BRAND
project
research and development for equestrian safety
summary
I developed a passion project focusing on the safety of riders by helping trail guides be better prepared with safety equipment that is seamless and universal between saddles
responsibilities
Product Research
Product Development
Case Study
Manufacturing
Testing
BACKGROUND
the safety concerns of trail riding
I had the privilege to work as an equestrian director at Camp Mivoden for 3 years and during this time, I found areas that could be improved upon while I led out on trail rides. Trail riding is a lot of fun and its a special activity that I got to share with campers. However, if something goes wrong, the lead rider needs to be able to act fast to take care of their riders and keep the horses under control. It is also not uncommon to switch between horses so the solution has to be portable and fit multiple type of saddles.
A saddle bag to fit both English and Western saddles while preparing the rider for inconvenient situations.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Variations between saddles and key focus
Most often, campers are setup to use western saddles because they make the rider feel safer but for advanced riders, we encourage to use english saddles because they give more feedback to the rider using leg aids. Between all saddles, there is a variation between the width of the pommel, placement of the dee ring, varying diameter of the horn, and inconsistent height of the pommel.
The key focus of this product is to fit both english and western saddles, hold a medical kit, hold a radio, phone, and basic organization.
SKETCH
Sketch research and exploration
As I started sketching, I went with a modular system that would hug the pommel of an english saddle yet be able to fit around the horn of a western saddle. Focusing on a clip point for radio mounting, flexibility so it hugs the saddle, and multiple attachment and adjustment points. During this time, I did research sketches of different saddles to better understand the forms I was building around.
BUILDING
THE prototype and numerous detailed mock-ups
While developing this project, I was able to have a saddle to work with in order to make the bad fit perfectly around it. I surrounded myself with reference pictures and sketches of the idea in order to find the best options. Along with this, I was able to reach out to people in the community and borrow their horses to model for me as I made new templates to fit their saddles and horses. Once I had a template that I liked, I moved it into CAD to create a file to laser out acrylic templates so I could make multiple saddle bags in the future.
THE SOLUTION
INTERNAL ORGANIZATION AND MEDICAL BAG SOLUTION
In order to have internal organization, I settled for elastic straps that could hold a phone, radio, or other important items. As for the medical bag, the solution turned into a fold able roll that could quickly deploy from the bag without the need of undoing straps. Inside, it would have elastic straps to hold different tools like scissors and a bag to hold other bandages.
THE SOLUTION
a quick deploying medical bag
The medical roll fits perfectly in one of the side bags and to deploy, you simply pull the red tab which undoes the buttons holding the flap closed. This intern will pull the medical bag out and ready to go.
THE SOLUTION
final product and where it is now
The final product comes out to two 3.5L side bags that feature a quick deploying medical bag. The saddle bag has adjustable straps for the horn, forms to the pommel, attaches to the dee ring for optimal fit and hold down, adjustable bag straps, and includes several radio mounting points, including internal storage. Along with not only being actively tested and used daily at Camp Mivoden equestrian center, I made a detailed CAD model with all needed dimensions for future changes and production.