Abstract:
Instant invention relates to a modular saddle tree for a riding saddle with a gullet plate comprising a gullet plate element and a shank, wherein a supporting element is attached to the shank of the gullet plate by means of a fastening device, particularly moveably supported, a saddle comprising the modular saddle tree according to the invention, a shank comprising a fastening device for a supporting element and a supporting element as well, and a gullet plate comprising a gullet plate element and a shank according to the invention.

Description:
TECHNICAL AREA AND STATE OF THE ART 
       [0001]    Instant invention relates to a modular saddle tree for a riding saddle with a gullet plate comprising a gullet plate element and a shank, wherein a supporting element is attached to the shank of the gullet plate by means of a fastening device, particularly moveably supported, a saddle comprising the modular saddle tree according to the invention, a shank comprising a fastening device for a supporting element and a supporting element as well, and a gullet plate comprising a gullet plate element and a shank according to the invention. 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  shows a saddle tree according to the state of the art. Many riding saddles have a saddle tree  10  with a side-cut  14 , which extends between a pommel  12  facing the head of the animal, also known as fork or saddle head, and a cantle  13 . The pommel  12  generally comprises two points  15  that extend downwards like wings. For reinforcement, a brace that extends into the points  15 , is frequently associated with the pommel  12 , which is commonly known as gullet plate. The gullet plate  30  generally comprises two shanks  24 , which are attached to the connecting element  16  by means of a U-shaped connecting element  16  of the gullet plate  30  that is arranged in the centre, i.e., the shanks  24  extend from the connecting element  16  essentially in the downward direction and terminate in the shank ends  21 . The gullet plates  30  known from the state of the art are thus designed in one piece comprising a connecting element  16  and shank  24 , in order to ensure the desired reinforcement for the front part of the saddle tree  10 . In addition, many saddle trees have two longitudinal bars  17 , that extend from the pommel  12  to the cantle  13 . The seating area  11  of a saddle extends between the pommel  12  and the cantle  13  and may have a side-cut  14 . Saddles having such a saddle tree are widely used because they are stable and provide excellent functionality in terms of steering, footing, stability and close contact between the horse and the rider. 
         [0003]    Optimising the saddle to anatomically fit the horse and the rider is basically one of the main challenges for the saddler. A particularly difficult aspect while manufacturing saddles with a saddle tree and gullet plate is in ensuring the freedom of movement for the spine, flexing of muscles and shoulder movements near the forelegs of the animal by optimally adjusting the saddle without adversely affecting the above mentioned functional characteristics of the saddle in the process. A specific problem associated with this is that the animal undergoes certain anatomical changes over time, e.g., due to muscular development or atrophies, that may be caused by growth, exercise or improper loading. The original fit of the saddle is lost because of this, it results in improper loading and leads to health problems and/or loss of performance of the animal. Since the thoracic spine of the horse has 18 thoracic vertebrae and has cartilaginous dorsal processes near the withers that lie just below the skin, these can be severely aggravated if the saddle does not fit properly leading to health problems and significantly hinder the freedom of movement of the horse. This especially relates to the area of the trapezius. 
         [0004]    It is therefore desirable to be able to flexibly adjust the fit to the anatomy of the horse in a cost-effective and simple manner even in case of high quality saddles in order to prevent detrimental effects on the health of the animal or to counteract them at an early stage and it is desirable to adjust the fit to the anatomy of the horse from the area of the dorsal processes downwards including the trapezius. Although the skilled person has been aware of these problems for a long time and many proposals have already been made for (partly) solving these problems, something still needs to be done because the relevant sections of the known saddles and saddle trees cannot be modified without considerable effort or loss of stability due to their structural design. In case of the known saddle trees, the shanks on the gullet plate cannot be modified after fabricating the saddle anyway because the shanks and gullet plate are usually forged into one piece and the shanks are generally attached to the saddle or the saddle tree and cannot be accessed. 
         [0005]    Even in case of known saddle trees having multi-piece gullet plates, a lot of manual work is required in the saddle structure to make the necessary adjustments. In case of the known saddle trees, adjustments are mostly made to the points or the shank ends as well as the gullet width. However, finer adjustments are often required for fitting the saddle optimally, which for example, relate to the areas of the trapezius or the shoulder axis of the animal. 
         [0006]    In case of the saddle trees without a gullet plate known to the state of the art, it is often intended to design the saddle tree to be very flexible. However, the known saddle trees without a gullet plate have the disadvantage that they do not exhibit the desired carrying or supporting force required for a saddle tree, due to the reduced supporting surface. 
         [0007]    Hence DE 202010010215 U1 shows a saddle tree having a variable gullet width, where the shanks are adjustably connected to the gullet plate by means of pivoting sleeves on a common pivoting axis. The disadvantage of the disclosed gullet plate-like design is that the multi-piece pivoting sleeve is difficult to manufacture and requires a lot of space. DE 202012101416 U1 shows a saddle tree with a fixture for the seating area having two hinges respectively on each shank, which can pivot in two different directions. DE 102011051014 A1 shows a saddle tree with gullet plate with tips offset backwards and designed to swing. The arch shape of the tips has to be specifically adjusted to the amount of movement of the shoulder blade of the horse by customising it. EP 1785390 A1 shows a saddle with a gullet plate, having gullet plate ends provided on the shank ends that taper off broadly and curve backwards, and can be detached at the ends of the gullet plate shanks. The gullet plate ends that points backwards form a contact surface that is not in the same plane as the gullet plate shank. 
         [0008]    Finally, DE 19956405 C2 shows a saddle having a gullet plate, whose ends are connected to openings of the gullet plate by means of fastening devices, such that they are detachably connected. 
       PROBLEM AND SOLUTION 
       [0009]    Therefore, it is the general objective of instant invention to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art, thereby avoiding a complete re-fabrication of the gullet plate or saddle tree, in order to make the necessary adjustments to the saddle based on the change in anatomy of the animal. To eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages of the state of the art, instant invention provides a solution with the features mentioned in the claims by providing a saddle tree that allows these adjustments and modifications to be carried out cost-effectively and with comparatively less effort, especially if adjustments are required not only at the points, but for example, even in the areas beyond it, especially the area of the shoulder muscles and the foreleg of the animal. According to the underlying problem, the high stability of the gullet plate and the entire saddle tree along with its elements should be ensured despite the variability of the gullet plate in order to adequately guarantee the supporting function of the saddle tree. In addition, the advantages mentioned according to the invention with regards to the improved fit of the saddle tree, especially when the animal is moving, are retained. This combination of problems is resolved by the objects of the independent patent claims in terms of their features. Further advantageous developments and improvements are mentioned in the depending claims. 
         [0010]    Unless specified otherwise, all information pertaining to the direction, orientation or similar information concerning the arrangement or orientation of the saddle elements or their relative position to one another according to the invention, are based on the normal seating position of the rider when the saddle is being used for the intended purpose. The longitudinal direction and the transverse direction are also shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0011]    Thus, a first object of the invention is a modular saddle tree for a riding saddle having a gullet plate, wherein the gullet plate comprises
   a) a gullet plate element and   b) a shank with a supporting element, characterised in that   c) the supporting element is attached to the said shank of the gullet plate by means of a fastening device, preferably in a flexible manner, in particular moveably mounted, wherein the said supporting element is even more preferred reversibly detachable mounted and, optionally, is fixed or reversibly detachably fixed. In another embodiment of the saddle tree according to the invention, the shank is detachably fixed to the gullet plate element by means of a first mounting fixture, preferably reversibly detachably fixed. In an alternative embodiment of the saddle tree according to the invention, the gullet plate is designed with a crank. In yet another alternative embodiment of the saddle tree according to the invention, it also comprises a stirrup bar, which is fixed to the saddle tree independent of the shank, preferably detachably fixed by means of a second mounting fixture, optionally reversibly detachably, preferably adjustable, to vary at least one angle between the stirrup bar and the shank.   
 
         [0015]    In yet another alternative embodiment of the saddle tree according to the invention, the shank and stirrup bar are designed as one-piece. Optionally, the shanks and/or the stirrup bars are fixed using a damping means in the saddle tree according to the invention. 
         [0016]    The term “gullet plate” according to instant invention means a one-piece or multi-piece gullet plate comprising a gullet plate element, which is designed as an arc or U-shaped, and one or more shanks and, optionally, bracing elements to reinforce the saddle tree. The elements of the gullet plate are generally made from metal, plastic, or composites reinforced with glass fibre or carbon fibre or other materials suitable for this purpose and adapted to the shape of the gullet curvature. The gullet plate generally tapers away from the withers towards outside, wing-like to the right and left sides of the animal, in a more or less symmetrical manner going downwards and in one embodiment of the invention, optionally comprises the shanks up to the points. 
         [0017]    The gullet plate up to the casting that is including the shank is mostly forged throughout the section that is facing downwards, provided it is made of metal.
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the gullet plate, resp., the gullet plate element is attached to the side of the horse, i.e., to the inner side of the saddle tree.   
 
         [0019]    According to the invention, the gullet plate element and shank may be made from the same or different materials. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the gullet plate element and shank are made from different materials, especially materials having different bending strengths or different modulus of elasticity, preferably, the shank is made from a material having a lower absolute value of the bending strength compared to the gullet plate element, e.g., a relatively rigid forged or casted part made of spring steel or the like. The shanks may be made from a material that is more elastic than the gullet plate element, like for example, spring steel, titanium, composites reinforced with carbon fibre. The shank ends can be made from the above mentioned materials or an elastically deformable material. According to the invention, the “upper area of the gullet plate” means the area that preferably comprises the upper 80% of the gullet plate, more preferably the upper 65% and even more preferably the upper 50%, related to the spatial dimensions of the entire gullet plate, i.e., of the gullet plate element and the shank. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment of the invention, the term “shank” means a part section of the gullet plate, which essentially comprises its entire segment that is facing downwards. In this case, the shank comprises about 20 to 40% (w/w), preferably about 30 to 40% (w/w), more preferably about 35 to 40% (w/w) of the entire gullet plate 30. Especially about 20 to 40%, preferably 30 to 40%, more preferably 35 to 40% of the length of the gullet plate is encompassed starting from the shank end. 
         [0021]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first mounting fixture is arranged in the upper section of the gullet plate. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the transition area from the gullet plate element to the shank has a cranked design. 
         [0023]    According to the invention, the term “supporting element” means an element that is connected to a shank of the gullet plate of the saddle tree by means of a fastening device, which is attached to the shank of the gullet plate, preferably in a flexible manner, in particular free moveably mounted, and even more preferred reversibly detachable mounted. According to the invention, the term “supporting element” hence means an element that is indirectly connected to the saddle tree via the gullet plate, which extends the load bearing supporting surface of the saddle tree, also ensures this when the animal is moving and especially is arranged in the area of the trapezius. The supporting element may be provided in the area of the points, so that, when the saddle tree is used properly, it comes into contact with the horse directly or via a padding attached to the supporting element. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting element extends from the padding line till the points. A supporting element arranged such that it is reversibly detachable provides the advantage that the supporting surface can be replaced and flexibly adapted to the anatomy of the horse. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the invention, the supporting element is exclusively attached to the shank of the gullet plate by means of the fastening device such that it can move freely, in order to allow it to be flexibly adapted to the anatomy of the animal with maximum possible freedom of movement for the animal&#39;s muscles. In another embodiment, the supporting element is essentially positioned in the centre with relation to the shank. In another embodiment, the supporting element is attached to the shank by means of one or more attachment points, or by means of a U-shaped support. 
         [0025]    According to the invention, the shape and position of the shank and the shape and position of the supporting element, allow the adjustment of the fit of the saddle tree to the contour of the horse or the anatomy of the horse. 
         [0026]    In this respect, the supporting element is preferably proximally attached to the shank according to the invention, i.e., on the side facing the horse. The fastening device for fixing the supporting element to the shank is essentially positioned above the shank end. In another embodiment of the invention, the supporting element is designed wider than the shank of the gullet plate, in order to achieve the maximum possible surface contact of the supporting element on the horse, whereby the supporting element may be 1.5 to 5 times the width of the shank in relation to its supporting surface. In another embodiment of the invention, the supporting element with its longest side is essentially aligned in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shank that is essentially facing downwards. In another embodiment of the invention, the gullet plate element is not attached to the side facing the horse and the supporting element is attached to the side facing the horse. 
         [0027]    According to instant invention, the term “fastening device” means all the connecting means known to the skilled person and suitable for the purposes of the invention, preferably force-fit and positive-fit connecting means, which are suitable for connecting the elements to be joined according to the invention. This also includes plugging, locking, screwing or clamping or clipping means, which are optionally designed as variable fixtures and are suitably provided for the appropriate openings, holes, guides, locking elements, grooves, riveted joints, pins, stays or screw threads, screws, nuts, clips, springs, teeth of the respective mounting fixture, which for example, can be designed as a slide bar, a connecting fixture that can be eccentrically turned and adjusted, a perforated plate or bar, an end face having teeth or in any other manner known to the skilled person. Optionally, the fastening device according to the invention may comprise a damping means. 
         [0028]    The fastening device according to the invention may comprise an elastic material which is connected to the respective shank on one side and the supporting element on the other side via an adhesive joint. Foam, rubber, elastic plastic (elastomers) or other suitable materials that are reversibly deformable may be used as the elastic material. 
         [0029]    In addition, the fastening device can be supplemented by other known types of fastening means, e.g., by means of a screw connection in order to essentially use the elastic material as a damping means which is used for damping the movement between shank and supporting element. Without an additional fastening device, a fastening means made of elastic material serves to fix the supporting element to the shank and also in damping the movement of the supporting element on the shank. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening device is arranged in the upper section of the gullet plate. 
         [0031]    According to the invention means “reversibly detachable connected”, resp., “reversibly detachable fixed” preferably that elements, optionally firmly connected to each other, can be separated, resp., detached without destroying them, optionally with the exception of any single-use fastening means like rivets, snap connectors etc. 
         [0032]    According to the invention, the term “first mounting fixture” preferably means any positive-fit or force-fit fixture known to the skilled person, which is suitable for reversibly detaching and fixing the elements to be joined according to the invention. This preferably comprises one or more materials, like e.g., metal, plastic or composites reinforced with glass fibre or carbon fibre or other materials known to the skilled person which are suitable and may in a preferred embodiment of the invention be designed as part of the element to be connected. Plugging, screwing or clamping fixtures may be suitable for this purpose, which are designed as variable fixtures and have appropriate opening, holes, guides, locking elements, grooves, pins, stays, clamps or screw threads. The first mounting fixture can hence be designed, for e.g., as a slide bar, a connecting fixture that can be eccentrically turned and adjusted, a perforated plate or bar, an end face having teeth or in any other manner known to the skilled person. 
         [0033]    In another embodiment of the invention, the first mounting fixture  20  is roughly located in the area of the padding line (not shown) of the saddle tree. The reversibly detachable fixing of the shank on the gullet plate element by means of the first mounting fixture provides the advantage that the shank can be replaced and flexibly adapted to the anatomy of the horse. 
         [0034]    According to the invention the terms “crank”, “cranking at right angles” or “cranked design” preferably means an offset on a component. 
         [0035]    According to the invention the term “stirrup bar” preferably means a saddle element, which is used for supporting the stirrup mount. In one of the embodiment of the invention, the stirrup bar is directly or indirectly connected to the saddle tree and/or the gullet plate via other saddle or saddle tree components. In one embodiment of the invention, the stirrup bar is not directly connected to the shank and in an alternative embodiment of the invention, it is directly connected to the shank. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the stirrup bar is designed as one-piece with the shank. The stirrup bars can be attached to the saddle tree via the said second mounting fixture and/or on the gullet plate via the first mounting fixture. 
         [0036]    In another embodiment of the invention, the shank and stirrup bar are designed as one piece. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the shank and/or stirrup bar are reversibly detachable fixed by means of a suitable fastening device and/or damping means. 
         [0037]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, the said first and/or second mounting fixture  20 ,  22  is provided for variably adjusting at least one angle between the stirrup bar  18  and the shank  24 . According to the invention, the term “angle between the stirrup bar and shank” preferably means any possible angle with respect to the three spatial axes. Adjustment options may be required to fit the elements to be modified according to the invention, to the gullet shape of the animal in all the spatial directions. 
         [0038]    Preferably, in one of the embodiment of the invention, the said mounting fixture allows variable adjustment of two angles between the stirrup bar  18  and the shank  24 . 
         [0039]    According to the invention, the term “longitudinal bar” preferably means an additional strut member of the saddle tree, which essentially extends backwards parallel to the spinal column of the animal, preferably in the form of a bar or strip. In one embodiment of the invention the longitudinal bar is connected to the gullet plate. 
         [0040]    According to the invention, the term “second mounting fixture” preferably means any positive-fit or force-fit fixture, which is suitable for mounting, resp., reversibly detaching and fixing the elements to be joined according to the invention. This preferably comprises one or more materials like metal, plastic or composites reinforced with glass fibre or carbon fibre or any other materials that are suitable and known to the skilled person for saddle trees, gullet plates or stirrup bars. This also includes plugging, screwing or clamping fixtures, which are optionally designed as variable fixtures and have appropriate openings, holes, guides, locking elements, grooves, pins, stays, clamps or screw threads. The second mounting fixture can hence be designed, e.g., as a slide bar, a connection that can be eccentrically turned and adjusted, a perforated plate or bar, an end face having teeth or in any other manner known to the skilled person. In another embodiment of the invention, the said second mounting fixture is suitable for fixing the elements to be attached according to the invention by means of one or more suitable fastening means. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second mounting fixture comprises a damping means. 
         [0041]    According to the invention, the term “damping means” preferably means any suitable means for the skilled person, for fixing, i.e., to flexibly mount an element to be fixed according to the invention, i.e., to elastically design the fixing point. 
         [0042]    Examples of damping means are spring rings, spring bushes, spring washers or any suitable damping made of elastomers, like foam, rubber, cork or other suitable plastics or natural materials. 
         [0043]    In another embodiment of the invention, the saddle tree has two shanks, wherein a respective first mounting fixture is associated with each shank and the shanks are reversibly detachable fixed to the gullet plate element by means of the first mounting fixture. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment of the invention, the said mounting fixture can be functionally combined with the fastening device into one fixture such that the shank is simultaneously reversibly detachable fixed to the gullet plate element and the supporting element is flexibly and reversibly detachable attached to the shank. The combination of mounting fixture and fastening device can thus be provided with different versions of the shanks, such that the modular saddle tree becomes very variable. 
         [0045]    A second object of the invention is a riding saddle that comprises a saddle tree according to the invention. Preferably, the padding, cushioning, costumes and/or other coverings and seat covers are fitted such that all the fixable parts of the gullet plate that can be reversibly detached, are easily accessible, i.e., the access to the said fastening devices, the first and/or second mounting fixtures is guaranteed and thus the shank can be changed and/or adjusted according to the invention. 
         [0046]    A third object of the invention is a shank comprising a) a fastening device for a supporting element and b) a supporting element, preferably as defined according to the invention, more preferably for attaching to a first mounting fixture of a gullet plate element in a positive-fit and/or force-fit manner, preferably, wherein the shank is reversibly detachable fixed to the gullet plate element. 
         [0047]    According to the invention, the shank may optionally comprise additional components, e.g., a fastening device for a supporting element or a stirrup bar. 
         [0048]    And finally, a fourth object of the invention is a gullet plate comprising a) a gullet plate element and b) at least one shank as defined according to the invention, wherein the gullet plate is designed as one-piece or multi-piece. 
         [0049]    Some of the embodiments of the invention are described below and are illustrated schematically by means of the figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree having basic elements as known from the state of the art. 
           [0051]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements according to a second embodiment of the invention with a cranked shank. 
           [0053]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of a saddle tree according to  FIG. 2  of the invention having one gullet plate and supporting elements attached thereto. 
           [0054]      FIG. 4B  shows a front view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements attached to the gullet plate, wherein the gullet plate has an offset formed by overlapping. 
           [0055]      FIG. 4C  shows a front view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements attached to the gullet plate, wherein the gullet plate is designed with a crank. 
           [0056]      FIG. 4D  shows a front view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements attached to the gullet plate, wherein the gullet plate has S-shaped sections and the points form the supporting elements. 
           [0057]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements on the gullet plate according to  FIG. 4C . 
           [0058]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention, which is additionally reinforced by means of a cantle bar and longitudinal bars, each being connected to the shanks via respective second mounting fixtures. 
           [0059]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars are connected to a stirrup bar via respective second mounting fixtures. 
           [0060]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars are connected to a stirrup bar via respective second mounting fixtures and to the shanks via respective second mounting fixtures. 
           [0061]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of a saddle tree according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars are connected to a stirrup bar and the shank via respective second mounting fixtures. Additionally, the shanks have broadened shank ends. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0062]      FIG. 2  shows a first embodiment of the saddle tree  10  according to the invention. The saddle tree  10  has a seating area  11  with a side cut  14 , which extends between the pommel  12  that faces the head of the animal and a cantle  13 . For reinforcement, a gullet plate that extends into the points  15 , is associated with the pommel  12 . 
         [0063]    The gullet plate  30  comprises two shanks  24 , which are attached to the gullet plate element  16  by means of a U-shaped gullet plate element  16  of the gullet plate  30  that is provided in the centre, i.e., the shanks  24  extend from the gullet plate element  16  essentially inside the pommel  12  along the sides of the animal in the downward direction and terminate in the shank ends  21 . The gullet plates  30  are thus designed in one piece comprising a gullet plate element  16  and shank  24 , in order to ensure the desired reinforcement for the front part of the saddle tree  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , it is intended that the gullet plate  30  can be alternatively designed modularly, wherein a first mounting fixture  20  is provided between the gullet plate element  16  and the shank  24  in this case. The mounting fixture  20  allows the shank  24  to be reversibly detachable fixed to the gullet plate element  16 , in order to easily replace the shank  24  along with all the components on it. Thus, the shank  24  and the gullet plate element  16  can be combined with different rigidities, in order to individually adapt the flexibility of the pommel  12  on the saddle tree  10  by means of the gullet plate  30 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the saddle tree according to the invention having supporting elements  24   a.  The shanks  24  of the gullet plate  30  have a crank  34 . The crank  34  allows to guide the shank  24  of the gullet plate  30  from the inner part of the pommel  12  of the saddle tree  10  to the outside. The advantage of this is that the supporting elements  24   a  can align with the internal upper part of the pommel  12  and hence the space for the pommel  12  of the saddle tree  12  can be reduced. As shown in by example of  FIG. 2 , the supporting elements  24   a  can be flexibly attached to the shanks  24  of the gullet plate  30  by means of the fastening devices  28 . As shown further in  FIG. 3 , the supporting elements  24   a  can alternatively designed as points  15  that are independent from the saddle tree or arranged in the area of the points  15 , such that a larger contact area of the supporting element  24   a  is available, as shown in the arrangement in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of a saddle tree according to the invention. The pommel  12  and the gullet plate  30  are visible next to the cantle  13  and the seating surface  11 . The gullet plate  30  is designed as a single piece and comprises a gullet plate element  16 , shank  24  and shank ends  21 . The supporting elements  24   a  are attached to the shanks  24  by means of fastening devices  28 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 4B  shows another front view of a saddle tree according to the invention. The pommel  12  and the gullet plate  30  are visible next to the cantle  13  and seating surface  11 . The gullet plate  30  is shown as multi-piece and comprises a gullet plate element  16 , shank  24  and shank ends  21 . The supporting elements  24   a  are attached to the shanks  24  by means of fastening devices  28 . The multi-piece design of the gullet plate  30  has the advantage that a staggered arrangement of the supporting elements  24   a  is possible from an overlap  32  arising from an overlapping arrangement of the gullet plate element  16  and the shanks  24 . In this manner, the supporting elements  24   a  and the side of the gullet plate element  16  facing the horse can be aligned, i.e., arranged such that they are aligned in a line. This allows an optimal arrangement and fit of the saddle tree  10  on the horse. 
         [0067]      FIG. 4C  shows another front view of a saddle tree according to the invention and represents another embodiment of the saddle tree shown in  FIG. 4B . The aligned arrangement of the supporting elements  24   a  with the side of the gullet plate element  16  facing the horse is achieved in this case by a crank  34  of the gullet plate  30  designed as a single piece. 
         [0068]      FIG. 4D  shows another front view of a saddle tree according to the invention and represents an alternative of the saddle trees shown in  FIG. 4B and 4C . The crank is reduced in this embodiment and forms an S-shaped arc  36 . In addition, the supporting elements  24   a  are shown to be larger than in  FIGS. 4A-C . In particular, one shank  24  penetrates the respective supporting element  24   a.  Thus, the supporting elements  24   a  can align with the side of the pommel  12  facing away from the horse or other components of the saddle tree  10  or the saddle. Thus, aligned/smooth transitions can be achieved in the saddle structure. Further, a damping effect can be achieved by appropriately designing the supporting element  24   a,  if the saddle tree  10  is used for the intended purpose. 
         [0069]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4D , the respective supporting element  24   a  is connected to the respective shank  24  of the gullet plate  30  via a fastening device  28  having a flat design. 
         [0070]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a saddle tree  10  according to the invention having supporting elements  24   a  attached on the gullet plate  30  according to  FIG. 4C . In this embodiment, the saddle tree  10  has two fastening devices  28  and a damping means  38  on the shanks  24  above the shank ends  21 . The supporting elements  24   a  are designed such that they can function as points  15 . Hence, the supporting elements  24   a  can adopt the functions from the state of the art of the points. For example, the supporting element  24   a  can be attached to the shank by means of two supporting points, which restricts the flexibility of the spatial movement of the supporting element  24   a  if desired. 
         [0071]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the saddle tree  10  according to the invention, which is additionally reinforced by means of a cantle bar  19  and longitudinal bars  17 , which are connected to the shanks  24  via the respective second mounting fixtures  22 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the saddle tree  10  according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars  17  are connected to a stirrup bar  18  via the respective second mounting fixtures  22 . In this embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  and stirrup bar  18  are individually reversibly detachable fixed, wherein in yet another embodiment of the invention each of the said stirrup bars  18  is provided with a second mounting fixture  22 , which is attached to the gullet plate  30 , on the saddle tree  10  and/or the stirrup bar  18  and is suitable to fix the stirrup bar  18  such that it can be reversibly detached. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the fixing of the stirrup bar  18  can hence be dependent or independent from the fixing of the shank  24 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the saddle tree  10  according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars  17  are connected to a stirrup bar  18  via the respective second mounting fixtures  22  and to the shanks  24  via the respective second mounting fixtures  22 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of another embodiment of the saddle tree  10  according to the invention, whose longitudinal bars  17  are firmly connected to a stirrup bar  18  and the shank  24  via the respective second mounting fixtures  22 . The shanks  24  additionally have broadened shank ends  21 . 
         [0075]    In another embodiment of the invention, the saddle tree  10  has longitudinal bars  17 , such that the shank  24  starts from the collar of the longitudinal bar  17  of the saddle tree  10 , and from there onwards essentially encompasses the entire downward facing section. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  is attached to the side of the horse, preferably starting from the padding line. According to the invention, the shank  24  is designed as one-piece but it can also be designed as multi-piece and optionally, connected to the points  15 . 
         [0076]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  is fixed to the gullet plate element  16  or the saddle tree  10  by means of at least one damping means  38  with flexible support. In another embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  and stirrup bar  18  are designed as one-piece. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  and stirrup bar  18  are designed as separate elements, i.e., the shank  24  and the stirrup bar  18  are not directly connected to each other or not designed as one-piece, whereby the shank  24  and the stirrup bar  18  are together or independently reversibly detachable fixed. 
         [0077]    In another embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  is designed to be reversibly detachable fixed with respect to the mounting fixture  20 ,  22  such that the positioning of the shank  24  can be changed with respect to the saddle tree  10 , the stirrup bar  18  and/or the gullet plate element  16  without completely dismantling the shank  24 , i.e., the shank  24  can be moved or adjusted in the mounting fixture  20 ,  22  without being removed. 
         [0078]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the shank  24  is designed to be reversibly detachable fixed with respect to the mounting fixture  20 ,  22  such that the shank  24  can be completely removed from the saddle tree  10  or gullet plate element  16 , i.e., can be replaced (e.g., some other shank  24  in terms of weight, shape and/or material) by another one. 
         [0079]    In another embodiment of the invention, the said first mounting fixture  20  is suitable for fixing the elements to be attached according to the invention by means of one or more suitable fastening devices. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first mounting fixture comprises a damping means  38 . 
         [0080]    The seating area  11  extends between the pommel  12  and the cantle  13  and may have a side cut  14 . The longitudinal bars  17  are made of spring steel or elastically deformable material and extend between the cantle bar  19  and shanks  24 . They can be connected to the gullet plate  30  by means of a second mounting fixture  22 . For this purpose, the shank can be provided with a plurality of collars, such that the second mounting fixture is suitable in terms of a slide bar. In addition to the usual criteria for adjusting saddles, all the important anatomical parameters in the seating area  11  and in the area of the trapezoids of the horse can be changed in terms of position and orientation, i.e., angular position of the shank  24 , shank end  21 , stirrup bars  18  and longitudinal bars  17 . The longitudinal bars  17  can also be designed in the shape of an S, whereby they are designed to taper together in the area of the side cut  14 . 
       REFERENCE NUMBER LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  Saddle tree 
           11  Seating area 
           12  Pommel 
           13  Cantle 
           14  Side cut 
           15  Points 
           16  Gullet plate element 
           17  Longitudinal bar 
           18  Stirrup bar 
           19  Cantle bar 
           20  First mounting fixture 
           21  Shank end 
           22  Second mounting fixture 
           24  Shank/gullet plate shank 
           24   a  Supporting element 
           26  Longitudinal direction 
           27  Transverse direction 
           28  Fastening device (for supporting element  24   a ) 
           30  Gullet plate 
           32  Overlap 
           34  Crank 
           36  S-shaped arc 
           38  Damping means