GB2297890A

GB2297890A - Fly repellent safety halter

Info

Publication number: GB2297890A
Application number: GB9503079A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Daynes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-16
Filing date: 1995-02-16
Publication date: 1996-08-21
Also published as: GB9503079D0

Abstract

A halter 1 for a horse comprises a series of straps (4 to 8 fig 2) which are connected eg at 3 in such a way as to be releasable when the halter becomes entangled. Tassels 2 are used to repel flies. A veil in place of the tassels is contemplated. The ears may be covered also.

Description

Flv Repellent Safetv Halter Field of the Invention The invention relates to a physical airborne insect repellent, for use on the heads of horses, ponies and other grazing livestock, being designed as such that it will, if entangled, come freely away from the animal's head.

Review of Art Known to AnDlicant At certain times of the year, horses, ponies and other grazing animals are plagued by flies and other airborne insects. These crawl around the animals face, in particular around the eyes, ears and nose. This causes annoyance to the animal, resulting in restlessness and fatigue, as well as producing sore and inflamed eyes.

There are available, physical repellents for airborne insects, known as Fly Fringes. These usually consist of a band or piece of material, onto which suspend numerous cords or tassels. These cords and tassels move when the animal moves it's head, thus repelling and deterring airborne insects from landing or settling on the animal's head in the area of the Fly Fringe.

These Fly Fringes are however usually separate items, requiring that they are fined onto a standard headcollar, halter or bridle for them to fit onto the animal's head or to secure them. Due to their construction and function, in that they must be strong enough to lead and control a large, powerful animal such as a horse, standard headcollars, halters and bridles are usually constructed of strong, heavy materials, with strong metal fastenings.

The continuous wearing of a Fly Fringe on a standard headcollar, halter, etc., usually results in the animals face becoming chaffed and sore, from repeated rubbing of the buckles and material on the animals face. In addition, the strong construction of these headcollars can cause a problem, in that if the animal should become entangled, or caught up by the headcollar, halter, etc., in either a fence, tree branch, it's foot, etc., then the animal may panic and try to free Itself, resulting in serious injury to the animal and damage to property.

Therefore the fitting of a Fly Fringe onto a standard headcollar, etc., is usually undertaken, knowing the benefits it will provide the animal, but with a degree of reluctance and caution, knowing the problems of chafing. and of the serious dangers that can ensue if the animal becomes entangled.

Summarv of the Invention In one broad aspect, the invention provides a series of straps, constructed from a flexible material, connected in such a way that when placed onto the head of a horse, pony or similar grazing animal for which it has been designed, it will fit securely about the animals head and face. The straps are connected at key points using materials or fasteners which will separate if undue pressure or strain is applied to them. These connections allow the straps to pull free of the animals head or face in the event of it becoming caught up or entangled.

Secured to the straps at specific points are a series of cords and tassels, which lay over the face and head of the animal, providing a repellent to airborne insects and thus deterring them from anempting to settle onto the animals face.

Brief Descrintion of Drawings A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the Fly Repellent Safety Halter in a front view.

Figure 2 shows the Fly Repellent Safety Halter in a side elevation as it may appear if fined onto a horses head.

(Head shown in outline) Figure 3 illustrates a possible example of the halter in perspective, fined onto a horses head.

Technical Description The numbers refer to the drawings, which in conjunction with the rest of the text of this specification, it is believed contain sufficient information for the skilled addressee to put the invention into practice.

Referring to Figure 1, the Fly Repellent Safety Halter consists of a series of straps made from a flexible material 1 , which are joined to themselves in such a manner so as to form a halter. When placed upon the head of a horse 9 , or similar grazing animal for which it has been specifically designed, it being secured using special materials or fasteners 3 which will separate if undue pressure is applied, it will fit securely about that animals head. At specific points about those straps, cords or tassels 2, are connected.

Figure 2 shows a side-view of one possible example of the Fly Repellent Safety Halter, situated onto the head of a horse 9 (in outline). In this example, one strap4, runs from the one cheek on one side of the animal, over the top of the head, down to the cheek on the other side of the horses face. Other straps 5 , are connected to either side the top of strap 4 and run underneath the chin of the animal, where they are secured using a special material or fastener 3, which will separate if undue pressure or force is applied. Another strap6, is connected to strap 4 and to another strap 7 , and goes around the nose of the animal, reconnecting with itself underneath, using a special material or fastener 3.Another strap 8, runs around the top of strap 4 , being situated as such as to sit at the top of the horses head and face, and is again connected using fasteners 3. Positioned at various specific points along these range of straps are cords or tassels 2.

Figure 3 shows in perspective a possible example of the Fly Repellent Safety Halter, as positioned upon a horses head 9, showing the cords or tassels 2 at specific points so as to provide a physical deterrent and thus repel airborne insects from senling at points on the animals head. The series of straps are connected together at key points using special materials or fasteners 3 , which separate easily if undue pressure or force is exerted upon them, such as would occur if the animal became entangled, or caught up. The lightweight, flexible material from which the halter is constructed 1 , along with the absence of any heavy metal fastenings, greatly reduces the likelihood of chaffing, which can occur when a standard headcollar is worn for a long period with a fly fringe attached.

Claims

1) Fly Repellent Safety Halter, consisting of a series of straps, constructed from a flexible material, connected in such a way that when placed onto the head of a horse, pony or similar grazing animal for which it has been designed, it will fit securely about the animals head and face. The straps are connected at key points using materials or fasteners which will separate if undue pressure or strain is applied to them. These connections allow the straps to pull free of the animals head or face in the event of it becoming caught up or entangled.

Secured to the straps at specific points are a series of cords and tassels, which lay over the face and head of the animal, providing a repellent to airborne insects and deterring them from attempting to settle onto the animals face.

2) Fly Repellent Safety Halter, as claimed in claim 1, wherein a mesh type veil, or similar, covering the animals face, is connected to the straps at key locations, rather than tassels or cords.

3) Fly Repellent Safety Halter, as claimed in claim 1, or claim 2. wherein material coverings are positioned as such onto the straps, that the ears of the animal are covered when it is placed upon the animals head.

4) Fly Repellent Safety Halter, substantially as described herein, with reference to figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.