Horse Bit

Abstract

The invention relates to horse bit ( 10, 100 ), comprising a mouthpiece ( 20, 120 ) configured to be inserted into a horse's mouth and comprising a first cheek ( 40, 140 ) and a second cheek ( 60, 160 ). The mouthpiece includes a first end ( 21, 121 ) and a second end ( 22, 122 ) and a center portion ( 30, 130 ) between the first end and the second end, wherein the center portion comprises at least one curved portion ( 31, 32; 131, 132 ). Each cheek includes a shank ( 50, 70; 150, 170 ) with an upper arm ( 53, 73; 153, 173 ) and a lower arm ( 54, 74; 154, 174 ) for attachment of reins and a central portion ( 55, 75; 155, 175 ) between the upper arm and the lower arm. The central portion of the first cheek is attached to the first end and the central portion of the second cheek is attached to the second end. Each upper arm extends along a longitudinal axis (A 1 , A 2 ) and the axes of the upper arms define a first plane and wherein the center portion extends in a second plane that is inclined at an angle (α) of between 90° and 180° to the first plane, wherein the angle is measured forward from the upper arm. The invention relates to a horse bit assembly for inserting into a horse's mouth, comprising a first horse bit and a second horse bit wherein the first horse bit is a horse bit as mentioned above.

1 . A horse bit, in particular a curb bit, comprising a mouthpiece configured to be inserted into a horse's mouth and comprising a first cheek and a second cheek,
 wherein the mouthpiece includes a first end and   a second end and a center portion between the first end and the second end,   wherein the center portion comprises at least one curved portion,   wherein each cheek includes a shank with an upper arm and a lower arm for attachment of reins and a central portion between the upper arm and the lower arm,   wherein the central portion of the first cheek is attached to the first end and the central portion of the second cheek is attached to the second end,   wherein each upper arm extends along a longitudinal axis and the axes of the upper arms define a first plane and wherein the center portion extends in a second plane that is inclined at an angle (α) of between 90° and 180° to the first plane, wherein the angle (α) is measured forward from the upper arm.   
     
     
         2 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one curved portion extends in the second plane that is inclined at an angle (α) of between 90° and 180° to the first plane. 
     
     
         3 . The horse bit according to  claim 1  wherein the angle (α) is in a range of about between 100° and 170° 
     
     
         4 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein an extension axis of the first end and/or the second end lies within the first plane. 
     
     
         5 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the center portion has two curved portions. 
     
     
         6 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the center portion has a linear portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal mouthpiece axis 
     
     
         7 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end and second end are curved. 
     
     
         8 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein at the centre of the mouthpiece the maximum distance of the longitudinal axis of the center portion to the first plane is in a range of 10 to 50 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein a contact surface of the mouthpiece comprises at least one surface region having a linear or concave surface section. 
     
     
         10 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the center portion of the mouthpiece has a width being larger than the width of the first end and/or the second end of the mouthpiece. 
     
     
         11 . The horse bit according to  claim 1 , wherein the shank is attached to the first end and/or second end ( 22 ,  122 ) in a rigid or in a pivotable manner. 
     
     
         12 . A horse bit assembly for inserting into a horse's mouth, comprising a first horse bit and a second horse bit wherein the first horse bit is a horse bit according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The horse bit assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the assembly is configured to be inserted into the horse's mouth such that the plane of extension of the center portion of the first horse bit's mouthpiece and the plane of extension of the center portion of the second horse bit's mouthpiece extend substantially parallel to each other or such that the planes intersect at an angle of between 0° and 30°. 
     
     
         14 . The horse bit assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein a center portion of the first horse bit's mouthpiece does not overlap with the center portion of the second horse bit's mouthpiece. 
     
     
         15 . The horse bit assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the assembly is configured to be inserted into the horse's mouth such that the plane of extension of the center portion of the first horse bit's mouthpiece and the plane of extension of the center portion of the second horse bit's mouthpiece extend such that the planes intersect at an angle of between 0° and 10°. 
     
     
         16 . The horse bit according to  claim 2 , wherein the angle (α) is in a range of about between 120° and 140°. 
     
     
         17 . The horse bit according to  claim 2 , wherein the angle (α) is in a range of about between 115° and 135°. 
     
     
         18 . The horse bit according to  claim 4 , wherein the center portion has a linear portion extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal mouthpiece axis, and wherein the linear portion is arranged between two curved portions. 
     
     
         19 . The horse bit according to  claim 6 , wherein the first end and second end are curved. 
     
     
         20 . The horse bit according to  claim 8 , wherein the maximum distance of the longitudinal axis of the center portion to the first plane is in a range of 15 to 25 mm.