Flapping Tongue!

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Leanne1980

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When I take up any contact and ask my mare to soften and come round, her tongue appears outside her mouth, always on the left. Sometimes it's just pinched between her teeth and lips but more recently it literally flaps around. She is dry mouthed and resistant to softening. Anyone experienced this before?
 
This can be due to pain in the body, or ill fitting tack causing discomfort. I could be because its tongue is too thick for the type of mouthpiece you have in its mouth. It can also be a neurological sign as was the case with my friends horse who used to do this. Sticking its tongue out is classed as an evasion.
 
All usual checks have been done multiple times in the last 10 months since I have owed her. She is bitted in a 10mm happy tongue bit which is ported to reduce tongue pressure. Tried Riding forward and slowly, everyone who rises her gets the same :( I think it's pain but don't know where to start looking. Bute doesn't help. What was the outcome of your friends horse?
 
The one horse I knew which did as you describe was finally diagnosed with kissing spines after x-ray. This horse occassionally showed signs of being 'cold backed' as well though albeit it could go for months with just the tongue issue then would have a bronk then be fine again for ages .
Is your horse showing any other signs behavioural or otherwise ? How long have you had the horse if it's something they have always done it may be a habit from previous pain which has been treated but if they have started doing it whilst with you it's definitely worth investigating the cause
 
I got her in Jan this year following a 5* vetting and Chiro check having lost my young mare in the October before with kissing spine. Since having this new mare contact has been an issue. If you hold her to tight she will rear. Rarely bucks but doesn't always work from behind. Chiro finds soreness in her left shoulder which fits with the way she carries herself as I struggle to get her to work into both reins. She grabs the but on the left tightly. She is willing but just will not soften and give in her mouth and jaw.
 
Leanne1980 said:
What was the outcome of your friends horse?
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She tried a thinner mouthpiece but it made no difference. She bought a tongue guard for it but didn't like using it very much as she felt he was doing it for a reason. Sadly it was eventually diagnosed with wobblers syndrome which went undetected for a long time by the professionals that came out to look at it. Did the chiro detect any tightness in your horses neck?
 
Leanne1980 said:
I got her in Jan this year following a 5* vetting and Chiro check having lost my young mare in the October before with kissing spine. Since having this new mare contact has been an issue. If you hold her to tight she will rear. Rarely bucks but doesn't always work from behind. Chiro finds soreness in her left shoulder which fits with the way she carries herself as I struggle to get her to work into both reins. She grabs the but on the left tightly. She is willing but just will not soften and give in her mouth and jaw.
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From that description, not working from behind, inconsistent contact and threatening to rear I would be definitely thinking pain. My guess would be back or hocks or a combination of both. Has she had a work up from the vet ? If they are bilaterally lame behind it can be hard to spot.
Everyone had their own ideas on how much veterinary input to have and when but as a starting point I think I would have a lamness work up and possibly x-rays off back. Your other option could be to turn away for a bit and see if that helps but not all conditions improve with turnout. It's a personal descision but you are obviously concerned. I hope you can get some answers
 
Thank you. I had booked her in for vets on Thursday for back xrays. I am also worried about suspensory issues. She has seen a vet who has watched her move who didn't feel there where any lameness present but she was very on her toes! My concern is ks and psd :( x
 
Have you thought about trying a bitless bridle just to rule out pain in the mouth? Maybe somebody could lend you one? I rode my 17hh gelding in one. He was working Advanced Medium at home but got a mouth injury which wasn't going to heal with a bit in his mouth. I really enjoyed riding him the bitless bridle - even had my dressage lessons with him wearing it. You must be careful not to restrict the horse though. Hope you get it sorted. Good luck.
 
Yes, had 4 visits from Chiro since I have owned her and issues always in left shoulder, neck muscles and now turning head/ jowl to right x
 
Leanne1980 said:
Thank you. I had booked her in for vets on Thursday for back xrays. I am also worried about suspensory issues. She has seen a vet who has watched her move who didn't feel there where any lameness present but she was very on her toes! My concern is ks and psd :( x
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This would be my concern too and hence mentioned the bilateral lameness. My vet declared one of mine sound....until they bone scanned, found hot spots, nerve blocked and voila....4/10 bilaterally lame horse !
Hopefully you will be lucky and it will be none of the above but at least you can rule it out. Keep us updated, it's hard when your going down the 'something not right but not showing lame' road
 
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