US215983A - Improvement in horse-clothing - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE JOSEPH O. SIMPSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE-CLOTHING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,983, dated May 27, 1879 application filed March 3, 1879. i

i To all whom it may concern:

' clothing is such as to be more comfortable than that ordinarily made.

Ordinary blankets for horses are made usually square, and are held in place by one or more surcingles about the body of the horse and straps or buckles across the chest. When put on in this way the blanket is tightly held in some places and loose in others. It has to be strapped on tight in order to be kept in place, and where the straps occur the horse is apt to be chafed. He will then rub against the stall to relieve himself of the itching which he feels at the points where the straps or surcingles are, in. order to get the blanket or covering off, showing that it is uncomfortable to him.

The blanket or clothing which I propose to use is made to conform to the shape of the horse, the same as clothes are fitted to a man, by measurement, and cutting the cloth so that it will fit to the inequalities of the surface.

Figures 1 and 2 are views of my device.

The blanket A is made of any suitable material, cut to fit the shape of the horse, and having the extensions B, which may reach down to the knees or any desired distance.

The rear ends of the two sides are permanently joined together, as shown at a, an opening, 0, being left at the proper point through which the tail may project. This opening is left large enough for the tail to be passed through as the blanket is put on, and a flap, O, is buttoned over it. This rear inner portion of the blanket is lined with oil-silk, rubber, or similar material, so that it will not be likely to be soiled.

On the side of the blanket at that part which covers the body of the horse are three or more rings, D, and below them on the same side are secured a corresponding number of straps or hands, E. On the opposite side of the blanket, but lower down, are a series of rings, and these straps lead through them and then up to the rings D, where they are secured, thus holding the blanket in position. These straps or bands may be drawn up to suit circumstances, and are always attached to the blankets, thus doing away with all surcingles or independent straps.

On that part of the extension 13 connecting immediately with the body of the blanket are the buttons F, which hold the two sides together at that point. The front portion of the blanket has also a row of buttons, G, which, by fitting into corresponding holes, join the two parts together at this point, the blanket thus completely enveloping the horse.

On the upper part of the neck is inserted a piece of elastic material, as shown at H, so that the blanket will, even when closely fitted, adapt itself to any position of the neck.

Back of this elastic material H is a strip of be brought back to its original place when the horse raises his head, thus obviating the danger to the eyes when the head is lowered. This hood J is buttoned on by means of the buttons K, and is fitted to the head as nicely as the blanket to the body. At the nose of the hood is an elastic band, L, to which the buttons are secured, in order that the hood may be kept sung in place, and at the same time allow motion of the jaws while eating.

It will be seen that blankets or clothing for horses made in the manner herein described will not be liable to fall or be rubbed off. Although made snug to the form and closefitting, they will not be uncomfortable to the horse. The horse will be completely covered from the knees and hooks to the nose in a closely-fitting garment, so constructed and secured, however, as to allow freedom of motion to the animal without being too tight at any particular points. With this covering the horse is thoroughly protected from the cold, and no extra straps or surcingles are required to keep the blanket in its proper position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The blanket or covering A, having the extensions 13 to fit the fore and hind legs of the animal, front fastenings, F G, and the rings D, and permanent straps or bands E, and the tail-opening 0, and flap O, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The blanket or covering A, with its eX- tensions B, permanent securing-bands E, and the front fastenings, F G, in combination with the elastic neck-extension H, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

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