Abstract:
A saddle assembly for use by handicapped riders, a saddle assembly including a bridle having reins extending therefrom and a saddle having stirrups connected thereto, the improvement comprising interconnecting straps extending between the stirrups and the reins whereby movement of the reins would cause movement of one or more of the stirrups.

Description:
The present invention relates to a saddle assembly and more particularly, relates to a saddle assembly suitable for use with handicapped people. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Horseback riding is a widely practised activity enjoyed by many. However, for physically handicapped people and particularly those without full use of their legs, it becomes extremely difficult to practice the sport. For example, the rider without use of the legs cannot provide the proper signals to the horse in a conventional manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a saddle assembly suitable for use by handicapped people. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, in a saddle assembly which includes a bridle having reins extending therefrom and a saddle having stirrups connected thereto, there is provided the improvement comprising of interconnecting means extending between said stirrups and said reins whereby movement of said reins will cause movement of one or more of said stirrups. 
     In greater detail, the present invention will preferably include a number of conventional components of a saddle assembly including the seat portion. Preferably attached to the seat portion is an upwardly extending back adapted to support the rider. 
     The back may include means for retaining the person in a desired position, and to this end, would include straps or the like. 
     The back member may also be attached in a manner such that it is moveable with respect to the seat. Thus, it is possible that the back would be rotatable and/or could be moveable to a substantially horizontal position. Furthermore, the back member may be releasably attached to the saddle for those riders not requiring the support. A headrest portion may also be provided and suitable cushioning and support means will be associated therewith. Preferably, the headrest is adjustable in a vertical direction along with means for retaining the same in a desired position. Such means are well known in the art and need not be discussed in detail herein. 
     The general assembly will preferably include such conventional components such as a saddle horn, a pad underneath the seat portion along with fenders and stirrups. 
     The assembly is used with a conventional bridle which may include a head stall, browband, cheek straps and noseband. The interconnecting means will preferably comprise a member extending between the reins and the stirrups such that movement of the reins will cause a corresponding movement in the stirrup. This will replicate the action of a conventional rider and allow the horse to properly respond to the commands. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating use of the saddle assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the saddle assembly of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the saddle assembly; 
     FIGS. 4A,  4 B and  4 C are views of different seat arrangements; 
     FIGS. 5A,  5 B and  5 C show different handles which may be incorporated with the saddle; and 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an alternative arrangement for the stirrup straps. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, the saddle assembly includes a conventional seat portion which is designated by reference numeral  10 . Attached to the seat is a back member  12 . The saddle includes a conventional saddle horn  14 . A pair of straps  16  are associated with back  12  and include buckles  20  for purposes of retaining the rider. 
     Back member  12  includes a head rest portion generally designated by reference numeral  22  and which head rest portion is mounted on a shaft  24  which is retained in a desired position by means of a screw  26 . 
     The saddle has a pad  28  underneath and also has fenders  30  extending downwardly therefrom. Stirrups  32  are attached by means of stirrup straps  34 . Stirrups  32  also include stirrup tie straps  36  for retaining the foot of the rider. Similarly, leg tie straps  38  may be suitably secured to fenders  30  for secure engagement with the leg of the rider. 
     As is conventional, the saddle includes a girth strap  40 . 
     Bridle  42  includes a head stall  44  and a browband  46 . Cheek straps  48  extend to a noseband  50 . Snaffle bits  52  are provided and which are attached to reins  54 . 
     According to the present invention, there is provided an interconnecting strap  56  which, in each side, will extend from stirrup  32  to be secured to the reins  54 . Thus, movement of the reins will also cause movement of the stirrups to provide the proper signals to the horse. 
     Turning to FIGS. 4A,  4 B and  4 C, there is illustrated a modified back portion  112  which is adjustable in height as indicated by arrows  74 . A further version is illustrated in FIG. 4B wherein back portion  212  has a pivoting structure and can turn as indicated by arrows  76 . In FIG. 4C, a further embodiment of a back portion  312  can be rotated backwardly as indicated by arrow  78  by means of hinge members  80 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 5A,  5 B and  5 C, there may be provided a plurality of different handles depending upon the needs of the rider. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5A, there is provided a single handle  62  at the front of the saddle  10 . In FIG. 5B, there is provided a pair of handles  64  and  66  at the front of the saddle. FIG. 5C illustrates a combination of the above wherein there is provided both a single handle  62  and a double handle  64 ,  66  arrangement. 
     Also, as may be seen in FIG. 5C, the saddle may be provided with an inflatable cushion generally designated by reference numeral  70 . Inflatable cushion  70  can assist in the balancing and provides a flexible seat arrangement. Suitable pump means may be provided for adjusting the pressure within cushion  70 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, stirrup  32  is preferably made to be adjustable and thus, there may be different attachment means  33 . Stirrup  32  is also preferably turnable from one side to the other and is provided with one side which is larger than the other to provide for the stirrup adjustability. A suitable anti-slip surface may be provided thereon. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.