A novel, therapeutic horse-riding saddle aid that improves and enhances
therapy through movement and connection with the horse is about to be
launched on the market thanks to a five year project and the support of the
TTO at IT Carlow.
The IP for the project arose as part of a final year industrial design project
which led to the invention that was protected through the TTO at IT
Carlow. The invention went on to win the People’s Choice Award and
Judges Choice Award at the 2015 Universal Design Grand Challenge.
As part of the prize a Commercial Feasibility Fund from Enterprise Ireland
was awarded.
Subsequently a patent application was filed by the Institute of Technology
and in 2018 the patent for the invention was exclusively licensed to
Thoroughbred Remedies Ireland Limited, Ireland’s largest equestrian shop
and equine supplement manufacturer. The company is soon to launch the
new horse-riding saddle aid for use by people with a variety of physical,
cognitive, emotional and development disabilities. This represents a
departure for the company into a new, associated line of products.
Speaking of the project, Philip Masterson from the company TRI Equestrian
said, “Accessing innovative products through the direction of the TTO office
at IT Carlow provides us with sound opportunities to expand our range into
new markets.”
Speaking of the project, the TTO Director at IT Carlow said, “It is very
rewarding to see a project that was supported by the TTO and nurtured
from an undergraduate concept into a commercial product which will
provide real benefits to those that use it.”
IT Carlow continues to work with the company to refine product
development and prototyping for commercial scale-up.
Published: 2018
Find out more about working with third-level research