Having a bit of a tongue issue...

Tiarella

Tiarella

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Hey :D < whaa thaaa?!

Havent posted on here in a while mainly because my little orange one has turned into a happy hacker/fun thing. He doesnt seem to want to play dressage any more so giving him a break and just doing lots of chilled fun things with him with no pressure for either of us. (Also may have a new horse *eeeek* on the scene soon but havent told him that yet!)

Anyway, I ride someones horse for them where I keep mine, a lovely cleveland bay x who is very willing and wants to please. He has lovely paces for a solid thing and we seem to do quite well together (+64% nov level) but only if the judge doesnt mind his tongue issue :p < quite literally!

He has a rather long, big tongue and seems to lack control of it. When riding you dont feel it at all flying out the side of his mouth hitting his cheek but it doesnt look too pretty to watch. He accepts the contact beautifully, works deep and round, and will also work in a more uphill frame. We have tried everything, dentist looked round all mouth, physio looked at whole head/neck/jaw/alignment, vet also investigated too but cant find any problems at all. Tried many different bits/flash/no flash and still get same result. My hands seem to be still in all the videos I watch with an equal contact so not sure its me? We always compare it too the little school children that stick and wobble their tongue around when theyre concentrating.

We are looking to do some easy elems but want to get this issue sorted!

Not sure what i'm asking for other than anyone else had issues like this? Or how to over come issues like this? Duct tape?

Thanks :D Nothing on offer, already eaten everything!
 
I have exactly the same problem and it is very frustrating. I dread to think how many bits, nosebands etc I have tried. After a suggestion on here, much to my surprise a happy mouth Mullen straight bar snaffle is by far the best after spending a fortune on tongue saver bits etc! His dentist also says he has a big tongue and he will hang his tongue out on a loose rein on a hack or just stood in his stable without a bit as well. I have come to the conclusion I will never fully stop it. I have started using a double bridle as just starting medium tests and am using the same mouthpiece for the curb. Some tests are great otherwise get "shame about the tongue-6" rather a lot &#128542;
 
Mavis007 said:
I have exactly the same problem and it is very frustrating. I dread to think how many bits, nosebands etc I have tried. After a suggestion on here, much to my surprise a happy mouth Mullen straight bar snaffle is by far the best after spending a fortune on tongue saver bits etc! His dentist also says he has a big tongue and he will hang his tongue out on a loose rein on a hack or just stood in his stable without a bit as well. I have come to the conclusion I will never fully stop it. I have started using a double bridle as just starting medium tests and am using the same mouthpiece for the curb. Some tests are great otherwise get "shame about the tongue-6" rather a lot &#63006;
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I had this problem when my older boy went into the double bridle, the answer was a mullen mouth weymouth and bridoon.
 
Mavis007 said:
I have exactly the same problem and it is very frustrating. I dread to think how many bits, nosebands etc I have tried. After a suggestion on here, much to my surprise a happy mouth Mullen straight bar snaffle is by far the best after spending a fortune on tongue saver bits etc! His dentist also says he has a big tongue and he will hang his tongue out on a loose rein on a hack or just stood in his stable without a bit as well. I have come to the conclusion I will never fully stop it. I have started using a double bridle as just starting medium tests and am using the same mouthpiece for the curb. Some tests are great otherwise get "shame about the tongue-6" rather a lot &#63006;
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Yes, we have exactly the same problem. He hangs his tongue out even without a bit in just standing in his stable and waves it around haha! Would never ever think to try this bit so will give it a go and see what happens! Do you find it better with/without a flash and tight/loose noseband?
 
I use an eggbutt single jointed bradoon with the Mullen mouth curb in the double. I have definitely come to the conclusion he is worse with a French link or lozenge, I think he just plays with them making his tongue worse. Obviously with the double bridle he just has a tightish (but can still get 2 fingers underneath) crank noseband. With the snaffle I do use a fairly tight flash. I tried without and he got far worse....
 
rachaelstar said:
Yes, we have exactly the same problem. He hangs his tongue out even without a bit in just standing in his stable and waves it around haha! Would never ever think to try this bit so will give it a go and see what happens! Do you find it better with/without a flash and tight/loose noseband?
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We also have this problem - I'll be watching this thread with interest. I've just had dentist and back checked - nothing going on in those departments! Mine has a kind of 'lizard' tongue going on. Not attractive!
 
Has your dentist put a "bit groove" into his teeth?
We had a problem of a big tongue. She wouldn't put it out, but her mouth would open sometimes because she just didn't have the room for her tongue and two bits. When she came to us, she was in KK's, far too big so swapped her into much smaller bits, and the shanks on the weymouth moved independently, so it didnt move it too much in her mouth. Much softer and happier!

Whats he like if you pump him with polos/sugar after you've put his bridle on? Does he get a frothy mouth at all, it may not solve it, but could at least hide it a little. :o
 
This morning I rode him in a mullen mouth metal pelham. I dont have a straight bar/mullen snaffle so just rode on top rein and loose curb. It 100% made a difference to start with when he was getting used to it but then we did get a couple of tongue wiggles half way through schooling session. We didnt have a flash on so will try this next time when I use a straight snaffle. I also find he does curl into the left rein when on the left rein and this is the side where his tongue sticks out most. If I hold the right rein contact more to make him straighter this seems to improve things, but then it is a fine line between keeping him straight and then crooked to the outside.

Ive never heard of a Sprenger turnado so will google now!

What do you mean by a 'bit groove' glamourdol? Never heard of this?
 
suzysparkle said:
Sprenger turnado?? Only jointed bit mine doesn't poke his tongue out with. Dressage deluxe do a stainless steel one.

http://www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk/Shop.asp?viewmode=vp&pid=974
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I've just looked at this bit on the website. It does mention good for stopping tongue getting over the bit but what about tongue out in general?

I have, over the last few days, tried a Happy Mouth Straight Bar - no tongue for the first 10 mins or so and then out again when he appeared to get used to it. I've just done a dressage test this morning with a flash noseband and the original bit NS Verbindend so waiting to get my sheet to see what the comments are about tongue being out or not? I didn't have anyone with me to watch so I'm not sure.
 
I know they're not based in the UK (unless they have offices there now!), but try emailing bomber bits with your problem. They'll suggest a bit, and if you don't get on with it, they'll exchange it for another until you do find one.

They've been incredibly helpful with us, and got it spot on for both ponies. Might be worth a shot.
 
My own horse is a bit anti tongue pressure too, and when I emailed bomber their suggestion for a dressage legal bit was the "lock up" snaffle. Don't know if that helps!
 
Well I found that the Turnado did stop my Horse fussing with his tongue. I normally ride him in a Ported Dalehead but that isn't dressage legal. Interestingly I tried a bombers bit and he hated it, despite it being quite similar. In most bits he sticks his tongue out and gets it over the bit. He has a big tongue and low palate. The Turnado and the Dalehead are the best I have tried, and I tried pretty much everything...hippus, myler, sprenger KK, neue schule, bombers, mikmar and all the 'normal' bits.
 
I had a similar problem with my mare but she would keep putting her tongue above the bit which would then ruin all chance of a contact! My advice would be to try a bit with tongue pressure and then one without tongue pressure and get someone to watch you on the ground. You may find the tongue action less in one. My mare was best in a double bridle it was as if she was searching for it.
Also ignore the rules about noseband and flash tightness. All experienced dressage instructors and riders will tell you to do the noseband and flash as tight as you can. It sounds cruel but it works.
Mia
 
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