Patent Publication Number: US-2009217887-A1

Title: Horse calming device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a device for calming a horse. The present invention has particular, although not exclusive application to horses that are required to be transported and horses prior to competing, such as racehorses and show jumpers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As is well-known, loading horses into a float or other transport arrangement can be both dangerous and difficult. Many horses baulk at approaching such devices, especially where they are associated with previous bad experiences. Often the horse will rear and back out causing injury to person and horse alike. 
     Another example of a dangerous situation is that which arises when attempting to load a racehorse into a starting gate prior to a race. Racehorses are generally quite temperamental and invariably become difficult to handle in that situation. Blinkers or blinders can be used to make a horse more tractable during a race by limiting the horse&#39;s peripheral vision. However, these devices are not effective in lowering stress levels when handling horses or loading them into a starting gate. When loading into a starting gate, the horse, handler and the jockey can be seriously injured. At the least, the horse and the jockey can become stressed resulting in a poor performance during the race. Given the large amounts of money associated with the outcomes of such races, it is highly undesirable that both horse and rider be even slightly distracted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for calming a horse, the device including
         a cover, the cover being configured to be mounted on a horse&#39;s head so that the cover at least limits the horse&#39;s central, side and upper vision and allows the horse to view its front hooves relative to the ground.       

     It is thus an advantage of the present invention to provide a device for calming horses, particularly prior to competing or transport. The horse is calmed since its view of a feared object such as a starting gate or float is restricted. 
     The cover may include a vision limiter that is shaped so that when the cover is mounted on the horse&#39;s head, the limiter serves to at least limit the central, side and upper vision. The limiter may further be shaped so that a gap is defined between sides of the limiter and the horse&#39;s head to allow the horse the view its front hooves relative to the ground. 
     An image may be arranged on an inner surface of the vision limiter so that the image is visible to the horse when the cover is mounted on the horse&#39;s head. 
     The cover may include a lighting assembly mounted with respect to the vision limiter to light the image and enhance its visibility to the horse. The lighting assembly may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) mounted on the inner surface of the vision limiter and a power supply connected to the, or each, LED. 
     The cover may include a fastening arrangement that is engageable with at least the horse&#39;s head to fasten the vision limiter to the horse&#39;s head in a releasable manner. The fastening arrangement may be in the form of at least one strap for strapping the vision limiter to the horse&#39;s head. The fastening arrangement may include a muzzle strap for passing beneath the horse&#39;s muzzle to strap the vision limiter to the horse&#39;s muzzle. The fastening arrangement may include a lateral strap for passing around the horse&#39;s head behind the horse&#39;s ears. The fastening arrangement may include a top strap that is fastenable between the vision limiter and the lateral strap such that it passes between the ears of the horse. 
     The, or each, strap may be fixed at one end to the vision limiter while an opposite end carries a releasable fastening means. 
     The cover may include a handle to facilitate removal and replacement of the cover. 
     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of calming a horse, the method including the step of mounting the device described above on a horse&#39;s head so that the cover limits the horse&#39;s central, side and upper vision and allows the horse to view its front hooves relative to the ground. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for calming a horse, the device including
         a vision limiter that is mountable on a horse&#39;s head, the vision limiter being shaped and dimensioned so that when mounted on the horse&#39;s head, the vision limiter at least limits the horse&#39;s central, side and upper vision and allows the horse to view its front hooves relative to the ground; and   a fastening arrangement for fastening the vision limiter to the horse&#39;s head in a releasable manner.       

     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for calming a horse, the device being mountable on a horse&#39;s head and including a vision limiter for limiting the horse&#39;s central, side and upper peripheral vision, when mounted, and for allowing the horse to view its front hooves and/or the ground, to calm the horse. The vision limiter prevents the horse from viewing feared objects ahead such as floats, trailers or barrier stalls. In addition, the horse can see the ground and can still walk forward into the barrier stalls or on to a trailer or float. 
     Preferably, the limiter is opaque. 
     The limiter may include a front panel that is positioned in front of the horse&#39;s eyes when the device is mounted. The front panel may define a recess for engaging with the muzzle of the horse. The front panel may carry an image for the horse to view. The image may be a photograph of a tranquil image such as, for example, blue skies or green pastures. This creates an illusion whereby the horse thinks he/she is walking into a paddock or other desirable area and not towards a feared object. The device may further include a light for illuminating the image. 
     The limiter may include a pair of side panels located on either side of the front panel for engaging with the horse&#39;s head. Each side panel may be fast with the front panel. 
     The limiter may include a roof panel for limiting the horse&#39;s upper peripheral vision. The device may include a handle which is fast with the roof to facilitate manipulation of the device. 
     The device may further include fastening means for fastening the limiter to the horse&#39;s head. The fastening means may include one or more straps for strapping the limiter to the horse&#39;s head. The one or more straps may include a muzzle strap for passing beneath the horse&#39;s muzzle thereby to strap the limiter to the horse&#39;s muzzle. The one or more straps may include a lateral strap for passing around the horse&#39;s head behind the horse&#39;s ears. The device may further include an arm for fastening between the lateral strap and a roof of the limiter to impede the limiter from slipping forward along the horse&#39;s muzzle. 
     Each strap may be releasably fastenable to the limiter using a hook-and-loop fastening arrangement. Alternatively, each strap may be permanently fixed to the limiter and may include a resiliently extensible band. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headdress for a horse, the headdress including a vision limiter for limiting the horse&#39;s central vision. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for calming a horse, the method including the step of:
         limiting the horse&#39;s central vision to thereby calm the horse.       

     The step of limiting may involve displaying an image for the horse to view. This step may include displaying a tranquil image. 
     The method may further involve the step of fastening a limiter to the horse&#39;s head. The step of fastening may involve strapping the limiter to the horse&#39;s head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, for calming a horse, shown mounted on a horse&#39;s head. 
         FIG. 2  is an inner rear view of a vision limiter of the device. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the device. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the device. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of a vision limiter for a device, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, for calming a horse, the vision limiter being in its unassembled state. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the device fastened to the head of a horse. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear view of the device fastened to the head of a horse. 
         FIG. 9  is a front end view of the device fastened to the head of a horse. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the drawings, reference numeral  10  generally indicates a device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, for calming a horse. 
     The device  10  includes a cover  12  that is configured to be mounted on a horse&#39;s head  14  so that the cover  12  limits the horse&#39;s central, side and upper vision. 
     The cover  12  includes a vision limiter  16  that is shaped and dimensioned so that when the cover  12  is mounted on the horse&#39;s head  14 , the limiter  16  serves to block the horse&#39;s central, side and upper vision. In particular, the vision limiter  16  is shaped to curve around a muzzle  18  and frontal portion  20  of the head  14 . The vision limiter  16  is also shaped so that a gap  22  is defined between sides  24  of the limiter  16  and the head  14  including part of the muzzle  18 . 
     The vision limiter  16  is shaped so the horse can see through the gap  22  to view its front hooves relative to the ground. Thus, when the cover  12  is mounted on the head  14 , the horse is able to orient itself correctly. This provides a sense of security to the horse. 
     An image  26  is arranged on an inner surface of the limiter  16 . The image  26  can be selected to be one which would provide a calming influence to the horse. For example, the image  26  can be of an area familiar to the horse. Instead, for the purposes of training, the image  26  can be of an area which usually causes anxiety, such as a horse float or starting gate. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a lighting assembly  28  is mounted on the vision limiter  16  to illuminate the image  26 . The lighting assembly  28  includes a pair of light emitting diode (LED) devices  30  directed onto the image. Applicant has found that this arrangement imparts a visual depth to the image, thereby enhancing its reality as far as the horse is concerned. 
     An LED power supply  32  ( FIG. 2 ) is mounted on the limiter  16 , between the LED devices  30 . 
     The vision limiter  16  has a frontal panel  34  ( FIG. 3 ) that terminates in a muzzle band  36  that rests on the horse&#39;s muzzle  18 . 
     The cover  12  includes a fastening arrangement  38  for fastening the limiter  16  to the horse&#39;s head  14 . 
     The fastening arrangement  38  includes a muzzle strap  40  with one end fastened to one side of the muzzle band  36  and the other end being fastenable, in a releasable manner, to the other side of the muzzle band  36 . For that purpose, said other side of the muzzle band  36  and said other end of the muzzle strap  40  have complementary sections  41  of a hook-and-loop fastener, known as Velcro™. Thus, when the cover  12  is in position, the muzzle strap  40  is passed around the muzzle  18  to fasten the cover  12  in position. 
     The fastening arrangement  38  includes a lateral strap  42 . One end of the lateral strap  42  is fast with one of the sides  24  of the vision limiter  16 . The other end of the lateral strap  42  and the other side  24  of the limiter  16  have complementary sections  43  of a hook-and-loop fastener, known as Velcro™. Thus, when the cover  12  is in position, the lateral strap  42  is passed behind the horse&#39;s ears  44  and fastened to the limiter  16  further to fasten the cover  12  in position. 
     The fastening arrangement  38  includes a top strap  46 . One end of the top strap  46  is fast with the vision limiter  16 . The other end of the top strap  46  and a portion of the lateral strap  42 , intermediate its ends, have complementary sections  45  of a hook-and-loop fastener, known as Velcro™. Thus, when the cover  12  is in position, the top strap  42  is passed between the horse&#39;s ears  44  and fastened to the lateral strap  42  further to fasten the cover  12  in position. 
     The cover  12  includes a handle  48  positioned so that a person can readily remove and replace the cover  12 . The handle  48  is particularly useful for removing the cover  12  once the horse is in a starting gate, for example, before a race. 
     In  FIGS. 6 to 9 , reference numeral  50  generally indicates a device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, for calming a horse. With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise specified. 
     The device  50  has a vision limiter  51 . In  FIG. 6 , the vision limiter  51  is in a substantially planar and unassembled state. The limiter  51  includes a screen  52  for limiting the horse&#39;s central vision and a pair of lateral visors  54 ,  56  which each extend from a respective side of the screen  52  to limit the horse&#39;s side peripheral vision. The vision limiter  51  further includes a roof  58  for limiting the horse&#39;s upper peripheral vision. The vision limiter  51  is integrally formed from opaque plastics material, and the visors  54 ,  56  and roof  58  can each be readily bent with respect to the screen  52 . Opposite sides of the roof  58  can be fast with each lateral visor  54 ,  56  when assembling the vision limiter  51  for use. 
     In use, the screen  52  is located in register with the horse&#39;s eyes. The screen  52  defines a recess  60  at its lower edge for receiving the muzzle  18  of the horse. The screen  52  includes a removable image for the horse to view (not shown). The image may be a photograph of a tranquil setting such as, for example, a panorama with which the horse is familiar. The image may include blue skies and/or green pastures. The Applicant has found that these images have a soothing and calming effect on the horse. A light  62  for illuminating the image may be fastened to the roof  58  of the vision limiter  51 . 
     Applicant has found that the light serves to enhance a perception of distance for the horse and is useful for viewing the photograph when the horse is in darkness, whether early in the morning or at night. 
     The front lower corner of each visor  54 ,  56  includes a muzzle strap fastener  64  to which a muzzle strap  66  can be fastened. Similarly, the rear lower portion of each visor  54 ,  56  includes a lateral strap fastener  68  to which a lateral strap  70  can be fastened. Each fastener  64 ,  68  is effectively half of a loop-and-hook fastening arrangement (e.g. Velcro™) with the other half being a complementary part which is provided at an end of the corresponding strap  66 ,  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the vision limiter  51  can be fastened to the horse&#39;s head  14  as shown with the muzzle strap  66 , the lateral strap  68 , and a top strap  72 . The muzzle strap  66  passes beneath the horse&#39;s muzzle  18  and engages with each muzzle strap fastener  64  to strap the limiter  51  to the horse&#39;s muzzle  18 . The muzzle strap  66  impedes the limiter  51  from lifting from the horse&#39;s muzzle  18  in use. The lateral strap  68  extends from either side of the horse&#39;s head  14  and behind the horse&#39;s ears  44 . The lateral strap  68  engages the lateral strap fasteners  68  to impede the limiter  51  from sliding down and along the horse&#39;s muzzle  26 . Each strap  66 ,  70  may be resiliently extensible. Alternatively, each strap  66 ,  70  may be inextensible. 
     As can best be seen in  FIG. 8 , the lateral strap  70  includes a top strap fastener  74  for fixedly engaging with a complementary fastener (not shown) at an end of the top strap  72 . The other end of the top strap  72  can be fixedly attached to the roof  58  of the limiter  51 . In this manner, the top strap  72  further serves to impede the limiter  51  from slipping along the horse&#39;s muzzle  18 . The top strap  72  may be fastened to the lateral strap  70  and roof  58  using a hook-and-loop fastener arrangement. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the horse&#39;s central (i.e. direct) vision is substantially limited by the vision limiter  51 . However, the vision limiter  51  is sized so that the horse&#39;s lower peripheral (i.e. indirect) vision is not limited and so that the horse can see the ground. In this manner, the horse can be readily led by a handler whilst wearing the limiter  51 . The horse remains quite calm whilst the central vision is limited and is not distracted by events in the horse&#39;s central vision. Furthermore, the tranquil photographic image provided as part of the screen  52  also serves to calm the horse. 
     A method for conditioning the horse to be calm around feared objects, using the limiter  16 ,  51  of both embodiments, is now described. The handler may take a photograph of an object which the horse fears such as the horse&#39;s float or trailer, a racing barrier, or a tractor. The photograph may be fastened to the inner surface of the limiter  16 ,  51  using five pieces of adhesive tape or other material (e.g. Bluetack™), whereby one piece is located at each corner of the photograph and another piece is located in the centre of the photograph. Periodically exposing the horse to this image when the horse is in safe surrounds will serve to condition the horse not to fear the object in the photograph over time. That is, the horse can be made routinely to wear the limiter  16 ,  51  and will become familiar with the object which, in turn, removes the horse&#39;s fear of that object. 
     A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention. 
     In the preferred embodiments, the device  10 ,  50  is configured to be worn on the horse&#39;s head  14 . In an alternative embodiment, the limiter  16 ,  51  can instead be fastened to a horse float or racing barrier. 
     Applicant believes that the device  10 ,  50  provides an effective manner of calming a horse, particularly prior to transportation and competition, such as horseracing. As is well known in horseracing, a difference between a win and a loss can amount to mere fractions of a second. It follows that any advantage, such as a calm horse, can make the difference between winning and losing. Given the amounts of money involved, a calm horse prior to a horserace is highly desirable. 
     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.