What is this "bit" for?

I tried a horse once with one of these, it has a separate head piece so is not used as a bit, just a device to stop the horse's tongue getting over the bit. The mare I tried also had a waterford as well! I loved her, wondered what I was letting myself in for, bought her, then spent the next couple of years chiro, physio, rebitting, restarting and trying to find the brakes, she was worth it though!
 
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