Lolling tongue,reasons and bit options?

[HoHum]

My little cob has started lolling his tongue. He has a fairly small, fleshy mouth, so not much room for a bit but until recently has been happy with lightweight loose ring french link snaffle for everyday and a french link three ring gag for hunting. I put him in french link pelham in summer for showing, and that when it started..he sticks his tongue out to usually the left at random times, even though I abandoned the pelham after a few trys. .

He has been looked at by vet and had his teeth done, so don't think there's anything physiological, is it a learnt habit?

Ideally I'd like to find something a little more than a snaffle for hunting, but I don't think he needs the three ring gag... so any ideas on what may suit?

Thanks

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Did your vet do his teeth? Or did you have an EDT. IME vets don't on the whole do as good a job as an EDT, so if your vet did the teeth, I'd ask an EDT for a 2nd opinion. Otherwise it just sounds as though he hasn't got enough room in his mouth for his current bit. You might need to try a few different ones from a bit bank. I'd go for the slimmest available.

 

[horseygirl28]

My little cob has started lolling his tongue. He has a fairly small, fleshy mouth, so not much room for a bit but until recently has been happy with lightweight loose ring french link snaffle for everyday and a french link three ring gag for hunting. I put him in french link pelham in summer for showing, and that when it started..he sticks his tongue out to usually the left at random times, even though I abandoned the pelham after a few trys. .

He has been looked at by vet and had his teeth done, so don't think there's anything physiological, is it a learnt habit?

Ideally I'd like to find something a little more than a snaffle for hunting, but I don't think he needs the three ring gag... so any ideas on what may suit?

Thanks

You dont need to change the bit, use a different nose band. A high ring mexican grackle nose band will prevent him from getting his tongue out.

 

[tallyho!]

You dont need to change the bit, use a different nose band. A high ring mexican grackle nose band will prevent him from getting his tongue out.

I'm so sorry but I don't agree that preventing the horse from sticking his tongue out is fair. He's quite obviously doing it for a reason.

A jointed pelham is the most useless invention, it negates the whole point of a pelham in the first place. Apart from checking his mouth for obvious reasons like teeth, lips on bars, and trappings.. is it high enough in the mouth, is the curb too tight?

What about a ported pelham? You'll probably find a fleshy mouthed horse has a high palate so this suits and lets him swallow and gives room for a big tongue.

Contrary to popular belief, even though a lozenge helps with the nutcracker effect, the whole thing hurts the bars as it pulls in a 'u' shape if he's strong making the horse stiffen the tongue and fix his poll. You try it.

 

[HoHum]

thank you all
I should have said he's usually in a cavesson...
I think I will see if I can borrow something ported, see if that helps.
What would be dressage legal (without spending a fortune!!)
I have also seen a few "tongue saver" bits on ebay which look interesting.
And point taken on the french link, don't think I had really appreciated the secondary effects.

 

[HoHum]

....

 

[Broodle]

I'm almost certain that there are no dressage legal ported bits I'm afraid. How about a bit shaped to give tounge relief, like the Myler comfort snaffle or similar? Or just something v simple like a mullen mouth snaffle?

I know two horses who habitually stick their tongues out, and they're both in french link bits. Not really sure whether there is any relevance to this mini factoid, but suspect their tongues are being squished by the wrap-around/'collapsing' action of the bit.

 

[hadfos]

I'm almost certain that there are no dressage legal ported bits I'm afraid. How about a bit shaped to give tounge relief, like the Myler comfort snaffle or similar? Or just something v simple like a mullen mouth snaffle?

I know two horses who habitually stick their tongues out, and they're both in french link bits. Not really sure whether there is any relevance to this mini factoid, but suspect their tongues are being squished by the wrap-around/'collapsing' action of the bit.

Completely agree with the comfort myler!My lad was a tongue loller,have had him in the myler comfort now for 4 months and he is a different horse in his mouth altogether,and i have tried allsorts,only wish i had tried this bit sooner(to be fair though it was a friends reccomendation and the borrowing of this particular bit that i realised)...He dosnt resent this bit at all,and his tongue stays put

 

[hadfos]

I'm almost certain that there are no dressage legal ported bits I'm afraid. How about a bit shaped to give tounge relief, like the Myler comfort snaffle or similar? Or just something v simple like a mullen mouth snaffle?

I know two horses who habitually stick their tongues out, and they're both in french link bits. Not really sure whether there is any relevance to this mini factoid, but suspect their tongues are being squished by the wrap-around/'collapsing' action of the bit.

My lad has too been in a french link for years,so could be a factor,even though they are apparently softer than a snaffle

 

[hadfos]

thank you all
I should have said he's usually in a cavesson...
I think I will see if I can borrow something ported, see if that helps.
What would be dressage legal (without spending a fortune!!)
I have also seen a few "tongue saver" bits on ebay which look interesting.
And point taken on the french link, don't think I had really appreciated the secondary effects.

My lad was in a flash...since changing to the Myler he is back in a cavesson with no problems

 

[asterid]

Another vote for a myler!

My off the track TB was a serial tongue loller. Since using the myler and riding very quietly with hands, the tongue lolling has vanished!

The myler is thinner so allows more room for swallowing and the sweet iron version excites salivation. Also the shape of the myler does not pinch or have nutcraker effect.

Expensive, but oooooo soooooo worth it!