Improvements in Devices for Controlling Horses.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 17th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 22nd Nov., 1887
Improvements in Devices for Controlling Horses.
I, JOHN WILLIAM BUCKLE, of Vechmael, Tongres (Limburg), Belgium, Stud-
groom, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The devices heretofore provided for controlling horses, besides being unreliable, are
mostly based on principles rendering them altogether unfit for use, their application
involving cruel treatment of these animals.
By the improved device which forms the subject of my invention, a horse can be
very easily kept under complete control without being hurt in the least. I will proceed
to describe the same for riding purposes, as applied to a four-ringed snaffle bridle
with which it is preferably employed.
To the bridle are attached the upper ends of two links by means of buckles.
These links receive in front a nose band arranged a little above the nostrils, and at
their lower ends a lip strap occupying the place where the curb chain has been
ordinarily applied. From a martingale suitably connected with the said links passes
a strap loosely round the rear part of the horse's neck within easy reach of the rider.
The martingale prevents the horse from rearing or carrying its head too high. In
case of need the rider pulls back the strap fastened to the martingale, thereby
causing the aforesaid nose band and lip strap to act so as to effectually restrain the
horse.
The controlling device can be adapted to any bridle, to be used therewith either
for driving or riding. Its charateristic features being understood, modifications can
readily be devised without departing from the nature of my invention.'
Dated this 31st day of December 1886.
JOHN WILLIAM BUCKLE.

page_text: Improvements in Devices for Controlling Horses.
I JOHN WILLIAM BUCKLE, of Vechmael, Tongres (Limburg), Belgium, Stud
Groom, 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 statement :-
My invention relates to devices for controlling horses, and is designed to render
such devices more effective and reliable than those heretofore employed.
The device constructed according to tho said invention is adapted for riding as well
as driving, and can be used with any bit. It is applied to the horse's head, and
comprises side links or lovers held in position by suitable means, and a lip strap,
which parts are combined with a nose band so as to prevent the horse from opening
its mouth wider than is necessary for its natural breathing. In certain cases I attach
a fork martingale to the aforesaid side links or levers, for the purpose of preventing
the horse from rearing or carrying its head too high.
In order to make my invention better understood, I proceed to describe the same
with reference to the accompanying drawing which represents a side view of the
controlling device as I preferably use it.
A nose band a which is arranged a short distance above the nostrils is connected
to two side links or levers b, the upper ends of which are fastened to a strap c passing
usually underneath the headstall and through the bridle front over the horse's head.
Near their upper extremity the aforesaid side links or levers receive a strap d that
extends round the jaw to keep the controlling device steady and in its proper position.
A lip strape which takes the place of the curb is fixed to the lower extremity of the
side links or levers b.
In order to prevent the horse from rearing or carrying its head too high, I connect
a fork martingalef directly to the side links or lovers 6 in or near their middle.
A neck strap is attached to the martingale to keep the latter in its proper place, and
to enable the rider to seize the strap when the horse intends to rear. The martingale
need only be applied in the case of horses that are in the habit of rearing or carrying
their head too high.
The function of the nose band a and lip strap e, connected by means of the side
links or lovers b, consists in continually preventing the horse from opening its mouth
wider than is necessary for breathing freely. When in this manner the horse is
obliged to keep its mouth nearly shut, it is, from the moment the bit is put in its
mouth, completely under the control of the rider or driver, who uses the reins in the
ordinary manner.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
First. In controlling devices for horses, the employment of a lip strap in combination
with a nose band, for the purpose of keeping the mouth of the horse nearly shut.
Second. In controlling devices for horses, the employment of a lip strap e and
side levers b acting in combination with a nose band, for the purpose herein before set
forth.
Third. In controlling devices for horses, the employment of a fork martingale f
connected to the side levers b, for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
Fourth. The controlling device substantially as hereinbefore described and
represented in the accompanying drawing.