Sticking tongue out (but not when ridden)

[Hedwards]

So nearly 3 weeks ago I bought my new horse Mickey, he's an 8yo 16hh TB, who has done a bit of BE90 in the past, although has been out of work for a few months.

To ride he has lovely paces, and although we're 'testing the boundaries' a bit at the moment, has been an absolute saint and star! (well other then acting the fool with the farrier today! )

However he has a very strange quirk... when you give him a treat/feed, and he's eaten it, he sticks his toungue out the side of his mouth and waggles it around... he doesnt quid, or seem to bother at all, just wondering if anyone else has a horse that does this? he doesnt stick it out at all when ridden (and doesnt have any kind of flash etc. either) I have someone coming to do his teeth in a couple of weeks to check they're all ok anyway, and will mention to the dentist too.

couple of photos of him... cos he's cute!

and with his tongue lolling...

 

[Little Claybrooks]

I have seen this once before, we had a horse on a yard I was working in called Percy who at every chance would "hang" his tongue out the side of his mouth - he was a bit odd!! Used to love to have it stroked.

 

[Shysmum]

as long as his teeth are ok, and no problems with the bit, I'd take it as a lovely quirk

 

[Brightbay]

My horse's companion does this. It's because she has/has had ulcers. Any hard feed, concentrated feed or treats seem to cause immediate discomfort, we suspect a bit like heartburn in humans.

She sticks her tongue out and sucks it, and goes into a little trance. It's a sort of stereotypy, a bit like cribbing, in that it seems to give her relief. We have experimented with different feeds, and the things that trigger it are carrots, commercial "treats", balancers, any kind of "mix", polos, apples. Things that don't are bananas, one or two high fibre cubes or nuggets, broccoli stalks, and antacid tablets (which she accepts as rewards!).

 

[Hedwards]

LC - well he is definitely a bit 'special' and also likes to have his tongue stroked!

SM - Yeah, i do think his teeth need doing, but dont believe there's anything drastic as he accepts the bit happily enough, and doesnt struggle to eat etc. we'll see!

 

[Hedwards]

My horse's companion does this. It's because she has/has had ulcers. Any hard feed, concentrated feed or treats seem to cause immediate discomfort, we suspect a bit like heartburn in humans.

She sticks her tongue out and sucks it, and goes into a little trance. It's a sort of stereotypy, a bit like cribbing, in that it seems to give her relief. We have experimented with different feeds, and the things that trigger it are carrots, commercial "treats", balancers, any kind of "mix", polos, apples. Things that don't are bananas, one or two high fibre cubes or nuggets, broccoli stalks, and antacid tablets (which she accepts as rewards!).

Well he's not been on any kind of concentrate feed for a very long time, and is currently out 24/7, the treats are 'equibites' in the main for vitamins & minerals, and his feed is a small mug of fast fibre... he doesnt suck it or go into a trance, it just lolls outside his mouth, until he starts grazing again when he tucks it away and seems fine...

 

[Sealine]

I know a horse that does this. He was hand reared and as a foal used to stick his tongue out of the side of his mouth when he was hungry and due a bottle feed. He is 15 now and still does it when he is hungry. It doesn't cause him any problems.

 

[Tilda]

My horse does this! He does it more when he is excited but he also does it when he is bored. He also does it when bitted which has got me into rows with people who insist his Tongue is over the bit and when I suggest they have a look they say 'well it isn't now but it was' Grrrr!

Max is 14 now so I think it is just a funny habit he has developed my vet says he just has a big tongue. We often come back from hacks with him looking like he has rabies with a big foamy mouth!

 

[Pinkvboots]

When I bought my arab he was two, he would stick his tongue out he liked it being squeezed thought he would outgrow it but his eight now and still loves it mostly when his being brushed, he has even done it in the ring at a judge which is quite funny.

 

[horsemad67]

My TB does this when he sees me coming towards him with his feed, its just his character and its very comical.

 

[Hedwards]

well it seems Mickey isnt the only one that does this then! I'll still speak to the dentist in a couple of weeks. Thanks everyone!

 

[StoptheCavalry]

My horse does this when hes left alone in his stable. He sticks it out the corner of his mouth like hes trying to lick his own face, very odd but he stops it as soon as he can see other horses.