Flapping tongue advice please.

Nickles1973

Nickles1973

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I have notice recently that George's tongue has started flapping about to the right whenever we're doing any fast work and he's feeling strong. Pretty much whenever I canter out on a hack he'll do it and today I decided to do a bit of riding in the field and he was doing it again. I havent actually felt out of control (yet!!) but he is usually acting up a little when he does it, ie dropping his head and trying to go for it. I ride in a NS team up bit and a cavesson noseband without a flash. So any ideas as to why he's doing it and what I might be able to do to stop it would really be appreciated. I had thought about a drop noseband in the past and wondered what peoples thoughts were on them???
 
Is the bit to big/small/tight for his mouth perhaps? My pony did this with his old bit, he was in a 5''1/2 and it was too big for his mouth and too thick, so he began sticking his tongue out and opening his mouth.

I changed it to a 5'' full cheek, which is slightly thinner and has a better joint (his old one was a nut-cracker type) he now has a french link, which he's a lot happier in and no longer sticks his tongue out. Check your hands when you ride too.

I think it's best to find the problem and solve it, instead of covering it up with a flash and just ignoring it! Best of luck :)
x
 
I've experienced a similar thing. My Little Pony would 'windmill' her tounge out the side of her mouth.

She has a very fleshy toungue with small mouth and I found the french link was hitting the roof of her mouth so she would pull her tounge over the bit to make herself a bit more comfy. She now goes in a single jointed raised mouthpiece and seems much happier.

Have you checked where the bit it sitting? I ask, because it turns out that the problem with mine was exaserbated because the bit was sitting a little too low in her mouth. (Bit of a school boy error on my part but i'm pleased to say it's rectified now :)) Might be worth adjusting the cheek pieces and seeing if that makes any difference.

Hope you get to the bottom of it.
 
I've had an ongoing problem with that for years with Arnie. He puts his tongue over the bit and then sticks it out the side.

I've tried umpteen different bits and nosebands but tightening things up just makes him fight it and then he cant sort it out.

Currently, I am trying new tactics that seem to be working well (fingers frantically crossing here!). He is now in a plain mullen mouth snaffle which is fitted a bit too low for my liking. He also has a loosely fitted drop noseband on to encourage him to keep his mouth shut but its not forcing the issue. I am working on the basis that he can find out for himself that its easier and better to keep your tongue where it should be and the fact that its hanging a bit low means that if he does get his tongue over and out he can sort it out himself.

I'm about a month into this plan and he seems to be getting the hang of it - I've actually had a bit of softening and accepting the bit:D. He is definately far happier with the solid mouthpiece rather than a jointed one.
 
Agree with there probably being discomfort with the bit to cause this.
Maybe get the dentist to check for teeth issues or just mouth injuries : show them the bit and see what they think. I find asking the dentist is easier than trying to guess at what is going on further back in the mouth / how thick the tongue is (tongue may appear thin at the front but when dentist gag in can be seen to be much thicker further back in the mouth) etc.

Also agree with not just strapping the mouth shut but maybe stay open to a loosely fitted 'strapping mouth shut' type noseband once you have found a comfortable bit as the behaviour MAY quickly become partly habitual : I like grackles although they have a reputation for being harsh as my lad likes a loose grackle but will fight a drop, flash or tightened cavesson. Without this he will open his mouth like a whale and ignore me :D but the loose grackle just reminds him its not worth trying the full open mouth gape trick!
 
Thanks for the replies, some interesting points there. He has his teeth done every 6 months as he has a slight overbite and I like the dentist to keep on top of the edges that can cause. His next visit is booked for early June so I doubt if it is a tooth problem.
As for the bit being harsh I would be suprised as the Ns Team up comes highly recommended. I believe it to be designed to not be too harsh but I am happy to be corrected if that is not the case.
As for my hands, I don't feel that I am heavy with them although I am no way a brilliant rider, but this has never been pointed out to me by an instructor. Tbh George doesn't ever really pull or get argumentative in that way. He more seems to duck behind the bit and his tongue flapping is more of an evasion. Which I know points towards the bit maybe being the issue but where do I go for a kinder bit than the team up that won't end up with me being tanked off with? Sorry I have got waffley but more ideas would be appreciated. x
 
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