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.