Holding the tongue outside of the mouth is a habit for some horses. Many times it is a learned habit as a result of injury or pain, primarily from a bit. The habit is most commonly seen in race horses. Once a horse develops the habit, it can be very difficult to manage or correct. In race horses, the tongue is commonly tied in the mouth so they can't avoid the bit. A horse may also stick its tongue out of its mouth as a result of problems in the mouth. Have your veterinarian check for tooth problems, ulcers, or sores in the mouth to rule out that possibility.
These resources are brought to you by the Cooperative Extension System and your Local Institution
Welcome
eXtension is an interactive learning environment delivering the best, most researched knowledge from the smartest land-grant university minds across America.
Have a question? Try asking one of our Experts
What causes a horse to hold its tongue outside its mouth?
Last Updated: August 16, 2006
Have a specific question? Try asking one of our Experts
Unlike most other resources on the web, we have experts from Universities around the country ready to answer your questions.
This resource area was created by the: Horses community
