Harness for working animal – Bridle – Bits
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-19
2002-09-17
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Harness for working animal
Bridle
Bits
C054S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06449930
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to the general fields of animal training and devices therefor. Specifically, the instant application is directed to a novel bridle bit that employs one or a plurality of bushings, said bushings enabling the complete control of separate portions of the bit and preventing pinching or pain inducing stimuli. The instant bit further employs one or a plurality of spring elements for facilitating independent bit portion control and/or the effort free return of the separate portions of the bit to their original positions subsequent to engagement thereof. The present invention, thus, relates to the art of controlling and training bittable animals, for example, horses, through the use of mouth bits, bit assemblies and devices related thereto.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Bridle bits and bitting systems have been used all over the world for centuries as a means of communication between the horse and its rider. They are used to communicate to the horse what the rider wishes the horse to do. In fact, horse training is, in large, communication. Without communication between the trainer and trainee, very little, if any, training takes place. Most present day horse training is pressure and pain avoidance training. That is, training via the use of tactile stimuli. Such training is, for example, where pressure is applied and when the horse gives to the pressure, the pressure is released. Thus, use of tactile stimuli has practical application to the control of horse behavior, because horses are controlled by riders through the delivery of tactile stimuli, often called aids by riders. These stimuli are most often given in one of three ways to the horse: to the horses's mouth with the bit, to the sides of the horse with the rider's legs, or to the horses back with the rider's posture or position in the saddle. Thus, there is widespread use of tactile stimuli to control behavior of horses, as it is an effective stimulus for horses. Dougherty and Lewis (1993) J. Exp. Anal. Behav. 59:521.
Commonly used pressure avoidance training may be effected by a leg, a shifting of the rider's weight or the reins and bit. Pain avoidance training is similar. In fact, most currently commercially available bits use this technique—give to the bit and pain is avoided. Some avoidance training is further reinforced using spurs, crops or whips. This type of training works, but it limits the communication between the horse and trainer by causing stress to both parties. Stress lowers the learning ability of all human and non-human animals. Specifically, when a horse is scared of making a mistake it is avoiding correction. That is, avoiding pain. This takes energy and keeps the horse in a defensive mode or posture. Horses are flight-oriented animals and are strong. Attempts at training are ineffective if the horse is not calm enough to receive the training stimuli. That is, listen to what is being communicated.
Bridle bits are generally used by the rider as a means of control or correction. Therefore, a horse is corrected for undesirable behavior but receives nothing for correct behavior. This methodology limits the trainer to pressure and pain avoidance training. That is, using punishment and correction for what is generally called aversive stimulation training. With the use of only corrections for undesirable behavior, the horse is caused higher levels of stress and prevented from reaching its full potential of learning ability. Horses' bits, a primary source of aversive stimulation, are carefully designed to allow the delivery of a punishing stimulus to the horse in a sensitive area with little effort by the rider. This is accomplished by a system of leather straps that hold the bit in the horse's mouth—collectively, called the bridle. By putting pressure on the reins attached to the bit, the rider brings the bit to bear on the horse's jaw bones. At rest, the bit sits on the horse's jaw bone, fitting comfortably into natural spaces between the horse's teeth. These very sensitive bones are easily stimulated by putting tension on the reins attached to the bit. Thus, the horse's behavior is readily reinforced by escape and avoidance of this punishing, or aversive, stimuli.
An understanding of the conditioning processes involved in training horses is lost because of two confusing factors. One is that the reins, through their attachment to the bit, are used to deliver both non-aversive and aversive stimuli. The other factor, horses' behavior problems can arise from a training regimen that fails to employ appropriate conditioning techniques or employs techniques that give the horse mixed messages. On the other hand, positive reinforcement training assists a horse in being motivated and enthusiastic in learning. This approach, in turn, lowers stress and decreases errors. Using only corrections causes higher stress in the horse and prevents the use of the horse's full learning and performance potential.
No satisfactory solution to the problem of limiting a horses learning ability through pressure and pain avoidance training has been provided thus far. Current bridle bit technology has enabled numerous variations on a theme to be commercially marketed. That is, various bit configurations that are all based on pain avoidance and negative reinforcement. The prior art discloses several different types of horse bits having bushings and/or rotatable parts. U.S. Pat. No. 103,103 to Swan, describes a pressure producing bridle bit having bars joined together in the center by a swivel-joint that consists of a barrel and a cylindrical nut allowing adjustment of either side of the bar against the corner of a horse's mouth.
U.S. Pat. No. 623,333 to Payne, discloses an improved bridle bit. Said bit is useful for avoiding chafing or irritation to a horse's mouth by allowing the free lateral movement of the rein-bar while the tubular mouthpiece's position remains unchanged.
Blyhoder and Hughes, U.S. Pat. No. 296,815, describe a hollow or tubular, T-shaped bridle bit with rings on either end thereof. Said bit is intended for preventing the adverse habit of wind-sucking.
A bridle bit having a mouthpiece with a centrally depressed portion provided with a covering or ball which is rotatably pressed against the roof of the horses mouth in use is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 529,472 to Bigelow.
Next, U.S. Pat. No. 1,091,683 to Mateer, describes a discloses an improved bridle bit having a medicine cup interposed between outer bar sections of the mouthpiece, said medicine cup engaged via swivel joint. Said bit is useful for the administration of medicine and aversive training.
Fryer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,193,451, discloses a loose jaw curb bit having adjustable cheek piece movement limitations. That is to say, having cheek pieces that are moveably connected to the mouthpiece via an adjustable universal ball and joint connection.
The curb-type bridle bit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,488,977 to Johnson comprises a conventional curb bit providing the ability to rock the bit in the horse's mouth via a bearing means disposed at either lateral end of the bar, between said bar and cheek pieces.
Sauter, U.S. Pat. No. 2,931,154, teaches an animal controlling apparatus that may be substituted for a bridle bit, which apparatus is use useful for animal control with a minimum of discomfort thereto.
A snaffle bit comprising a pair of bar parts joined by an elastic hinge is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,851,446 to Bischeltsrieder. The object of said bit it to provide a single bit having variable widths.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,564 to Simington teaches a bit having bar arms pivotally connected, via ball and socket joints, to a center coupling pacifier for eliminating objectionable mannerisms, e.g., tongue protruding, teeth grinding, and lip smacking.
Fry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,735, discloses an adjustable horse bit, the object of which is to provide a bit having the capability to adjust to various widths in order to accommodate different sized horse mouths.
U.S. Pa
Robart David
Robart Glenice
Nguyen Son T.
Poon Peter M.
Robart Glenice
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