tongue hanging out

[stanley101]

Hi

I suspect there is no answer to this but does anyone have any successful experience with getting a horse to keep its tongue in? Its not in pain or evading the bit, its done it for years and years. Vets say his tongue is literally just to big for his mouth. I've tried various bits etc. Someone did mention a mexican noseband?? but I don't want to distress him in anyway, I'd rather he was relaxed and had it lolling out than clamped in and stressed. But obviously it doesn't go down well in dressage, even though everyone says he's not evading etc

Thanks

 

[Annagain]

Does he have enough space in his mouth for the bit? I had to find a really narrow mouthpiece for mine as his tongue is so huge. If he seems comfortable though I wouldn't be too concerned.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If it is a physical thing that his tongue is oversized then you have a problem. If it is a habit then you may be able to resolve it if you can get him out of a habit he's had for many years. We had a horse that stuck his tongue out & it cost marks in a dressage test. We found that when he eventually began working properly from behind & was engaging his back end then he virtually stopped sticking his tongue out. Very occasionally he will stick his tongue out but this rarely happens now.