CURVE-CONFORMING SENSOR ARRAY PAD AND METHOD OF MEASURING SADDLE PRESSURES ON A HORSE

A sensor array pad (14) for sensing the pressure distribution under a saddle (11) on the back of a horse (12) includes a membrane (25) made of first and second, identical substantially nonstretchable, flexible membrane portions (24). A plurality (16) of sensors (18) are distributed substantially uniformly on the membrane (25), with each sensor (18) occupying a predetermined surface area (60). Conductors (62) are mounted on the membrane (25) to extend between the sensors (18) and a position along the perimeter of the associated membrane portion (24) to provide for external connection with monitoring equipment. The membrane portions (24) further each have a pair (46, 48) of slits extending from a mid-region spaced from a respective facing edge outwardly in diverging directions along lines passing outside the predetermined areas (60) of the membrane (25) occupied by the sensors (18). Pressures sensed by the sensors (18) are input to a computer (76) which generates a display of the pressure distribution.