WO2017162657A1

WO2017162657A1 - Apparatus and method for cooling horses

Info

Publication number: WO2017162657A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/056674
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilfried Blocken; Jos NOORDHUIZEN
Original assignee: Wilfried Blocken; Noordhuizen Jos
Priority date: 2016-03-21
Filing date: 2017-03-21
Publication date: 2017-09-28

Abstract

The cooling apparatus for horses or other animals used for riding has a rack which has a left and a right side part (20, 22), a front door (24) and a rear door (26). A water sprayer (46) is arranged approximately centrally between the two side parts (20, 22) and the two doors (24, 26) at a height of at least 150 cm. Said water sprayer has a downwardly directed water outlet. At least one fan (48) is arranged on the rack adjustably in height and angular orientation above the front door (24). Said fan blows an air flow at a weak speed onto a central region of the rack where the horse's back is located during operation.

Description

Apparatus and method for cooling horses

The invention relates to a device and a method for cooling horses or other mounts.

From US 2010/0251969 AI a cooling device for horses is known, it has a mobile, insulated container A, in which water, such as chilled water, is located. From this container, water can be removed and directed via nozzles on a horse, which is located next to the container.

The German utility model DE 8 803 706 Ul describes a device for cooling extremities of a horse. It uses downwardly open tubes. The horse stands with his legs in these downwardly open pipes. From the side walls of the pipes, water flows in through nozzles and in each case onto a leg which is located in the pipe.

The German utility model DE 8 900 025 describes a device for cooling and massaging the legs of horses with water. A trough has a water-permeable bottom. Under this trough a collecting space is provided, in which water is. A pump pumps the water from the plenum via a pipe and through nozzles into the interior of the trough. The legs are massaged.

German utility model DE 29 818 305 describes a device for treating horses. In a substantially sealed cabin, an air temperature can be set only in the range of 20 to 100 ° C and the humidity in the range of 30 to 70 °. It is a kind of sauna. A cooling does not take place. The German Utility Model 20 2015 100 684 Ul describes a mobile cabin, it can be closed by a door. In the cabin there is a device for generating a mist, in particular salt mist, and also a dry air blower. The invention relates in particular to cooling devices for riding horses, in particular for sport horses. In particular, it is intended for use in warmer areas of the earth, such as southern Europe. In particular, the abatement device is used in competitions in the area of versatility and in similar equestrian events in which the horse is heavily stressed and required. Such a horse is usually heated significantly at the end of the competition, it often has heat stress. This stress occurs preferably after physical effort when the ambient temperature is above 20 ° C and at the same time the humidity is relatively high, for example over 70%. The horse can then no longer release its body heat to the outside sufficiently, it loses body fluid and shows failures of his biological system in the heart, blood circulation, respiration, liver and brain. There are several simple clinical tests, such as a skin temperature thermography test, to prove that the horse is suffering from heat stress. Any heat-stressed horse loses capacity and this can even worsen during the next heat stress. Accordingly, it is an economic, socio-economic and health task to enable a heat-stressed horse to surrender excess body heat without much health risk and as gently and quickly as possible.

This is where the invention begins. It has set itself the task of specifying a cooling direction for horses, thereby improving the previously known cooling device, such that the treatment of the horse targeted and significantly less use of persons, e.g. for moving the nozzles over the horse.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. The device has a frame which is dimensioned so that a horse is received in the interior of the frame. In each case, a maximum of 50, in particular a maximum of 30 cm remain laterally free, in length, the frame is so dimensioned that it is preferably at most 50, in particular a maximum of 30 cm shorter than the hull length of a normal horse. This means that the horse is with his head is outside the frame, also part of the neck is outside the frame.

The frame is set up on a reference plane, for example an earth bank. The horse enters the frame through a door, namely the front door. The rear door remains closed, the horse is then essentially fixed in the frame, it has little freedom of movement. It can not move very much forward and backward, it also has little freedom of movement on the side. It can not turn in the frame.

The description uses a right-handed xyz coordinate system. The x-axis is parallel to the right side panel and in the direction from the front door to the rear door. The y-axis is parallel to the front door toward the left side panel. The reference plane on which the frame rests lies in the xy plane. The z-axis goes up from this reference plane, parallel to the side bar, which is above the lower right corner of the rack. The side parts run parallel to the xz plane. The doors run parallel to the yz plane. The water sprayer is at a height of at least 150 cm above the reference plane, preferably higher. The maximum height is about 300 cm. Preferably, the water sprayer is 50 cm to 150 cm above the back of a horse or above the stick size of the horse. The water sprayer has a main exit direction, it runs parallel to the negative z-direction. The water sprayer sprays in an angular range, for example conical. The angle of the exiting water is less than plus / minus 30 °, in particular less than plus / minus 20 °, calculated from the z direction. The angle is so limited that essentially all the water hits the back of the horse and only a little, if possible no water passes the side of the horse. Preferably, the side parts have an extension in the x direction of 120 to 250, preferably 160 to 210 cm. The doors preferably have a width of 60 to 130, preferably 80 to 115 cm in the y-direction. Preferably, the doors and / or the side parts have a crossbar which is located in a z-direction measured height of 110 to 140 cm above the reference plane. Preferably, this crossbar is equal to the horse's shoulder. ·

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for cooling a heated horse using the cooling device according to claim 1. In this method, the horse is first led through the front door into the frame, the front door is then closed again, the rear door remains closed , Now, in a first step, the water spray is used to direct water onto the horse's back. This step is carried out for at least a few minutes. Then the wet fur of the horse can be freed from the water, for example by wiping the water or by dry rubbing. In a second step, a weak stream of air is then directed through the at least one fan from behind on the horse's back, this step is also carried out for a few minutes. Finally, the rear door is opened, the horse is led out of the frame.

The water sprayer sprays finely distributed water onto the horse's back, and the water is preferably finely and in particular finely atomised. It absorbs the heat and removes it, so the horse is cooled over a large area and quickly. This process takes a certain amount of time. After that, the horse can be dried at least a little, for example, the water are stroked out of the coat. In the next step, the at least one ventilator is used. He directs a stream of air at very low wind speed on horseback.

Preferably, the parts of the frame are rapidly releasably connected to each other. They can be connected for example by screw or plug connections. In this way, the four main parts of the frame can be easily transported and also easily built on a job site, such as a competition. The four main parts, so the two side panels and the two doors are preferably flat parts that can be easily transported. Preferably, a drip pan is provided, which is located in the frame between the side panels and the doors and as far as possible fills a large part of the base of the frame. It rests on the reference plane. The drip pan has side walls, these are preferably a maximum of 30, in particular a maximum of 20 cm high. In the drip tray, an outlet and / or a

Pump device may be provided. The collected water can be recycled and be used again. The drip pan is inserted into the frame or lies before its construction on the reference plane. It is preferably not connected to the frame. It is designed so that the horse can enter the bottom of the drip pan and it is designed accordingly solid. Preferably, an elastic mattress or mat is provided, which is located on the bottom of the sump. It is made of an elastomeric foam, for example.

Preferably, the side parts and / or the doors are largely permeable. They are in particular formed grid-shaped. They have an area that is more than 50% open, in particular more than 80% open. This means that the surface of the side parts to less than 50%, in particular less than 20% is formed by solid material. Preferably, two fans are provided, which are both above the front door and offset from each other. They are preferably oriented so that their airflows cross each other. This should be done especially in the area of the horse's back. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the other claims and the following description of two non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In this drawing: FIG. 1: shows a perspective view of a first embodiment in the form of a non-removable frame with a housing therein. FIG

Horse,

2 shows a perspective view of a second, removable and therefore mobile embodiment of the device for cooling, viewing direction according to the co-ordinate system and FIG

Fig. 3: a perspective view in another view of the device according to Figure 2, the viewing direction is in turn obtained from the coordinate system. The horse cooling device according to the invention has a frame which has four sides. The frame defines a substantially cuboid space, in this room should be a horse, see Fig. 1. The frame has a left side panel 20 and a right side panel 22. Both are preferably identical. These side parts 20, 22 are parallel to each other. Their distance is 80 to 120 cm, preferably it is in the range of about 1 m.

Transverse to the two side parts 20, 22 extend two doors, namely a front door 24 and a rear door 26. These doors 24, 26 are each arranged between the side parts 20, 22 and connect them. The doors 24, 26 can be opened to the outside, not to the inside. The doors 24, 26 have hinges, it is advantageous to provide the hinges on different side panels. Alternatively, the hinges can also be arranged on a door frame, which is connected to the side parts 20, 22, see FIGS. 2 and 3.

As can be seen from the figures, in both embodiments, the side parts 20, 22 and the doors 24, 26 are substantially flat parts, their thickness is in the range of 2 to 8 cm, preferably about 6 cm.

The side parts 20, 22 are preferably 120 to 250 cm, in particular 160 to 210 cm long, the length is measured in the x direction. In the z direction, the height of the side parts 20, 22 is largely uncritical, a dimension in the range of 40 to 80, for example about 60 cm is considered favorable. The side parts 20, 22 above preferably have a crossbar 34 which is at a height of about 110 to 140 cm above the reference plane. This height corresponds approximately to the height of the horse shoulder. In other words, the height is about 60 to 90% of the horse's stick size. As stick size of a horse is assumed 140 to 180 cm.

The frame has at least one top bar 39, which is located significantly above the horse, especially at a height above 200 cm. In the embodiment of Figure 1 belongs to the side parts 20, 22 each have an upper top bar 39, which has an excess length 28. The top bar 39 is supported by side bars 30, 31, which also each limit the side part 20, 22 and also form feet 32, with which the frame rests on the reference plane. The front side bars 30 and the rear side bars 31 are each connected by at least one lower bar 35. In the exemplary embodiments shown, this lies at a height at a height of 40 to 100 cm above the reference plane. It runs in the x direction.

Between the two rear side bars 31 and the two front side bars 30, a door 24, 26 is provided, namely a front door 24 and a rear door 26. These doors 24, 26 may be identical. However, it is preferred that the rear door 24 terminate in the z-direction at a height which is at least 10, preferably 20 cm higher than the upper edge of the front door 26. Below, the doors preferably have a distance of 40 to 100 cm from the reference plane. Preferably, this distance, which is determined in the z-direction, the same for both doors 24, 26. Preferably, the lower distances for the two side parts 20, 22 and the two doors 24, 26 are the same.

The horse enters the frame through the front door 24 and exits the frame through the rear door 26. As the embodiment of Figure 1 shows, a horse is substantially taken up by the frame, the horse's head projects out of the frame in the x-direction , He is in front of the back door 26. The horse is not narrowed by the frame, his look forward is clear. However, the frame offers the horse little lateral freedom of movement, the freedom of movement is between 10 and 40 cm on each side, so in the y-direction. The frame also offers little space for the horse to the front and back, while the free space in the front and rear is between 10 and 40 cm.

The side parts 20, 22 and the doors 24, 26 are filled after the first exporting approximately ^¬ example, for example with a metallic lattice work. Such may be present, but need not exist. This also applies to the second embodiment, here, the vertical bars can be arranged in any other way or completely omitted. It can also be provided at this point a network. In the second exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the two doors 24, 26 are each realized by a frame 36 and by a door leaf 38 that can be moved in this frame. In contrast to the first embodiment, a frame is provided for each door 24, 26, which has the side bars 30, 31, which also form the feet 32 here. The frames of both doors 24, 26 are substantially identical, preferably completely identical. The door leaves 38 differ as in the first embodiment, preferably by a different height, but they can also be the same height. The side parts 20, 22 can now be delimited by end rods which, together with the transverse rod 34 and the lower rod 35, form a frame. In the first embodiment, the local side bars 30, 31 take over the function of the end rods.

On each frame 36, namely on one of its side bars 30 and 31, means for releasably securing the side parts 20, 22 are provided. The attachment can be done by a screw, but it can also be done by hooking or plugging.

Preferably, at least one side part 20, 22 is designed as a door which can be swung outward. For this purpose, it is connected to one frame 36 connected to a pivot axis extending in the z-direction. At the other, free end, the side part is then connected to the local frame 36, for example, the side part 20, 22 hooked there, be attached or otherwise determined. It is alternatively also possible to provide at least one side part 20, 22 with hooks, which hook openings are assigned to the side bars 30 and 31, respectively. Thus, the Seltenteil be pulled upwards out of the frame.

The frames 36 are each made of round tube which is bent in a U-shape and made of a flat connecting part 41. The connecting part 40 is located below, in the region of the reference plane. It connects the two free legs of the U with each other. The side parts are preferably limited by round tube. The two frames 36 are connected according to the figures 2 and 3 by an upper top bar 40. It runs parallel to the x-direction and centrally above the side parts 20, 22. It is releasably connected to the frame 36, they determined the distance between the two frames 36, so that the unit of two frame 36 and the top bar 40 is also without side panels or only with a side panel upright. On the reference plane is a tub 40. It is preferably made of plastic. It has a flat bottom and a circumferential wall of about 10 to 30 cm in height. The tub 40 is located within a rectangle whose corners are defined by the feet 32. It is advantageous to provide holding means for the tub 40, which hinder a move. For this purpose, a holding part 42 advantageously projects from the connecting parts 40 of the frame 36 toward the trough 40. As a result, the trough is fixed at least in the x-direction, preferably also in the y-direction.

In the tub 40 is a mattress 44 which covers the bottom of the tub 40. It is preferably made of a compact plastic foam, as used for example for fall protection plates on children's playgrounds. It is about 2 to 8 inches thick.

On the single top bar 39 of the second embodiment or between the two upper top bars 39 of the first embodiment, a water spray 46 is attached. It has a downwardly directed, in the negative z-direction, directed Hauptsprührichtung and sprayed within a range bounded by a pyramid, for example, by a cone is limited. The exit angle is such that a large part, in particular more than 80 and in particular more than 90% of the sprayed water remains within the side parts 20, 22 and the doors 24, 26. The water sprayer 46 is disposed at a height of at least 150 cm above the reference plane. Preferably, its height is between 220 and 250 cm. An upper limit can be specified with 300 cm ^¬ to. The water sprayer 46 is preferably arranged centrally between the side parts 20, 22. It is preferably also located centrally between the doors 24, 26. It is advantageous, however, the water sprayer displaceable in the x direction, z. B. on the upper top bar 39 according to the second Ausführungsbeispie) to be arranged so that its position can be changed preferably in a middle third of the length of the top bar 39 in the x direction. Preferred as water spray 46 sprinklers are used, as they are also used for fire protection systems. Preferably, the water spray 46 has a rotating, apertured and / or slotted disk through which the water passes, thereby being crushed and scattered.

In the vicinity and above the front door 24 at least one fan 48 is provided, preferably two fans 48 are provided. For this purpose, a support arm 50 is releasably attached to a side bar 30, which can be made pivotally on the one hand in the height, ie in the z-direction, but also on the side bar 30, see arrows. He has a receptacle 47 for the fan 48. As a fan 48 fans are used with a large area, for example at least 20 x 20 cm, preferably at least 40 x 40 cm base area of the exit area, or with a corresponding diameter. In other words, the rotating rotor blades of the fan 48 have at least a radial dimension of 15 cm, preferably at least 20 cm. Due to the relatively large fans, it is possible to produce an air flow with a large cross-section, but very low wind speed. This air flow is directed essentially in the x-direction, it is oriented so that the central rays of the air flow preferably cross, in particular approximately above a horse's back. This means that the central jet of a fan 48 is oriented so as to hit a point above the center of the tub 40 at about the height of the stick. Preferably, the fan 48 is designed so that its central jet is directed at an angle to the z-direction of 60 to 80, preferably 70 ° down.

The air flow preferably has a speed of less than 1, preferably less than 0.5 and in particular less than 0.2 m / s. Also below 0.1 m / s is possible. The volume of the conveyed air is usually at 2 to 10, in particular 5 to 7 m ³ / s.

Finally, the cooling device has a control unit 52. It is releasably connected to the frame, for example attached to a side bar, preferably on a side bar 30, 31 of the rear door 26. About the control unit 52, the water spraying can be switched on and off, also can the time be prescribed the water spraying. It is also possible to switch the operation of the fans on and off and their duration.

The cooling device for horses or other mounts has a frame having left and right side members 20, 22, front door 24 and rear door 26. A water sprayer 46 is arranged approximately centrally between the two side parts 20, 22. It can be located 30% of the clear distance between the two side parts 20, 22 plus mid-distance. The water sprayer 46 is arranged approximately centrally between the two doors 24, 26 at a height of at least 150 cm. It may be located 50% of the clear distance between the two doors 24, 26 plus mid-center. It can be arranged at a height that differs from 150 cm plus-plus 50%. The height is adjusted to the height of the back of the mount. The water sprayer 46 is preferably 30 to 80 centimeters above the back. The water sprayer 46 has a downwardly directed water outlet. It is designed, for example, similar to a shower head. At least efn fan 48 is disposed on the frame, it is adjustable in height and angular orientation and preferably disposed above the front door 24. He blows a stream of air at a low speed on a central area of the frame, where is in the operation of horseback. The fan 48 is arranged so that the air flow reaches the horse's back.

Cooling device for horses with a frame having a left and a right side part 22, a front door 24 and a rear door 26, with a Wassersprüher 46, the center between the two side parts 20, 22 and the two doors 24, 26 in a Height of at least 150 cm and has a downwardly directed water outlet, and with at least one fan 48, which is adjustably arranged in height and angular orientation above the front door 24 on the frame and a low-velocity air flow to a central region of the Gestells, where is located in the operation of horseback. Bezygszeichenliste left side panel

right side part

front door

back door

Oversize

side bar

foot

crossbar

lower bar

frame

door

Topstange

tub

connecting part

holding part

mattress

water sprayer

admission

fan

Beam

control unit

Claims

claims

A cooling device for horses or other mounts, comprising a frame having left and right side panels (22), front doors (24) and rear doors (26) with a water sprayer (46) centered between the two Side parts (20, 22) and center plusminus 30% between the two doors (24, 26) is arranged at a height of at least 150 cm and has a downwardly directed water outlet, and with at least one fan (48) which is adjustable in height and angular alignment above the front door (24) is located on the frame and directs a low-velocity air flow to a central region of the frame where the horseback is in operation.

2. Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the side parts (20, 22) and the doors (24, 26) releasably, preferably pluggable and / or screw-connected to each other.

3. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side parts (20, 22) and / or the doors (24, 26) are flat parts with a length and a width dimension, which are each at least ten times as large as the fat.

4. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two side parts (20, 22) and / or the two doors (24, 26) are substantially identical.

5. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side parts (20, 22) are 120 to 250 cm, in particular 160 to 210 cm long.

6. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doors (24, 26) have a width of 60 to 130 cm, preferably 80 to 115 cm.

7. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the doors (24, 26) and / or the side parts (20, 22) have a crossbar (34) extending at a height of 110 to 140 cm above the reference plane , especially soil, is located.

8. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling device also comprises a trough (40) which is arranged in the frame between the side parts (20, 22) and the doors (24, 26) and the frame spanned by the horizontal Area substantially fills.

9. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame has at least one upper top bar (39) which extends parallel to the reference plane and is arranged at a height of 200 cm to 270 cm, in particular 220 cm to 240 cm.

10. learn to cool a heated horse or other riding animal using a cooling device according to one of the preceding ^¬ claims, characterized by the following steps a) a horse is first led in through the front door (24) in the frame, the front door ( 24) is then closed again, the rear door (26) remains closed,

b) it is in a first step by means of the water spray (46) directed water on the horse's back, this is done for at least a few minutes, c) then the wet fur of the horse can be freed from water, for example by wiping the water or by dry rubbing .

d) in a second step, a weak stream of air is then directed through the at least one fan (48) from behind on the horse's back, this is done for a few minutes,

e) finally, the rear door (26) is opened, the horse is led out of the frame.