . Stirrup bar  62  is recommended for beginner riders or novice riders because should the rider  65  lose his or her balance the rider&#39;s foot can easily step down off the device and then the rider  65  can readily remount. Stirrup bar  62  is made from material selected from the group consisting of wood. Stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64  are made from material selected from the group consisting of fiber. 
     FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the attachment of eye screw  58  to springs  36  and  37  and springs  36  and  37  attachment to hook screws  41  and  40  respectively. 
     FIG. 6 shows seat supports  27  and  28  in their furthest position to the rear which allows a clearer view of the stirrup ropes  46  and  47  passage through eye screws  43  and  42  and their further passage through the holes drilled through support beam  16 . Tie  49  securing padded forms  25  and  26  is more clearly depicted. 
     FIG. 7 shows the device with seat supports  27  and  28  being manipulated to the maximum required displacement to simulate the diagonal movement of the posting trot. The rider  65  is shown sitting in solid lines and rising in broken lines. 
     FIG. 8 shows seat supports  27  and  28  being manipulated to show the maximum displacement required of seat supports  27  and  28  to perform the canter movement. The solid lined and broken lined image of seat support  27  shows the maximum displacement for the canter. Seat support  28  and seat support  27  (in solid lines) shows the point where the seat support  28  commences following the movements of seat support  27 . 
     FIG. 9 shows the range of motion of seat supports  27  and  28  for sideways turning to the right (solid lines) and left (broken lines.) 
     FIG. 9A shows the space intervening between support dowel  33  and straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 , and  32  which allows for sideways movements of seat supports  27  and  28 . 
     The hobby horse device of the above construction is operated as follows. Mounted, a rider  65  straddles the seat supports  27  and  28 , and places both feet in the stirrups  44  and  45 , or in the alternative on stirrup bar  62 . The rider&#39;s calves contact the horse&#39;s girth  60 , and the rider&#39;s hands take hold of both handles  51  and  52 . It is recommended that rider  65  stand up in the stirrups  44  and  45  or stirrup bar  62  (with weight down into heels) in a two point position to find a balanced position and then lower himself or herself onto the seat supports  27  and  28 . Stirrup ropes  46  and  47 , or stirrup bar ropes  63  and  64  will become taut and should remain taut throughout the exercise/practice session. 
     The posting trot can be practiced by rider  65  pressing down on the seat supports  27  and  28  with his/her seat and rising with his/her seat in a rhythm that is comfortable. The springs  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  37  which suspend the support dowel  33 , and seat supports  27  and  28  from the basic frame  20  (by their attachment to hook screws  38 ,  39 ,  40 ,  41  and eye screws  57  and  58 ) provide the vertical movement by extending when rider  65  presses down with his/her seat and by returning to their original shape when rider  65  rises off the seat. Once rider  65  is in balance with this vertical movement of posting, the diagonal movement can be added by alternately raising and lowering the seat supports  27  and  28 . Both seat supports  27  and  28  rest upon a support dowel  33  which acts as a fulcrum and the seat supports  27  and  28  act as levers which turn independently around the support dowel  33 . When rider  65  raises and lowers the seat supports  27  and  28  with handles  51  and  52  in an alternating manner, a diagonal movement is produced beneath the riderts seat. 
     This device allows rider  65  to determine which diagonal he/she is posting to because each time rider  65  rises, the same seat support  27  or  28  will be in the down position. Rider  65  can easily practice changing diagonals. Rider  65  will also be able to determine which direction the horse is prepared to turn. 
     Turning is accomplished by rider  65  opening his/her shoulder in the direction rider  65  wishes to turn. Seat supports  27  and  28  will turn in that direction because when rider  65  opens his/her shoulder the rider&#39;s pelvis also turns in that direction and seat supports  27  and  28  are pushed by the rider&#39;s outside leg in the direction of the turn. During turns, the seat supports  27  and  28  slide diagonally across the surface of the support dowel  33  causing the support dowel  33  to occupy diagonally the space existing between the support dowel  33  and the straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 . 
     Half-halting and halting can be practiced on the present invention by rider  65 . Rider  65 , while posting the trot or cantering must squeeze the seat supports  27  and  28  together with his/her thighs and sit down firmly for a stride until the seat supports  27  and  28  resist movement due to the friction between seat supports  27  and  28 . To half-halt rider  65  must hold the squeeze of the seat supports  27  and  28  for a short time, possibly half a stride, and then resume posting or cantering. To halt, rider  65  continues to squeeze the seat supports  27  and  28  together and sit down firmly until rider  65  can no longer raise and lower the seat supports  27  and  28 . 
     Cantering will be simulated when rider  65  raises and lowers the seat supports  27  and  28  in a certain pattern. Rider  65  should raise one seat support, for instance seat support  27 . When seat support  27  is at it&#39;s required height rider  65  will begin to raise the other seat support  28  and from that point on the seat supports  27  and  28  will continue being raised and lowered at a continuous speed and rhythm in a following motion. The rider&#39;s seat will maintain contact with seat supports  27  and  28  during the canter movement. The seesawing movement and diagonal movement produced by the manipulation of the seat supports  27  and  28  in combination with rider  65  sitting and pressing down with his/her seat rhythmically for the vertical movements creates a realistic feeling canter movement. 
     The trot, canter, turning, halting and half-halting can also be ridden by rider  65  in the two point position with satisfactory simulation of horse movements. 
     This hobby horse device provides a realistic horse movement in which rider  65  is able to practice applying all leg aides while posting the trot, cantering, turning, half-halting and halting so that rider  65  can strengthen the appropriate muscles required for riding in the sport of horseback riding. Since this device is actuated by rider  65 , rider  65  is in complete control of the gaits sought and their respective speeds. Transitions up to trot and canter and down to trot and halt can also be practiced to improve balance. This device also allows rider  65  to monitor the “quietness” of his/her hands by noting when he/she is pulling or pushing on the handles as he/she raises and lowers them. 
     Thus the reader will see that the present invention provides an effective exercise and practice device for horseback riders which is sturdy, easy to operate, inexpensive and which can be ridden by persons of almost any age. 
     The principles, a preferred embodiment and the mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiment disclosed. The embodiment is therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example the present invention could consist solely of seat supports  27  and  28 , support dowel  33 , straps  29 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32 , eye screws  57  and  58 , springs  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  37  and hook screws  38 ,  39 ,  40 ,  41  and simply be attached to and suspended between any door frame. With this embodiment the rider would use the floor surface for the foot support. Or, seat supports  27  and  28  could have handles  51  and  52  attached on the back of seat supports  27  and  28  so that the device could be operated for the rider by another person and the rider could practice riding hands free. Or, seat supports  27  and  28  could have an opening drilled horizontally through their thickness which would accommodate support dowel  33  and hold support dowel  33  adjacent to seat supports  27  and  28 . Further, this device could use the alternate stirrup bar  62  and omit the horse&#39;s girth  60  altogether. Additionally, the basic frame  20 , box framework  23  and  24 , backing board  21  and  22 , seat supports  27  and  28 , handles  51  and  52 , and/or support dowel  33 , could be constructed out of various other materials such as metal, and the sizes and shapes could vary. Additionally, it will be understood that other materials may be used advantageously for the horse&#39;s girth, as, for example, parts may be molded of suitable plastic materials or weight-bearing components may be made of or reinforced with metal. For mass production, molded plastic parts offer the advantage of combining a number of adjacent parts in single units rather than individual components which must later be joined together. 
     Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the claims and their legal equivalents. 
     REFERENCE NUMBERS 
       12  support post 
       13  support post 
       14  support post 
       15  support post 
       16  support beam 
       17  support beam 
       18  base board 
       19  base board 
       20  basic frame 
       21  backing board 
       22  backing board 
       23  box framework 
       24  box framework 
       25  padded form 
       26  padded form 
       27  seat support 
       28  seat support 
       29  strap 
       30  strap 
       31  strap 
       32  strap 
       33  support dowel 
       34  spring 
       35  spring 
       36  spring 
       37  spring 
       38  hook screw 
       39  hook screw 
       40  hook screw 
       41  hook screw 
       42  eye screw 
       43  eye screw 
       44  stirrup 
       45  stirrup 
       46  stirrup rope 
       47  stirrup rope 
       48  tie 
       49  tie 
       50  tie 
       51  handle 
       52  handle 
       57  eye screw 
       58  eye screw 
       60  horse&#39;s girth 
       62  stirrup bar 
       63  stirrup bar rope 
       64  stirrup bar rope 
       65  rider