An Improved Bridle.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th July, 1898-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1898
An Improved Bridle.
I, SAMUEL VAN BUSKIRK, of 27, Yonge Park, London, N., Horse Trainer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment, that is to say :-
My invention relates to an improved bridle for driving or riding and has for its
object to enable more effectual control to be obtained over the horse without the
infiction of severe pain as when a "curb" bit is used. This end is accomplished by
means of a bridle combining the effect of the snaffle bit with the power of the curb
bit but operating in such manner that the effect of the pull on the rein or reins is not
converted by leverage, as in the case of the ordinary curb bit, into severe local pres-
sure on the jaw of the horse but is so applied as to bring the entire head of the
animal under the control of the rider or driver and so enable the most high spirited
or vicious tempered animal to be held under complete mastery with ease.
The invention consists essentially of a bridle comprising a double running bit the
two bits being connected, at opposite sides of the horse's mouth, each by one end
only, to the opposite ends of a running head-stall strap which passes over the top
and down opposite sides of the bead the reins being respectively attached to the
other ends of the bits which pass through rings on the cheek straps of the ordinary
head stall.
The two bits normally lie alongside and somewhat across each other in the mouth
but as the direct pull of each rein comes only upon that one of the bits and at that
end thereof to which that rein is attached, the effect when one rein is pulled is felt by
the animal as a pressure at the side of the mouth and up the entire side of the head
opposite to the rein pulled; whilst when both reins are pulled the bits are caused to
assume a still more cross wise position relatively to each other so as to thereby press
or pinch inwards the opposite ends of the mouth the pressure being continued
upwards at both sides of the head in such manner that perfect control of the entire
head is obtained. By this means the horse is prevented from taking the bit between
his teeth and thereby rendering the bit ineffective for the purpose of controlling the
animal.
The construction and operation of the bridle will be more fully described with
reference to the accompanying drawing-forming part of this specification wherein
the bridle is represented as in use.
a a are the two running bits made preferably of steel bars or links but may be
made of other material, for instance of plaited raw hide or of metal bars or links
covered with rubber. Each bit a is connected by only one of its ends, the one bit to
the one end and the other bit to the other end of a strap b which passes over the
top of the head behind the ears and down each side the two ends being at
opposite sides of the head so that the bits pass across the mouth in reverse directions,
thus forming a double running bit the pull of the reins thereon being in part con-
veyed by the strap b to the sides and top of the head. The attachment of the
bits a a to the straps b b is preferably made through a series of links a¹ a¹ extending
about three inches (more or less) upwards from each side of the mouth, and covered

page_text: if so desired, with leather or a piece of rubber tubing or other soft material. The
strap blies beneath the cheek straps c of the ordinary head stall which terminates in
rings d through which pass the ends of the bits a which terminate in larger rings e
to which the reins fare respectively attached, the rings e being too large to pass
through the rings d of the head stall so that a pull on the one rein only is resisted
for the most part by the strap 6 passing over the top of the head, and finally by the
ring d which prevents the ring e of the other bit from drawing inwards.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a bridle for riding or driving the combination of two bits attached the one by
the one end only and the other by the opposite end only to the corresponding ends
of a strap passing over the head the other ends of the bits to which the reins are
respectively attached, being held up in the mouth for operation substantially as
described.
. 2. The herein described bridle consisting in the combination with an ordinary
head stall of a double running bit comprising two bits attached at opposite ends to
the ends of a strap passing over the head beneath the head stall the other ends of the
bits to which the reins are respectively attached passing through rings on the cheek
straps of the head stall for operation substantially as specified.
Dated this 7th day of July 1898.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London..