Mouthplate for horses or the like

Claim 1

A mouthplate for insertion into the mouth of a horse or the like for use during such time as the horse wears a bridle having a bit, said mouthplate to prevent the interior cheeks of the horse from being cut or abraded by contacting rough edges of the teeth as pressure is applied to the bit, the mouthplate comprising: a support means, said support means including an inverted u-shaped portion, said u-shaped portion fitting against the roof of the mouth, said support means for positioning between certain teeth of the horse, a flange member, said flange member joined to said support means, a securing means, said securing means comprising a at least one substantially circular flexible finger member, said at least one finger member forming an opening through which a bridle bit can be releasably attached, said securing means being positioned below a portion of said support means and said support means extending forward of said flange member and forward of said securing means whereby said support means is positioned between the canine teeth and the molars of the horse.