Curious tongue behaviour...a musing

[Dottyfordylan]

Since my horse has been at his present yard (18 months, before hand he was living out so didnt notice it so much) when he is in his stable he rolls his tongue and sticks it out the side of his mouth, opens and closes it and rubs his tongue up his teeth, generally pulling very unatractive faces but all evolving his tongue in some way.

Dentist said his teeth are very good and didnt need a great deal doing to them last time. He eats poos etc all fine.

I wondered if I should be concerned or is this just him, do you think there is any connection with windsucking or such like, and do you think it would have any impact on what bit he has in?...

 

[muff747]

You do know he shouldn't eat poos

 

[Dottyfordylan]

You do know he shouldn't eat poos

Oh the shame someone in NL just pointed that out

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

DforD, do you know much about his life before you had him? I'd guess that it's a habit borne out of pure boredom, probably when stabled for long periods. You often see odd mouthing habits develop in colts that are being kept entire until they can be graded. So they often have no turnout and end up starting behaviours to pass the time. In reality, some of these odd mouthing behaviours are actually borderline stereotypies. Glad your lad is in a safe and caring home now x

 

[Nari]

One of mine does this when he's waiting for feed or if he isn't one of teh first to be turned out. He's also a cribber, yet he never cribs at times when he tongue rolls & only tongue rolls at the times I mentioned. I don't really understand it but suspect it's an impatience thing.

 

[Dottyfordylan]

DforD, do you know much about his life before you had him? I'd guess that it's a habit borne out of pure boredom, probably when stabled for long periods. You often see odd mouthing habits develop in colts that are being kept entire until they can be graded. So they often have no turnout and end up starting behaviours to pass the time. In reality, some of these odd mouthing behaviours are actually borderline stereotypies. Glad your lad is in a safe and caring home now x

I know nothing of his history only a bit of hear say/guess work

 

[Chloe-V]

My daughters horse does this when he's stressed or worried.

He had a bit of a 'history' before we got him aged 5 years - he's now 16 years and still does it under stress but we can usually work out what's bothering him now and remove the problem (does tend to be the same thing causing it all the time.)

 

[JanetGeorge]

DforD, do you know much about his life before you had him? I'd guess that it's a habit borne out of pure boredom, probably when stabled for long periods. You often see odd mouthing habits develop in colts that are being kept entire until they can be graded. So they often have no turnout and end up starting behaviours to pass the time. In reality, some of these odd mouthing behaviours are actually borderline stereotypies. Glad your lad is in a safe and caring home now x

Agree. I have a mare who developed this habit when on protracted box rest - she's been living out for 4 years now (except for 3 weeks of pre-foaling nights and one week of post foaling nights) but she still does it quite regularly in the field - especially when awaiting tractor delivery of haylage. It is a stereotypie - and however you manage him, he'll probably continue to do it!