Improvements in and connected with Bridles and Appliances for Controlling Horses and similar Animals.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 25th June,
1898
COMPLETE DIUITIATION.
Improvements in and connected with Bridles and Appliances for
Controlling Horses and similar Animals.
I, DAVID FERGUSSON HANNAY, of 2, Devonshire Hill, Hampstead, London,
Riding Master, 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:-
This invention has for object, certain details of appliances connected with
bridles in order that horses and other like restive or vicious animals can be readily
controlled by a rider, or a driver and to prevent them running away or pulling
whether they have tender or hard mouths, any animal having the appliances
affixed to the bridle being under perfect command.
The appliances can also be used and found most valuable as a twitch when a
horse is being singed, clipped, or professionally operated upon by a veterinary
surgeon.
The invention in detail consists of, 1, a nose band with cushioned liner pad or
pads which can be inflated (if hollow) or of solid plug like projections from cup
shaped rings to bear on the frontal bone of the head, and the pads or plugs being
so drawn in that they bear upon or in contact with the nostrils and temporarily
prevent the animal breathing, but such pads can be dispensed with or reduced
when so desired, particularly after the animal has become tractable, the nose strap
being then sufficient to keep the animal in check.
65
The second part of the invention, although closely allied to the padded nose
band, is available for use with the plain nose band, consists of a running curb
preferably of rolled up leather, said curb being affixed centrally to the chin strap
and with the ends free to be drawn through slots in the cheek rings where they
are attached to a safety or guard rein as are also the ends of the chin strap, the
"bight" of which can lie on the animal's neck, be attached to a saddle, be held
on a rider's or a driver's finger, or in the event of the animal being one of a pair
or portion of a team in which case a single line can be affixed to the vehicle ready
for action by the driver, or it can be rove through separate rings of the harness
to be kept clear of the other, or driving reins, or the line can be loosely encased
in the usual driving reins, with a loop near to where the driving reins are held
to be easily caught hold of when desired for the purpose before mentioned.
"
The effect of the running curb is to draw the chin strap in at the centre and to
put it and the running curb into forcible contact with the chin of the animal, the
drag of the curb ends by running through the cheek rings also draws the "bit
back on to the lower jaw of the animal and the nose band on to the frontal bone,
particularly if the "bit" be of the usual jointed or snaffle kind which would be
so drawn sideways for action upon the lower jaw, but its joint would press forward
into the roof of the animal's mouth that it would be perfectly helpless and con-
sequently must succumb.
66
The foregoing appliances are in addition to the ordinary riding or driving reins
from the same. bit" and are affixed to the ordinary bridle and in no way inter-
fere with the construction or the manipulations of any ordinary bridle.

page_text: In the case of a rigid mouthed "bit" such as that used with animals in private
vehicles the invention is equally applicable but the drag of the "bit" by the
safety or guard rein would be across the lower jaw only, in conjunction with nose
pressure and chin pressure which increases in proportion to pull on the guard
rein.
My invention will be well understood by reference to the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 rear view of the nose part of a riding bridle.
Figure 2 side elevation.
Figures 3 and 4 detached views of the nose band or strap with air or other
cushions to bear against the frontal bone of an animal alone or in conjunction
with projections to press into the nostrils as a means for stopping a runaway horse,
or for checking it pulling hard.
A, A, are the side straps leading downwardly from the head and forehead straps
of the usual kind of bridle. B, B, are arch connections to maintain the position
of the nose strap C in relation to the permanent or cheek rings D, D, through which
the "bit" proper E is rove, this being of the usual snaffle or ordinary kind of
"bit" and formed in two parts joined at the middle for bending, or for the two
parts if desired to be brought closer together and so press on the lower jaw of the
animal when a back strain is imparted on a tug from either side for guiding the
animal by the ordinary rein attached to the snaffle rings G, G.
His a loop in each of the check rings D, D, for a curb I to occupy a position
under the chin of the animal, said curb being of rolled leather or other material
attached at the middle to the back chin strap J with its ends free to be drawn upon
by the extra or guard rein K which for ordinary purposes when riding can be
handled like the ordinary reins or may hang loose on the animal's neck, or be
temporarily secured or hung from the front slip ring of a saddle, or it may be run
through loops of or within the ordinary driving reins, and the extra or guard rein
terminate just in front of where the ordinary reins are handled.
The invention is available for each animal of a pair or of a team, such as a
tandem, an unicorn team, a four-in-hand vehicle, in which latter cases the guard
rein for each horse could be carried up through a casement or loops near to the
parts, of the ordinary driving reins where handled by the driver, so that any
attempt at pulling or bolting by either of the leader or leaders or of the wheelers,
an instant pull on the guard rein for that particular horse would serve to check
the animal's career, the curb I being suddenly drawn tight by the guard rein K
simultaneously with the pull back of the cheek rings which draws the nose
strap C into close contact with the frontal bone and by the side action to bear
upon the nostrils and so limit the breathing powers of the animal.
In order to effect this in a practical manner, an air cushion C¹, as at Figures 1
and 3, can be fitted on the inner side of the nose strap C, or solid or hollow
plugs C can be fitted, as at Figure 4.
With young restive horses, the air cushion C¹ will be of great advantage while
being broken in for riding or for harness purposes, but for vicious animals the
plugs C2, as at Figure 4, are preferred.
In practice however, it has been found that young restive horses after a short
spell with the air cushioned nose strap become very tractable and only require a
plain nose strap which not being in touch with their noses offers no obstacles to
their going capabilities.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described and illustrated invention in appliances connected
with bridles consisting of cushion or bulbous frontal bone and nose pads C¹ C³ on
strap C in combination with contractible chin strap J and running curb I for con-
trolling horses and other animals, as set forth.
2. The running curb I secured to back or chin strap J for operation by guard

page_text: rein K when pulled by the rider or driver for the purpose of preventing an animal
from running away, or to check it when pulling, as specified and as shown.
Dated this 7th dor of April 1808
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said David Fergusson Hannay.
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said David Fergusson Hannay.