Bridle bit

In a bit for horses which includes an elongated mouthpiece provided at opposite ends with respective attachment means for attaching a bridle to the bit, the improvement wherein the mouthpiece comprises, in combination:

• a. a pair of longitudinally extending, substantially rigid arms, each of the arms being connected to a respective one of the attachment means;
• b. a center coupling member disposed between and connected to the arms;
• and
• c. the mouthpiece further including separate, spaced joint means for connecting the center coupling member to each of the arms for universal movement between the coupling member and the respective arms, each of the joint means including a ball and socket joint means permanently attached integral with the coupling member and detachably connected to the associated one of the arms, each ball and socket means joint including a ball integral with the coupling member and a socket means mating with the ball and forming a universal joint therewith, and the coupling member including a substantially cylindrical surface disposed between, and rigidly connected to, the balls of the joint means, and a roller rotatably and slidably arranged on the cylindrical surface, the roller cooperating with the joint means to provide a smooth action and freedom of movement that will permit the bit to function as a pacifier and eliminate such behavior as tongue protruding, teeth grinding, and lip smacking by an associated animal due to extreme nervousness of the animal.