Cantle saddle

#The art of equitation has become a sport in which the level of competition and demand for greater expertise has dramatically increased over the past decade due to specialization in this art at an earlier age. To this end, it is important for training purposes as well as for pleasure rides to provide young children and trainees with the opportunity for experiencing quality horsemanship and perceive the nuances of expertise at close hand.

#The following list of patents reflect the state of the art of which applicant is aware, and the differences between these references and the instant application should become immediately apparent:

#U.S. Pat. No. 1,214,364--Peterson

#FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus according to the present invention when affixed to a Western saddle.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus according to the present invention when affixed to an English saddle.

#FIG. 3 is a bottom view looking upward of the English saddle in FIG. 2 with the parts flattened out.

#Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10 is directed to the cantle saddle according to the present invention. This saddle 10 is provided with a tree base 1 having an underlying protective pad 2 removeably attached to the bottom face of the tree base by means of any suitable affixing device such as Velcro.TM. fasteners. The tree base 1 is provided with means for attaching the secondary or cantle saddle to the primary or main saddle and these means include plural straps 4 running along side edges 16 of the tree base, and ring members 3 disposed along a trailing edge of the tree base.

#As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cantle C or C' of the primary saddle refers to the unique contour for Western and English saddles respectively. The front edge of the secondary saddle is provided with means to conform to the rear contour or cantle area of the primary saddle and this leading edge can be defined as the horn 6 under which is provided a fork 5 and a leading edge 7 of the seating area all of which are affixed to the saddle seat 8 along edge 15. Preferably, the horn 6, fork 5 and leading edge 7 are stuffed with a padded material such as resilient foam which when drawn up against the cantle area of the primary saddle will deform to provide minimal space between the two saddles and assure a tight area of interconnection. The secondary saddle has a seating area 8 and a cantle 9 of its own which overlie the tree base 1. Preferably, the tree base 1 is riveted, stapled or in some other way permanently affixed to the seating area as is well known in leather working art.

#For the English saddle, FIG. 3 shows a mechanism by which the secondary or cantle saddle can be affixed thereto. Specifically, a gullet strap 12 made of elastic material runs along the longitudinal centerline of the English saddle on the bottom face thereof. This gullet strap 12 is provided with bifurcated termini, the front ends of which bear the legend 13 and terminate in rings 14 provided on a front edge of the English saddle. The rearward portion of the gullet strap 12 is provided with second bifurcated termini 11 which affix to the rings 3 provided on the trailing edge of the tree base.