Abstract:
An apparatus, system, and method for guiding an animal includes a hackamore for the purpose of riding without a mouth bit, chains or side shanks. Neck reining is encouraged by applying pressure to the neck and the outside of the lower jaw on the same side, which then encourages the horse to bend in the proper direction. Because of the uniquely designed hackamore, the horse is encouraged to stop with minimum pressure. As the neck rein pressure is applied, the plate twists and applies pressure to the side of the jaw, the horse moves away from the pressure providing more control to the rider. Because of the instant release of the pressure, the horse feels the rider&#39;s instant and complete release which provides for easier and faster training of the horse. The adjustable nature of the hackamore allows for the rider to fit various animals unique muzzle structure.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/499,791 entitled “GENTLE CONTROL HACKAMORE” and filed on Aug. 7, 2006 for Barry Howard, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to a device for restraining and controlling an animal, at rest and during exercise, and more particularly to a hackamore which enables gentle control of a horse or other animal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Bridles for the humane restraint and control of horses and other animals generally comprise a head gear consisting of a headstall adapted to be strapped to the horse&#39;s head, a mouthpiece or bit connected to the headstall, and a pair of reins connected at opposite ends of the bit. At exercise, whether ridden or driven, by applying pressure on one rein, the rider can pull one end of the bit backward into the horse&#39;s mouth and against the tongue, gums, and lips, thereby causing the horse to turn in the direction of the pull in an effort to lessen the discomfort from the bit bearing on the tender tissue of the mouth. By applying pressure on both reins, the rider can pull the bit backward into the horse&#39;s mouth and against the soft tissues of both sides of the mouth, with the expectation that the horse will slow or stop in order to minimize its discomfort.  
         [0006]     Such bitted bridles, however, are uncertain in their action because they initiate an adversarial relationship between the horse and the rider. For example, the bit causes pain and other reactions that are not consistent with the physiology of exercise. Governance is predicated primarily upon the application of pain to induce submission. Because the bit is a foreign object placed inside the mouth of the horse, many horses react negatively to such a device. Instead of stopping, for example, they sometimes respond to pain by running away or bolting.  
         [0007]     Furthermore, many horses balk at or chew the bit, have sore mouths as a result of the bit being placed in their mouth, salivate excessively or misbehave during the process of being bridled and rear their heads so that the bit cannot easily be placed in their mouths in the first instance. Moreover, it is also known that a bit in the horse&#39;s mouth often leads to cutting of the tongue, dental pain and severe bruising of the gums and underlying bone. Finally, all bits are counter-productive and contraindicated as, apart from pain, they trigger a cascade of physiological effects that are incompatible with athletic performance. Therefore, bitted bridles are harmful to the horse since control is dependent on painful pressure on the acutely sensitive tissue of the mouth and they stimulate other effects that are inconsistent with the physiological needs of an exercising animal.  
         [0008]     For these reasons hackamore-type, or bitless, bridles are often used to break horses or used on horses that have mouth problems, not allowing the use of a bit. Various hackamores have been developed to minimize discomfort to the horse.  
         [0009]     One form of bitless bridle, the mechanical hackamore bridle, utilizes rigid shanks which operate such that the application of pressure to the reins results in a leverage action to the jaw. Such bridles, however, are dangerous to the safety of the animal in that they apply severe pressure to the bridge of the nose and the chin. Braking control of the horse is predicated once again on pain, and, as with the bit, upon obstructing the airway by bringing about extreme poll flexion.  
         [0010]     Similarly, the mechanical hackamore and other variations on this concept fail to utilize pressure points located on the outside of the lower jaw of the animal. Such pressure points beneficially allow gentle steering control of the animal with limited pressure from the reins. These bridles are disadvantageous in that they apply pressure only to the nose and/or under the chin of the horse rather than at the sensitive pressure points located on the outside of the animals lower jaw.  
         [0011]     Finally, none of the previously available bitless bridles are universally applicable to all types of horses, mules, donkeys, or similar animals. Nor are any of the previously available bitless bridles suitable for all types of equestrian sports or activity; different sizes and structures are necessary to accommodate different activities.  
         [0012]     From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that a need exists for a safe, effective, adjustable bitless animal guiding method, apparatus and system. Beneficially, such an apparatus should be designed to be used with a standard headstall and reins and should encourage neck reining. The apparatus should be easily and efficiently manufactured of durable and reliable material at a cost consumers can afford.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available bitless guiding systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for guiding an animal that overcome many or all shortcomings in the art.  
         [0014]     In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for use in an animal guidance system includes a control plate configured to hang under an animals jaw and a lateral member attached at an angle to the side of the control plate. In one embodiment, a noseband is attached to the control plate, the noseband configured to attach the control plate to the animal&#39;s head. In certain embodiments a rein is attached to the control plate, the rein configured to pivot the control plate in response to pressure applied to the rein.  
         [0015]     In a further aspect of the invention, a method of guiding an animal includes applying a first pressure to the outside of an animal&#39;s lower jaw and applying a second pressure to the animal&#39;s neck. In certain embodiments the second pressure applied to the animals neck is applied on substantially the same side of the animal as the first pressure applied to the animal&#39;s lower jaw.  
         [0016]     In one aspect of the invention, a hackamore for guiding an animal includes a control plate, a lateral member connected at an angle to the side of the control plate, a noseband attached to the control plate and a rein attached to the control plate.  
         [0017]     In a further aspect of the invention, an apparatus for guiding an animal comprises a control plate, a lateral member connected at an angle to the side of the control plate, a noseband attachment aperture disposed within the control plate, a noseband attachment strap disposed within the noseband attachment aperture, a noseband attached to the noseband attachment strap, and a rein attached to the control plate. In certain embodiments the noseband comprises a metal cable encompassed by a braided leather rope to protect the animal&#39;s nose.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, an apparatus for guiding an animal includes a control plate having a first and second end. The control plate comprises a plurality of lateral members attached to the side of the control plate at a 45 degree angle in relation to the control plate. A plurality of noseband attachment apertures are disposed substantially in the center of the first end and the second end. A tongue is disposed between the noseband attachment apertures and the second end, the tongue disposed at a 145 degree angle in relation to the control plate. A rein attachment aperture is disposed on the tongue, the rein attachment aperture being disposed proximal the second end of the control plate. A control plate retention attachment slot is disposed at the first end of the control plate. The apparatus for guiding animals, in certain embodiments, also includes an adjustable nose band disposed within the plurality of noseband attachment apertures. An adjustable control plate retention strap is disposed within the control plate retention strap attachment slot. An adjustable throatlatch is attached to the adjustable control plate retention strap. A browband is attached to the adjustable throatlatch. A rein is attached to the rein attachment aperture.  
         [0019]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0020]     The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings, which depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered limiting of its scope, in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of an animal guiding apparatus attached to a headstall and reins according to the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an animal guiding apparatus attached to a headstall and reins according to the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of an animal guiding apparatus attached to a headstall and reins according to the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5A  is an end-on view looking down the plane of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5B  is an end-on view looking down the plane of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5C  is an end-on view looking down the plane of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a split control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a control plate according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an animal guiding apparatus installed on a horse according to one embodiment of the current invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method of guiding and animal according to the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present invention, as presented in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.  
         [0037]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0038]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one embodiment of the current invention is shown. When fitted on a horse, mule or donkey and adjusted to the nose properly, a noseband  100  rests on the bridge of the animal&#39;s nose. The noseband  100  may be made of leather, synthetic leather, fabric or other material for comfort on the animal. The noseband  100  may also be padded for the animal&#39;s comfort. The noseband  100  connects to the control plate  110  through noseband attachment apertures  170  and  180 . In one embodiment of the current invention, the noseband  100  is affixed by sliding the two ends of the noseband  100  through the noseband attachment apertures  170  and  180  and adjustably affixing them to one another. The ends may be affixed by use of a buckle, cam device, Velcro or other suitable means for connecting two straps to each other. Alternatively, each end of the noseband  100  may be separately affixed to the control plate  110 .  
         [0039]     The noseband  100  is connected to a control plate  110  which hangs below the animal&#39;s lower jaw. In one embodiment, the control plate  110  rests about one inch below the animal&#39;s lower jaw and is parallel with the jaw. To achieve a one inch gap between the control plate  110  and the animal&#39;s lower jaw, the length of the noseband  100  is adjustable by a buckle  190  or other adjustment means as is known in the art.  
         [0040]     To achieve a parallel alignment with the animal&#39;s lower jaw, an adjustable throatlatch  125  is provided which runs over the animal&#39;s poll. Attached to the throatlatch  125  is a control plate retention strap  135  which is similarly adjustable. When fitted to the animal, throatlatch  125  is tightened under the animals jaw and held in place by a buckle  113  or other adjustment means as is known in the art. When the throatlatch  125  is tightened around the animals jaw, the throatlatch  125  is maintained in this position. A control plate retention strap  135  is attached at one end to the control plate  110  through a control plate retention strap slot  114  located on the control plate  110 . The other end of the control plate retention strap  135  is attached to the throatlatch  125 . The control plate retention strap  135  can then be adjusted to maintain a parallel alignment of the control plate with the animal&#39;s jaw. In certain embodiments, a browband  145  may be attached to the throatlatch  125  to maintain the position of the bridle on the animal&#39;s head.  
         [0041]     Additional adjustments to the fit of the bridle may be accomplished through additional adjustment points  107  and  108  on cheekpiece  105  and  106  respectively. Cheekpieces  105  and  106  may run from the noseband  100  to the crownpiece  115 . The cheekpieces  105  and  106  are attached to the noseband  100  at attachment slots  111  and  112 . The cheekpieces  105  may be adjusted by use of a buckle, cam device, Velcro or other such adjustment means. The adjustment will depend on the anatomy of the animal upon which the current invention is placed.  
         [0042]     The control plate comprises a first end  120  and a second end  130  and is made of a rigid material such as plastic or metal. A rein attachment aperture  140  is located in the second end  130  of the control plate  110  to attach reins  150  to the control plate  110 . Rein attachment clips  160  may be provided for attaching the reins  150  to the control plate  110 . In one embodiment the reins  150  may be directly attached to the control plate  110  at the rein attachment point  140 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a metal cable  202  covered in leather or other material may comprise the noseband  200 . The leather or other material is braided around the metal cable  202  to prevent chafing on the animal&#39;s nose. In certain embodiments the leather or other material may be sewn in a manner to cover the metal cable  202 . In other embodiments, the metal cable may be left bare. Enlarged portions  220  and  230  may comprise braided leather and may provide attachment channels  240  for attaching cheekpiece&#39;s  205  and  206 . Cheekpiece&#39;s  205  and  206  may have a Conway buckle  207  to adjust the device to accommodate different animals&#39; anatomy. While the illustrated embodiment shows a Conway buckle as the adjustment means, one skilled in the art will recognize that other adjustment means may be used.  
         [0044]     The noseband  200  is connected to a control plate  250  which hangs below the animal&#39;s lower jaw. To connect the noseband  200  to the control plate  250 , the metal cable  202  is disposed through noseband attachment apertures  203 . The metal cable  202  is maintained within the noseband attachment apertures  203  by retention collars  204  held in place by a set screw. The retention collars  204  allow the noseband to be adjusted to accommodate different facial anatomy of the animal.  
         [0045]     Rein attachment apertures  241  and  242  are disposed in the control plate  250  to attach reins  270 . Rein attachment clips  260  are provided for attaching the reins  270  to the control plate  250 . In certain embodiments the reins  270  may be directly attached to the control plate  250  at the rein attachment apertures  241  and  242 .  
         [0046]     To achieve a parallel alignment between the control plate  250  and the lower jaw, an adjustable throatlatch  225  runs over the animal&#39;s poll and is adjusted by a Conway buckle  226  or other adjustment mechanism. When the throatlatch  225  is tightened around the jaw, the throatlatch is maintained about the jaw. A control plate retention strap  235  attached to the throatlatch  225  may then be adjusted to maintain a parallel alignment of the control plate  250  with the lower jaw. The control plate retention strap  235  is attached to the control plate  250  through a control plate retention strap attachment slot  214  located on the control plate  250 .  
         [0047]     Cheekpieces  205  and  206  are connected to form a crownpiece  215  which loops around the animal&#39;s poll behind its ears. The throatlatch strap  225  may also loop around the animal&#39;s poll behind its ears. In certain embodiments, a browband  245  may be attached to the throatlatch  225  to maintain the position of the bridle on the animal&#39;s head.  
         [0048]     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  is substantially similar to  FIG. 2  except for the noseband attachment. The noseband  300  may comprise a metal cable  302  wrapped in leather or other material to protect the animal&#39;s nose. The cable  302  may form a loop  304  to attach a noseband adjustment strap  306 . The noseband adjustment strap  306  may connect to the control plate  110  through noseband attachment apertures  370  and  380 . Adjustment of the noseband adjustment strap  306  and subsequently the noseband  300  is made through a buckle  390  or other adjustment means as is known in the art.  
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates a control plate  400  according to one embodiment of the current invention. In certain embodiments, the control plate  400  measures about 6 inches by about 6 inches. The control plate  400  is constructed of metal, plastic or other rigid material. The control plate may comprise a first end  404  and a second end  406 . A control plate strap retention attachment slot  412  is disposed proximal the first end  404  of the control plate  400 . Noseband attachment apertures  414  are disposed substantially in the middle of the control plate  400  between the first end  404  and the second end  406 . The noseband attachment apertures  414  are substantially circular to maintain a metal noseband cable, such as noseband  202  of  FIG. 2 , therein.  
         [0050]     Lateral members  402  are disposed on either side of the control plate  400  between the noseband attachment apertures  414  and the first end  404 . The lateral members  402  are substantially elevated from the plane of the control plate  400 . In certain embodiments the lateral members  402  and the control plate  400  may comprise separate elements attached to each other such that the lateral members  402  are substantially elevated from plane of the control plate  400 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral members  402  and the control plate  400  may comprise a solid, unitary material wherein the lateral members  402  are bent upwards along lines  416  and  418 .  
         [0051]     Rein attachment slots  408  and  410  are disposed proximal the second end  406  of the control plate  400 . In certain embodiments, not shown, the rein attachment slot may comprise a single opening for attaching the reins. The rein attachment apertures are disposed on a tongue  420  located between the noseband attachment apertures  414  and the second end  406 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 5A  illustrates an end on view looking at the first end  404  along the plane of the control plate  400 . In certain embodiments, lateral members  402  may be disposed at about a 45 degree angle relative to the plane of the control plate  400 . In other embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the lateral members  402  may be disposed at about a 90 degree angle relative to the plane of the control plate  400 . In certain embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5C , a nodule  430  may be disposed on top of each lateral member to provide directed pressure to the pressure points located on the side of the animals head.  
         [0053]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a side view of the control plate  400 , tongue  420  and lateral members  402  according to one embodiment of the current invention. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6A  the tongue is disposed at about a 45 degree angle relative to the plane of the control plate  400 . In other embodiments certain embodiments the tongue  420  is disposed in substantially the same plane as the control plate  400 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of a control plate  700  in which noseband attachment apertures  702  are disposed at about the center of the control plate  700 . In use, the noseband adjustment strap  306 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is disposed through the noseband attachment apertures  702 . The noseband adjustment strap  306  is adjustably connected under the control plate  700 . In certain embodiments, a flat noseband, such as noseband  100  of FIG.  1 , is disposed through the noseband attachment apertures  702 . The noseband  100  may be adjustably connected under the control plate  700  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment of the current invention in which the apparatus comprises two independent control plates  1002  and  1004 . The control plates  1002  and  1004  are mirror images of each other and have a lateral member  1006  and  1008  disposed at the side of the control plate  1002  and  1006  respectively. Control plate retention slots  1010  and  1012  are disposed on each control plate  1002  and  1004  and serve to retain the control plates  1002  and  1004  in a position substantially parallel to the animal&#39;s lower jaw. A noseband attachment slot  1014  and  1016  is disposed on each control plate  1002  and  1004 . Rein attachment points  1018  and  1020  are disposed on each control plate  1002  and  1004  respectively and serve to pivot the control plate when pressure is applied to the rein.  
         [0056]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the lateral members  1102  may comprise tabs disposed on each side of the control plate  1104 . In certain embodiments the lateral members  1102  are disposed at about a 45 degree angle in relation to the plane of the control plate  1104 . In other embodiments the lateral members  1102  may be disposed at about a 90 degree angle in relation to the plane of the control plate  1104 .  
         [0057]     Turning now to  FIG. 10  illustrating one embodiment of the current invention fitted to a horse. In use, a buckle  190  adjusts the noseband  100  to provide about a one inch gap between the control plate  110  and the lower jaw. The throatlatch  125  is adjusted by buckle  113  to secure the throatlatch  125  around the jaw of the animal. An adjustable control plate retention strap  135  is connected to the throatlatch  125  at one end and the control plate  110  at the other end. Adjustments to the control plate retention strap  135  may maintain the control plate parallel to the lower jaw of the animal. Thus, by adjusting the noseband  100  and the control plate retention strap  135 , the control plate may hang about one inch below and approximately parallel to the animal&#39;s lower jaw.  
         [0058]     The control plate  110  may hang by the noseband  100  such that the control plate  110  may pivot around the connection between the control plate  110  and the noseband  100  at a pivot point  800 . The control plate  110  may pivot in response to pressure applied from the reins  150 . As the control plate  110  rotates about the pivot point  800 , lateral members  402  are forced into the pressure points located on the outside of the lower jaw of the animal. The pressure applied to the reins  150  to rotate the control plate  110  may result in pressure applied to the animal&#39;s neck on the same side as the pressure applied to the lower jaw of the animal.  
         [0059]     As is known in the art, an animal tends to move away from pressure. Therefore, the current invention encourages neck reining, a trait desirable in training a horse, mule or donkey. This neck reining encouragement results from pressure applied to the same side of the lower jaw as the pressure applied to the neck. The pressure encourages the horse to bend in the proper direction.  
         [0060]     When pressure is applied to both reins  150  at the same time, the control plate  110  will not rotate. Instead, the control plate  110  will lever into the lower jaw of the animal and pull the noseband  100  tighter onto the nose of the animal. Because the pivot point  800  is disposed in about the center of the device, the control plate  110  may provide a one to one pressure ratio when pressure is applied to the reins. Similarly, the noseband  100  is lower on the animal&#39;s head than where the control plate  110  contacts the underside of the lower jaw. This action encourages the animal to break at the poll and round up its shoulders. Because of the uniquely designed Hackamore, the horse is encouraged to collect and back up with minimum pressure applied to the reins  150 .  
         [0061]     The current invention, when adjusted to hang about one inch below and approximately parallel with the animals lower jaw, will give instant release of pressure to the animal when rein tension has been released. This almost instant release of pressure encourages faster training of the animal than can be achieved with conventional hackamores, bits, and bridles.  
         [0062]     The current device may be used with standard headstalls and reins equipped with a throatlatch. Thus, the device will give the horse, mule or donkey maximum comfort and the rider maximum safe control.  
         [0063]     The schematic diagram illustrated in  FIG. 11  is generally set forth as a logical flow chart diagram depicting a method for guiding an animal. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.  
         [0064]      FIG. 11  illustrates a method  900  of guiding an animal according to one embodiment of the current invention. A first pressure is applied  902  to an animal&#39;s lower jaw. A second pressure is applied  902  to the animal&#39;s neck. The first pressure and the second pressure are applied  902  and  904  on substantially the same side of the animal. The first pressure and the second pressure applied  902  and  904  are approximately simultaneous.  
         [0065]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.