IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Blackwell, of Oxford Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Saddle and Harness Manufacturer, for the
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Blackwell
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 9th March 1853.
I, SAMUEL BLACKWELL, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND HARNESS" to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists in, and has for its object, firstly, an improved
mode of constructing a certain article af Saddlery denominated a dumb
jockey. Hitherto this article has been made of wood, and consequently
has been attended with the objection of not adapting itself to the
shoulders of horses of different sizes; and further, in the event of a
horse rearing or becoming unmanageable, and rolling or falling on his
back during the operation of bitting or breaking in many instances the
wood of which the dumb jockey is made has been known to splinter
and injure the animal. The object and intention of this Invention is

page_text: therefore to obvinte the possibility of such an occurrence, by constructing
the dumb jockey of gutta percha, or in some instances only those parts
which are required to be in contact with the shoulders and sides of a
horse, whereby the dumb jockey will adapt itself closely to a thick or
thin shouldered horse, and will not break or splinter in the event of a
horse rolling or falling on his back; or instead of making all or only a
portion of the dumb jockey of gutta percha, it may be made either
wholly or partially of gutta percha and wood combined, or gutta percha
and iron combined, or of gutta percha, wood, iron, and leather com-
bined. Another improvement connected with dumb jockeys consists in
the use and application thereto of elastic reins formed of india-rubber,
or vulcanized india-rubber, either solid or hollow, with string or web
inside the same, as shewn at Fig. 3; or elastic webbing composed of
india-rubber, or of vulcanized india-rubber, so as to convey to the
horse's mouth the same motion, or nearly so, as would be conveyed by
the pull from a man's hand, when riding or driving horses to break
them in. And further, in the use and application of springs of india-
rubber or vulcanized india-rubber, to the girths of saddles, dumb
jockeys, and articles of horse clothing. Another part of this Invention
consists in making the trees or foundations of saddles and side-saddles
of gutta percha, or gutta percha, wood, and iron combined, or of gutta
percha, iron, and leather combined, whereby the same saddle may be
used for and will fit either a thick or fine shouldered horse, a pony,
donkey, or mule.
And as regards that part of this Invention which
relates to harness, this Invention consists in the use and application of
springs of india-rubber or vulcanized india-rubber in the construction of
cruppers, gig, riding, and driving reins, and bearing reins to harness,
and side reins to keep horses heads in the right position without restraint;
also to martingales and nose bands acting on the head, thereby allowing
horses free liberty to toss up their heads without striking the rider in
the face. It should be observed, that as it would be difficult to enume-
rate separately all the various applications of india-rubber springs to
different parts of harness, the above are given only as examples of the
manner in which the before-mentioned springs may be applied thereto,
the Inventor reserving to himself the use and application of india-

page_text: rubber springs to any particular part of harness, where elasticity is
required to prevent friction of such part. And in order to explain and
ascertain more fully the nature of this Invention, reference must be
had to the illustrative sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the
numeral figures and letters of reference marked thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Fig. 1, exhibits a side view of a dumb jockey and reins constructed
according to this Invention, and as they would appear when applied to
a horse. Fig. 2, is a front view of the tree or foundation of a side-
saddle. Figs. 3, and 4, exhibit two views of a solid elastic rein con-
structed according to this Invention. Figs. 5, and 6, are views of a
hollow elastic rein. At Fig. 1, a, a, b, b, mark the cross trees of a dumb
jockey; the parts a, a, may be formed of wood, and the parts b, b, of
gutta percha, or such parts may be formed wholly of gutta percha, or
some or both of such parts may be formed of gutta percha combined, in
the manner herein-before stated. c, c, mark reins attached to the upper
cross trees of the dumb jockey by a spring hook d, shewn more clearly
at Figs. 3, and 4, which takes into a ring or staple fixed in the upper
cross trees as usually practised; the spring hook d, is securely fastened
to one end of a solid piece of india-rubber or vulcanized india-rubber
e, and to the other end of such said piece of india-rubber a piece of
leather f, is securely attached by sewing or otherwise, for connecting the
elastic rein to the bit in the horse's mouth. g, marks a crupper con-
nected to the dumb jockey by staples or rings in the usual manner.
The crupper g, according to this Invention, is constructed with or has
a spring of india-rubber or vulcanized india-rubber attached thereto at
h, or such spring may be placed at any other convenient part of said
crupper. Now, supposing the reins e, f, to be attached to the dumb
jockey and to the horse's bit in the position exhibited, it will appear
manifest that any upward or downward movement of the horse's head
will be met with resistance from one or other of the elastic reins e and f;
and thus the horse may be broken in, and accustomed to carry his head
in any particular position according to what part of the dumb jockey

page_text: the reins are attached. And in this manner, and by these means, this
Invention may be carried into effect so as to constitute Improvements
in Sadlery and Harness.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Samuel Blackwell, in the Great Seal Patent Office,
on the 9th September 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
SAMUEL BLACKWELL, of Oxford Street, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Iler Letters
Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the sixteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors, give and graut
unto me, the said Samuel Blackwell, IIer special licence, that I, the
said Samuel Blackwell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Samuel Blackwell, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SADDLERY AND
HARNESS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Samuel
Blackwell, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Oflice within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, tho said Samuel Blackwell, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof (that is to say):
My Invention relates, firstly, to a certain article of saddlery known

page_text: and distinguished as a dumb jockey, and employed for breaking in
horses, and my Invention consists in an improved mode of constructing
the same. Hitherto this article has been made of wood, and con-
sequently has been attended with the objection of not adapting itself
to the shoulders of horses of different sizes; and further, in the event of
a horse rearing or becoming unmanageable, and rolling or falling on
his back during the operation of bitting or breaking in many instances
the wood of which the drumb jockey has been made has been known
to splinter and injure the animal. Now, the object and intention of
my said Invention is to obviate these objections by constructing the
dumb jockey of gutta percha, or in some instances only those parts
thereof which are required to be in contact with the shoulders and
sides of a horse, whereby a dumb jockey thus constructed will adapt
itself closely, either to a thick or thin shouldered horse, nd will not
break or splinter in the event of a horse rolling or falling on his back;
or instead of making all or only a portion of the dumb jockey of
gutta percha, it may be made either wholly or partially of gutta percha
and wood combined, or of gutta percha and iron combined, or of gutta
percha, wood, iron, and leather combined. Another improvement con-
nected with dumb jockeys consists in the use and application thereto
of clastic reins formed of india-rubber, or vulcanized india-rubber,
hollow, with string or webbing fixed inside the same, so as to limit the
extent to which the india-rubber shall stretch, and by thus constructing
and applying the reins to convey to a horse's mouth the same motion,
or nearly so, as would be conveyed by the pull from a man's hand when
riding or driving horses to break them in.
And as regards the second part of my said Invention, which relates
to improvements in harness, it consists in the use and application of
springs of india-rubber, or vulcanized india-rubber, either separately or
in combination with string or webbing, in and for the manufacture
of cruppers, gig reins, reins used in riding and driving, bearing reins to
harness, and side reins to keep horses heads in the right position without
restraint; and to martingales and nose bands acting on the head, thereby
allowing horses free liberty to toss up their heads without striking the

page_text: rider in the face; and further in the use and application of gutta
percha in and for the manufacture of crib biters for horses. And in
order to explain my said Invention as completely as possible, I will
proceed to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
my said Invention into practical effect, reference being had to the illus-
trative drawing hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters
of reference marked thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, exhibits a perspective view of a dumb jockey constructed
according to my said Invention, and as it would appear when applied
to a horse; shewing also the elastic reins before mentioned applied
thereto, and the erupper for maintaining the dumb jockey in the re-
quired position. Figure 2, is a front elevation; and Figure 3, a side
elevation of a "crib biter," constructed according to my said Invention.
Figures 4, 5, and 6, are views of a hollow rein constructed according
to my said Invention. Figure 4, is an elevation of the rein as it would
appear when ready for use. Figure 5, is a longitudinal and vertical
section of the rein as it would appear when in use, and stretched to its
uttermost limit. Figure 6, shews the rein in its collapsed state, and as
it would appear when out of use. Figures 7, 8, exhibit detached parts
herein-after referred to, drawn to an enlarged scale to enable the
construction thereof to be more readily understood. At each of the
foregoing Figures similar letters of reference are employed to denote
corresponding parts, in so far as such parts appear or can be seen at
each of the Figures respectively. At Figure 1, a, b, mark the cross
trees of a dumb jockey; the parts a, may be formed of wood, and the
parts b, of gutta percha, or such parts may be formed wholly of gutta
percha, or of gutta percha combined with other materials, as herein-
before stated: c, c, mark reins attached to the upper cross trees of the
dumb jockey by a spring hook d, (shewn more clearly at Figure 4,)
which takes into a ring or staple fixed in the upper cross trees, as
usually practised.
The construction of the elastic reins is as follows: at Figures 4, 5,

page_text: 6, e, e, marks a piece of india-rubber or vulcanized india-rubber tubing:
f, a plait of hemp or other strong material, the length whereof should
be as much longer than the tube e, as is necessary for giving to the said
tube the required amount of elasticity, which will vary according to
circumstances, and must therefore be determined accordingly.
The plait e, is passed through the india-rubber tube, and through
pieces of metal g, (shewn at Figures 7, and 8,) upon which pieces the
ends of the india-rubber tube are secured in the following manner.
It will be seen, upon referring to Figures 7, and 8, that the part 1, of
the piece g, has rings or recesses cut or formed around the same to
lessen the tendency of the india-rubber to slip therefrom when pulled.
The piece g, is also formed with a screw at 2, and is smaller at the part 3,
thereof, to allow the screwed socket piece h, to pass freely over the
same, so that when the end of such said piece is screwed tight against
the india-rubber it will be held firmly between such part and the
shoulder of the part 1; and I limit the extent to which the india-rubber
stretches when in use by tieing knots at each end of the plait e, as
shewn at Figures 6, 7, 8. The spring hooks are connected to one end
of the elastic reins by the socket pieces h, and the other end of said
reins are connected to the horse's bit by passing a strap i, through the
ring of the socket piece h', and through another ring attached to the
horse's bit. k, marks an elastic crupper, which may be connected to
the cross trees of the dumb jockey by staples or rings fixed thereto in
the manner usually practised; and I construct said crupper with a
spring 1, of india-rubber or vulcanized india-rubber, which is hollow,
and of similar construction to the reins above mentioned; or instead of
placing said spring at the precise part of the crupper as exhibited at
Figure 1, it may be placed at any other convenient part thereof. m, is
an elastic girth for attaching the dumb jockey to the body of the horse.
n, n, are rings securely fixed to the lower cross trees for connecting
thereto and to the horse's bit other reins o, similar in all respects to
those marked c, and herein-before described. Now, supposing the reins
c, and o, to be attached to the dumb jockey and to the horse's bit, in
the position exhibited by the drawing, it will appear manifest that any

page_text: upward or downward movement of the horse's head will meet with
resistance from one or other of the elastic reins c, and o; and thus a
horse may be broken in, and accustomed to carry his head in any
desired position, according to which of the rings of the dumb jockey
the reins c, and o, are attached.
And as regards the construction of the crib biter herein-before
mentioned, and exhibited at Figures 2, and 3, of the illustrative drawing,
my Invention consists, first, in making such article either wholly of
gutta percha, or of gutta percha in combination with leather and iron,
instead of making the same of iron and leather only, as usually practised;
and, secondly, in making the upper part of said article as exhibited at
a, Figure 2, so as to prevent such part from chafing or rubbing tho
horse's manc. b, c, ure straps and buckles for attaching the article to a
horse's neck.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be and may be performed, I claim as of my
Invention of improvements in saddlery,―
Firstly, the constructing of dumb jockeys of gutta percha, or of
gutta percha and wood combined, or of gutta percha, wood, iron, and
leather combined.
Secondly, I claim the use and application to dumb jockeys of elastic
reins, and an elastic crupper, in the manner herein-before particularly
described, and represented at Figures 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, of the illustrative
drawing hereunto annexed, and for the purposes set forth :
Thirdly, I claim as of my Invention of improvements in harness the
use and application thereto of springs of india-rubber or vulcanized
india-rubber, either separately or in combination with string or webbing,
in and for the manufacture of the same, in the manner herein-before
particularly described, and represented at Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, of the
illustrative drawing hereunto annexed, and for the purposes set forth:
And,―
Lastly, I claim as of my invention the use and application of gutta
percha, cither separately or in combination with leather and iron, in and
for the manufacture of cirb biters for horses, as herein-before par-

page_text: ticularly described, set forth, and represented at Figures 2, and 3, of the
illustrative drawing hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Blackwell, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
SAMUEL BLACKWELL. (L.S.)
Witness, ALEXR. PRINCE, Patent Agent,
4, Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross.