Headgear for directing an animal is disclosed. The headgear includes a bit that includes a pair of rings to which reins of the headgear are to attach; a jointed mouthpiece with a connecting portion adjacent each end for connection to a respective one of the rings such that each ring can rotate through the respective connecting portion, and at least one joint between the connecting portions that allows the mouthpiece to articulate between an undeflected position in which the connecting portions have a maximum separation, and deflected positions in which the separation of the connecting portions is less than the maximum; and a mouthpiece support that extends between the rings, and limits the minimum separation of the connecting portions.

A horse's snaffle bit includes two side rings and a shackle arranged between the two side rings. The shackle has at least one joint and two side portions each of which has an end portion. Each joint is provided as an eyelet which interlocks with a clearance at the end portion of each of the two side portions. Each of the two side portions further has an end with an annular bore formed therein which is arranged distant from the joint to receive one of the two side rings therein. Each of the two side portions has a lip region arranged immediately adjacent to the annular bore, a transitional region, and a projection region. The transitional region provides for a continuous and smooth transition from a substantially round cross section of the lip portion to a substantially non-round cross section of the projection region.

A horse's snaffle bit includes two side rings and a shackle arranged between the two side rings. The shackle has at least one joint and two side portions each of which has an end portion. Each joint is provided as an eyelet which interlocks with a clearance at the end portion of each of the two side portions. Each of the two side portions further has an end with an annular bore formed therein which is arranged distant from the joint to receive one of the two side rings therein. Each of the two side portions has a lip region arranged immediately adjacent to the annular bore, a transitional region, and a projection region. The transitional region provides for a continuous and smooth transition from a substantially round cross section of the lip portion to a substantially non-round cross section of the projection region.