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  Discussion on Tongue lolling
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Member:
Quatro

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006 - 11:23 am:

Levi has started a very weird behavior. A few times now I have witnessed him rolling his tongue around in his mouth. I was panicked the other day, because it seemed that the back of his tongue was swollen. After calling several vets they said that the back of the tongue is always thicker than the front. He is eating, playing and pooping, so what in the world is this. I finally connected the dots to find that it is mostly when he is playing and fighting with Clyde. Like a youngster does in submission with his mouth kind of, but it is almost like endorphins are being released he seems to be lulling himself. It is so weird, his tongue rolls around in his mouth. He had his teeth floated in November, could they need done already? Or is this just one more crazy thing my horse does? It is not continuous, but I have observed it daily.
thanks
suz
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2006 - 7:42 pm:

I've only noticed "tongue rolling" when a horse is anxious about something...usually food. We boarded a gelding who would do this sort of thing every feeding time until he got his hay.

I currently have a mare that loudly smacks her lips together at feeding time until she is fed.
Member:
Gillb

Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 5:04 am:

My horse used to do this very frequently, I think it was to do with his bit as he was bitted in a twisted wire snaffle (not by me I hasten to add) and was never very happy in his mouth. He'd get his tongue over the bit all the time - he would roll it around in his mouth and also stick it out the side and wave it about especially if you put more pressure on the bit than he'd like - but he'd also do it when he didn't have a bit in his mouth so maybe it got into a kind of habit. I wouldn't worry about it re. doing him any harm but maybe investigate what might be causing it, like sharp teeth (unlikely as he's had his teeth done recently, or see if he is happy with his bit - does he do it any more when he is bitted?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 8:34 am:

The back of the tongue does appear thicker under some circumstances, when the horse draws it back into the mouth it "bunches up" in the back and it takes on a very twisted irregular appearance. Some horses do this for what appears nothing more than passing the time but is this a recent change or could it be you are just watching your horse more?
DrO
Member:
Quatro

Posted on Thursday, Jan 19, 2006 - 11:01 am:

this appears to be a new behaviour since we added Clyde to the herd. He also has stepped up his wood chewing. So I would think it could be stress or boredom. He is a very smart horse, and loves to work. Of course it is cold and yucky here, so Mom does not wish to play outside. I have started doing a bit of training in the barn, to hopefully stimulate his brain! I got the vitamin mineral supplement and he stopped eating all of his grain, left the added supplement on the bottom. I was thinking of trying one of the vitamin mineral molasses tubs? Any thoughts on these?
thanks
sue
Member:
sarahb47

Posted on Thursday, Sep 3, 2009 - 9:39 pm:

I have a 4 year old TB mare, Ginny, who was started in race training at Hollywood Park as a 2 year old. She never raced, is sound and healthy and has a really good mind. All in all, a GREAT mare, now working well in dressage and beginning jumping.

Since I bought her 2 years ago, she's had the habit of sticking her tongue out of left side of her mouth. She does this in her stall, before feeding time, whenever she's bored, and whenever she sees me bring out the tack to ride. She's had regular dental care but her adult teeth aren't quite full size yet, so maybe she's still having teething issues. She's in good weight, has a great appetite, is dewormed regularly, and isn't showing any signs of anxiety or ulcers or any other problems.

The tongue comes out -- always to the left -- when she's bored or playful, almost as an invitation for someone to play with it. (And I suspect that it does get played with, when I'm not there. It's a rather endearing habit, kind of goofy-looking on a big elegant horse.)

She has a great attitude under saddle, good manners on the ground, and is very friendly.

Do I have any reason for concern? Is there a relationship between tongue lolling and cribbing, for example? Is she likely to grow out of this?

I try to hay in front of her in the stall, she has plenty of companions to socialize with, and she's often turned out 24/7 in a small pasture, when she's not at a local training facility or a show. Many thanks!
Member:
annimule

Posted on Friday, Sep 4, 2009 - 3:46 am:

What an interesting thread. I have a mammoth donkey jenny who does the "tongue thang" after eating her oats, or even a peppermint. I wonder if making a fuss over it, I always laugh and pay attention to it, rewards the behavior therefore encouraging it to continue??? My donkey has always done it and her teeth and mouth are healthy.

Curious behavior.

Ann

Ann W. Firestone, President
Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue
at Broomtail Farm
23 Saw Mill Road
South Acworth, NH 03607
www.saveyourassrescue.org
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Friday, Sep 4, 2009 - 3:34 pm:

Have seen this behavior in a high jumping horse stalled in barns for the shows in Lexington, KY.

The horse seemed just fine. It was kind of a social and boredom thing rather than a problem-causing vice.
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