Abstract:
A draping system designed for the treatment of a horse tail or mane having drapes shaped to expose a horse tail and a horse mane, while protecting underlying and adjacent areas of the horse&#39;s coat from unwanted treatment solutions. The draping system is especially useful in cosmetic treatments of the horse tail or mane, as for example when applying coloring or permanent treatments or when applying a medicament in liquid or powder form.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of treating a horses tail and mane with specialized drapes and treatment solutions. 
     More specifically, it is often desirable to apply treatment solutions to the main and tail of a horse for cosmetic and other reasons. While braiding and tail extensions have long been known in the art, no ready solution has existed for the problem of coloring and or chemically treating horses&#39; tail and mane. What is needed therefore is an easily used system for treating a horse tail and mane with treatment substances while protecting adjacent areas of the horse coat from inadvertent contact with the treatment substances. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a device and associated method for the treatment of a horse&#39;s tail and mane with treatment substances of both cosmetic and medical nature applied by isolating the horse tail or mane. Specifically, a system of drapes customized for equine use and a combination of treatment substances for application to a horse&#39;s body for cosmetic and other purposes are described. 
     Common to both preferred and alternate embodiments of the system described, are shaped drapes each designed to fit around the tail and mane portions of a horse, having apertures and slit shaped openings for the pulling through of either a horse tail or mane, with the remainder of each drape protecting adjacent and underlying areas from undesired contact with treatment substances. The drapes are kept on the animal by means of form fitting construction with ties, straps, snaps and hook and loop fasteners. 
     Both one and two-panel drapes have a joining means whereby an opening in the drape for the passing through of a horse tail or mane is held together and the drape positioned and secured upon a horse body preferably by paired straps encircling the body of the animal affixed at the distal ends, shorter straps having hook or loop fasteners at the respective distal ends, straps with hook fasteners paired with fastening pads with loop fasteners. Other securing means such as straps having a hook paired to an opposing grommet on the drape panel are conceivable and would be readily understood and appreciated by one skilled in the art. With the exception of one embodiment having a disposable plastic drape, the mane drapes described have a hook and eye fasteners just above the forelock by which the two panels are joined. 
     Preferably all drapes are constructed of a lightweight launderable material impermeable to treatment solutions such as so-called chemical capes which are usually a combination of polyurethane over a nylon substrate, although it is conceivable that the drapes may be made of thin plastic material such as high or low density polyethylene and therefore disposable. For one-time use drapes, plastic tie-straps would be made of the same material as the drape body to reduce costs. Additionally, the drapes whether reusable or disposable, can have an absorbent layer such as a foam backing to wick off excess liquid substance. Reusable drapes would be cut, sewn and assembled in the manner of garments with straps and fastening pads preferably sewn onto the panels. Disposable drapes would normally be die cut. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a means for the treatment of a horse and specifically cosmetic beautification of a horse tail and mane. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of isolating a hair treatment to targeted areas while protecting adjacent areas. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of application of cosmetic solutions selected for use with a horse tail or mane. 
     The applicant is not aware of any previously described art having the features and advantages of the present invention. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of illustration and example, the various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a preferred embodiment having a two-piece rear drape; 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of a two-piece rear drape in typical use seen from behind the animal; 
         FIG. 3  is plan view of a preferred embodiment having a mane drape; 
         FIG. 4  is the obverse of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of both a rear drape and mane drape in place on a horse. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternate embodiment having a one-piece rear drape; 
         FIG. 7  is plan view of an alternate embodiment having a mane drape with arcuate openings for the ears; 
         FIG. 8  is plan view of another alternate embodiment having a mane drape with annular elastic bordered openings for the ears; 
         FIG. 9  is plan view of yet another alternate embodiment having a mane drape that is disposable, being made of sheet plastic with ties about the perimeter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , a plan view is shown of that part of the present invention providing for the selective exposure of the tail portion of a horse for the application of a hair treatment substance while offering draping protection to areas underlying the drape and adjacent to the tail. Rear drape  6 ′ is divided into two panels  12 L and  12 R for the left and right sides of the horse respectively. Both left and right portions have an arcuate cut  16  so that a circular opening is formed for the passing through of a horse tail when the two panels are positioned upon the horse and held in place by strap pair  18  having a hook and loop fastening arrangement  18   a , 18   b  brought around the horse to encircle the animal&#39;s chest  FIG. 5 . Straps  20  disposed between the two panels are connectable to fastening pads  19  in order to hold the two panels together. The joining means of the straps  20  to fastening pads  19  may be a hook and loop fastening arrangement, although it is conceivable that straps  20  may be paired with adjacent opposing straps substituted for the fastening pads and then tied together, or metal hooks at the distal ends of the straps  20  may be paired with grommets sewn into the adjacent position of an opposite drape panel. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and  6 , a series of darts and pleats  14  create a curvature of the rear drapes  6 ′,  8 ′ suited to the form fitting of the rear quadrant of a horse covering the croup, hind quarters and buttocks of the animal. The two piece rear drape  6 ′ is positioned by joining the two panels by fastening strap fastener  20  above the arcuate opening to the fastening pad  19  adjacent and placing the now conjoined panels forming a drape over the rear quadrant of the horse where the horses tail may be easily guided through the full length slit between the two panels; straps  18  are brought up and over the horse to encircle the animal&#39;s chest and the distal ends secured by using hook and loop fasteners or simply tying the ends together. 
     One alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  has a one-piece rear drape  8 ′ with a single panel  13  having a slit terminating into a circular opening  17  for the passing through of a tail. One way of applying the one-piece rear drape  8 ′ to the rear quadrant of a horse is to lift the horse tail over and into the slit and circular opening  17 , fasten strap fastener  20  positioned above the slit to the fastening pad  19  adjacent and pull strap pair  18  up and over the horse&#39;s chest and securing the distal ends using hook and loop fasteners or simply by tying the ends together. The portion of slit  12   c  inferior to the horse tail is secured from flapping by fastening the multiple strap fasteners  20  to the opposing fastening pads  19  along the length of the slit. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7 - 9 ; mane drapes  7 ′,  9 ′,  10 ′ may be positioned upon the horse by first placing connecting the two panels with the hook and eye fasteners on that portion of the panels over the forelock while passing the ears through the ear apertures, or in the case of mane drape  11 ′, using the opposing ties on that portion of the panels over the forelock. Standing to one side of the animal, first one panel edge is brought adjacent to the horse mane and then the opposing panel so that the mane protrudes from the opening between the panels. The panels are joined by fastening straps at the terminus of the mane at the base of the neck and in front of the neck. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view showing a preferred embodiment having a mane drape  7 ′ in two parts  22 L,  22 R that when brought together, form a slit-shaped longitudinal opening for the passing through of a mane so that the mane is selectively exposed. Openings  24   a  are for the passing through of the ears. A series of paired eye-hooks  26   b  and loops  26   a  are provide for the joining of that portion of the drape residing atop the forelock. While eye-hooks and loops are the preferred means of joining the two portions, it is conceivable that opposite ties and straps with Velcro® type fasteners can be the means for joining. 
       FIG. 4  shows the underside of  FIG. 3  showing two absorbent pads  28  attached lengthwise along the underside edge forming the slit-shaped longitudinal opening that are in communication with the base of the horse mane for the absorption of excess liquid substance. While preferably, the absorbent pads are thin; less than one-half inch so as not the raise the panels off of the area adjacent to the mane, are made of foam and are sewn or glued onto the underside of the drape as shown, it is conceivable that the draping panels may be entirely multi-layered; a top layer being a chemically resistant fabric such as the chemical resistant smocks used in hair care salons, and a bottom layer of absorbent material such as polyurethane foam. In either case, excess liquid substance is wicked from the base of a horse&#39;s mane or tail isolating the adjacent coat from unwanted treatment substance. 
       FIG. 5  shows the system of drapes in position on a horse in what would be a typical use showing the strap pair  18  being attached to one another encircling the horse&#39;s chest. Shown also are the hook and loop strap fasteners  20  to fastening pads  19  for securing the two piece mane drape about the horse&#39;s neck and the ear openings  24   a  for the passing through of the ears. 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternate embodiment having a mane drape  9 ′ in two parts  23 L,  23 R with arcuate openings  24   b  to accommodate a horse&#39;s ears, the arcuate opening  25  being closed by straps with hook and loop fasteners  19 ,  20 . A series of paired eye-hooks  26   b  and loops  26   a  are provide for the joining of that portion of the drape residing atop the forelock. 
       FIG. 8  shows yet another alternate embodiment having a mane drape  10 ′ in two parts  24 L,  24 R with annular ear openings with an elastic gathered periphery  24   c . A series of paired eye-hooks  26   b  and loops  26   a  are provide for the joining of that portion of the drape residing atop the forelock. 
       FIG. 9  shows a yet another embodiment having a mane drape  11 ′ in two parts  25 L,  25 R being constructed of die cut disposable sheet plastic with self straps  29 . 
     The following is given as a non-limiting example illustrating a preferred manner of use of the present invention in the application of a cosmetic (coloring) treatment to a horse tail and mane: 
     Example 1 
     
         
         1) apply and secure the specific drape to the mane and tail areas of a horse exposing those areas requiring treatment; 
         2) mix colorant with a volume of peroxide following colorant manufacturer directions; 
         3) apply colorant with coloring brush; 
         4) after applying colorant evenly, use a grooming comb to distribute color throughout the hair; 
         5) leave colorant to set following times recommended by colorant manufacturer; 
         6) rinse hair with water followed by shampoo; 
         7) apply conditioner and rinse with water; 
         8) remove drape from the mane and tail areas of the horse. 
       
    
     The following is given as a non-limiting example illustrating a preferred manner of use of the present invention in the application of a powdered medicament to a horse tail and mane: 
     Example 2 
     
         
         1) apply and secure the specific drape to the mane and tail areas of a horse exposing those areas requiring treatment; 
         2) apply powdered medicament to exposed tail and mane; 
         3) allow the medicament to set following times recommended by manufacturer; 
         4) remove drape from the mane and tail areas of the horse. 
       
    
     The following is given as a non-limiting example illustrating a preferred manner of use of the present invention in the application of a liquid medicament to a horse tail and mane: 
     Example 3 
     
         
         1) apply and secure the specific drape to the mane and tail areas of a horse exposing those areas requiring treatment; 
         2) apply liquid medicament to exposed tail and mane with a grooming comb to distribute evenly throughout the hair; 
         3) allow the medicament to set following times recommended by manufacturer; 
         4) remove drape from the mane and tail areas of the horse. 
       
    
     The aforementioned description and examples given are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, combinations and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.