1. Field
The invention is in the field of restraining chutes for livestock, which restrain an animal from movement during certain handling or doctoring of the animal. It is particularly concerned with chutes designed to restrain horses.
2. State of the Art
Restraining chutes in general use today all have some form of stationary side and front restraining structure, and rear restraining structure which is openable and closeable to allow entry and exit of the animal to be restrained. Some chutes provide an openable and closeable front restraining structure in the form of a rail or rails, which are slid horizontally through brackets that hold them in horizontal restraining position, or in the form of gate structure which pivots outwardly.
A major problem with present restraining chutes is that it is not uncommon for an animal being restrained, such as a horse, to rear up and get his front legs over the front restraining structure and be hung up thereon. If the front cannot be opened, it is extremely difficult to lift the animal up and to get its legs back over the front restraining structure. Even in instances in which such front restraining structure is openable, as in some of the chutes presently available, it is difficult to open such structure under the weight of the animal. Thus, it is difficult to slide a rail horizontally out of its holding brackets with the weight of the animal bearing down on it, and it is almost impossible to open a gate outwardly under similar circumstances.
An additional problem with present restraining chutes is that, if an animal falls down, it is very difficult to get the animal back up or to remove the animal from the chute in its down position.