The Design Technology Blog

Author: kassemwalied

  • Bitless Bridle

    Bitless Bridle

    The bitless bridle is a new form of bridle that has been around for a couple of years. It has been proven safer for the horse, and for the rider, and it provides good control of the horse and at the same time protects the horse from the entire problems associated with the bronze bit.

    The idea of the biltess bridle is that there is not bronze metal piece in the horse’s mouth in order to control it. This ensures that no pain or harm is done to the horse during the ride. This in turn makes the horse free to feel, and it make it listen more, and be willing to comply with what you need it to do. The biltess bride not only does it create a better moving horse, but it establishes a close relationship between the horse and rider, creating a relationship of trust, and love which is essential in the horse- rider relationship. The bridle also makes your horse less spooky, and willing to take

    A basic design of the bitless bridle with all the control parts

    more risks because nothing is bothering it in its mouth.

    The bitless bride ensures a pain free rein aid. The concept in controlling the horse under the bitless bridle is new and innovative, and it will ensure that he horse will comply with your demands.

    Steering: To steer your horse with the bitless bridle you simply open your hands towards the direction you would like the horse to move to. This will move the horse from the outside, and will ensure that it is not feeling any discomfort during the steering process

    Slowing and stopping: this is one of the best points of the bitless bridle, unlike the bit which causes a lot of pain to the horse especially when trying to stop it, with the bitless you simply pull slightly on both reins. This will create some pressure around the horse’s head, and it will automatically trigger the stopping and slowing action that is required from the horse.

    A prototype of the bitless bridle

    Problems solved by the bitless bridle:

    There is now a new and comforting relationship between the horse and rider

    No longer can the horse fit the bit under his tongue and ignore the rider’s actions.

    The horse will be willing to comply with the rider’s requests rather than have to abide by it.

    The rider will feel a better moving horse

    The rider will be able to take more risks and will have a much better advantage with a cooperating horse.

    Sources:

    http://www.bitlessbridle.com/cat/View+ProductsOrder.html

    http://www.bitlessbridle.com/

    http://www.nurturalhorse.com/

  • Magnetic Stirrups

    Magnetic Stirrup Blog Entry

    This form of stirrups was made for everyone from young amateur riders, to Olympic riders. The problem that this innovation came to solve was that many riders had a fear of losing their stirrups while riding especially during the competition, and this in turn can affect the rider’s performance.  The Magnetic stirrup provided an insurance that such incidents will not happen. Not only so but it helps balance the rider on his horse and this creates rhythm and makes the rider have a better feel and always be with his horse. And it give the riders confidence because the rider knows that his stirrups will not be lost, and this can give him a greater insurance and feel of safety while riding, as well as give him a better and bigger chance to take risks while in the show.

    How the stirrups work:

    The magnetic stirrups system is not sold alone. The stirrups are sold with their matching pairs of boots. Together the stirrups and the boots work and both are magnetized to provide the safety and insurance needed by the rider. The magnet is located on the stirrup in the area where the boot sits. A corresponding metal is placed on the sole of the boot so that it is automatically attracted when the rider inserts his legs into the stirrup. With precise engineering, the magnets and the metals are strong enough to ensure that your leg does not slip while riding, yet at the same time make it easy to release when it is time for you to go off your horse or in times of an accident or emergency.

    Benefits of the Magnetic stirrup:

    To provide the safety needed and comfort of fitting your foot into the stirrups while riding, but at the same time make it easy to release in case of a fall or emergency.

    Providing better control while riding and this is done by ensuring that your foot is placed properly into the stirrups, and this improves both body and leg positions, therefore enhancing the rider, and the horse’s performance.

    Provide the best contact between the horse and rider by ensuring correct leg position. This gives you the confidence needed for a good ride.

    Improving the quality of the ride for all riding ages and levels of expertise, and this is because now the rider does not have to think about his leg position, and can focus on other matters.

    Providing Stability and security for the rider while on the horse, and this is by ensuring that when the leg is properly place in the stirrups, it will not be released.

    Customization:

    The Magnetic stirrup is available for 2 different types of riding. Show jumping, and Eventing and they both have the different stirrups. And they also come in different sizes.

    There are a variety of boot sizes, and shapes that fit the Eventing and Show Jumping rider.

    There is also a magnetic piece that can be stuck on any boot so that you do not have to buy new boots when purchasing the stirrups. You can simply just add the magnetic piece. This also makes the Boot/Stirrup combinations easy to maintain because they can be easily changed later on.

    Acceptance:

    The Magnetic Stirrups has been approved by many of the national equestrian federations, including the FEI (Federation Equestrian International) and the International Olympic Committee and this is to make sure that all riders of any level can use the boots and stirrups.

    Advertising and testing

    One of the most important ways of promoting the new type of stirrups was that world famous riders personally tested them during daily training, and at shows. This method was expert appraisal because it ensured that the ideas of the expert riders were taken into account when the product was being developed.

    Most of the riders that tested the stirrups, also promoted using it, and today the National Equestrian Team of the USA uses and promotes the Magnetic Stirrup.

    Sources:

    http://www.ontyte.com/

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21FJFAueUXY

    http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_X1-07084