IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF CONTROLLING HORSES BY THE USE OF MAGNETIC ELECTRICITY
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Laycock, of Whittington, in the County
of Derby, Dyer, for the Invention of “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF
CONTROLLING HORSES BY THE USE OF MAGNETIC ELECTRICITY."
Scaled the 31st August 1875, and dated the 4th March 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Laycock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
4th March 1875.
I, GEORGE LAYCOCK, of Whittington, in the County of Derby, Dyer,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MODE OF CONTROLLING HORSES BY. THE USE OF MAGNETIC ELECTRICITY," to be
as follows:-
To stop or retard the speed of horses by magnetic electricity by means
of a magnetic machine or galvanic battery, and passing a current
through the mouth or different parts of the animal. A bit is introduced
into the mouth of the horse, so made as to cause a current of electricity
passing through the bit to affect the mouth of the animal as a conductor,

page_text: The bit is connected on either side by means of insulated copper wire or
other covered conductor with a magnetic electric machine.
When the horse is required to be stopped a current is passed to the
mouth of the horse from a machine being put in motion which causes
the horses immediately to stop.
Also to urge the animal to increased speed by similar means applied
to different parts of the animal. The speed of the horse is accelerated
by means of a current of electricity being made to affect the animal
under the belly band on either side by means of the electric current
passing from one conductor to the other, so as to affect the horse and 1
give a slight shock, and so cause the animal's speed to be increased
according to the frequency or intensity of the shocks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Georgo Laycock in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 3rd September 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
LAYCOCK, of Whittington, in the County of Derby, Dyer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fourth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-
éighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said George Laycock, Her special licence
that I, the said George Laycock, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said George Laycock, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, 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 "CONTROLLING
HORSES BY MEANS OF MAGNETIC ELECTRICITY," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said George Laycock, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and scals, should particularly describe and ascertain the

page_text: 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
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Laycock, do hereby declaro
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, that is to say:-
To make my Invention easily understood I will proceed to describo
the same by reference to the accompanying Drawings, of which,—
Figure 1 is the carriage or cart horse; and Figure 2, the saddle
horse.
Figure 3 is the bridle bit, and is used for controlling a runaway horse.
One half of the bit is marked ("a") and the other half (6). The bent of bis
insulated with india-rubber or any other non-conducting substance. The
end of 6 is then passed through the hole in the end of ("a") and fastened
by bending it; any other bit will do if the same is insulated. The bit (a)
and (b) is connected with a machine or battery by means of a wire
attached to the reins of the horse and connected therewith, see Figures 1
and 2.
Figure 4 is an appliance for urging on the horse, and consists of two
pieces of copper or any other suitable metal fixed to the girth or belly
band of the horse about the place where spurs are usually applied, and
the wires connect them with the machine or battery.
Figure 5 shows the kicking straps which are used for controlling
kicking horses, and consists of a strap affixed to each of the hind legs of
the horse, the strap being lined with copper or any other suitable metal.
This Figure is also shewn in Figure 1, and fastened on each hind
leg.
This Figure
Figure 6 is a metal spring which is more easily adjusted and can be
used in lieu of the strap in case the horse is very vicious.
is also shewn on Figure 1 and fastened on each fore leg.
or springs are connected with the machine or battery by means of wires,
as shown in Figure 1, letters C, C, and D, D.
These straps
In case of a rearing horse I should apply the straps, Fig. 5, or springs,

page_text: Fig. 6, to the fore legs of the horse in like manner as in the case of a
kicking horse, seo Figure 1.
In the case of a saddle horse, Figure 2, the appliance in lieu of spurs
and the bit are connected with a machine or battery placed immediately
in front of the saddle and worked by the rider.
In driving the machine or battery can be placed inside the con-
veyance on the driver's seat, or in any other convenient place.
5
To prevent a horse from running away when left in a carriage alone
the machine or battery is attached to the break which has a small wheel
let into it. This is pressed against the wheel of the conveyance when 1
the break is put on. A grooved wheel works on the spindle of the
wheel connected with the break, and when the horse moves the electric
current is communicated to the bit and the horse is thereby stopped.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Laycock, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of August, in the 1
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.