new horse flipping tongue over bits-help

hoofmanentail · 05-30-2006, 03:15 PM

hi, everyone.i just bought a tw mare and every bit i have put in her mouth she keeps flipping her tongue over it and sometimes( well, almost everytime) she is sticking it out the side.i tell her-"aaah, quit that" and she quickly puts her tongue back in and under...ha!she seems to be doing this as a habit- i have her mouth checked, teeth checked. she is a horse from a trader so i don't have any details other than they were using a tom thumb.
well, i guess i need advice in any shape or form as this is new to me

thanks so much.

sheri7785 · 05-30-2006, 03:18 PM

I have no advice to give other than make sure the bit is in the correct place in the mouth. I would like to see her sticking her tongue out though. At least she has a sense of humor. LOL.

whiteplainsranch · 05-30-2006, 05:00 PM

Is your bridle tight enough?

Drafty · 05-30-2006, 05:12 PM

Sounds to me like your bridle is not adjusted right.

WYJumper · 05-30-2006, 07:19 PM

I am riding a mare that use to do that. For her it didn't matter how the bit was adjusted, nothing wrong with her mouth. After a while of riding her, she stopped doing it. I think that she was just bored.

So maybe with some riding time and keeping her busy when you are riding her, she will quit?

Cash/Honey/Thomas · 05-30-2006, 07:31 PM

My mare loves to play with her bit she kept biting the side where the rein is and putting it in her mouth. So we tried a bit that has a piece in the middle that she can play with it seemed to help her. You might could try that.

horsechick82 · 05-30-2006, 07:50 PM

I would try a figure 8 noseband or a drop noseband bridle, jmo

Candy · 05-30-2006, 08:03 PM

I don't know how far you want to go with this but I guess anything will help you at this point. The roller bit is a good idea but it also sounds like your horse has already made a habbit out of this. Have you tried tying his tongue? I've worked with alot of saddlebreds that got their tongue over the bit and even with a noseband on we still had to tie the tongue. All you do is take a shoe string and rap around the tongue two times where the cross will be at the bottom of the tongue then just tie a little bow tie under it's chin. Be sure not to get it too tight but tight enough where it won't come off. It doesn't hurt them at all.

Good luck and keep us posted.

EquineLaw78 · 05-30-2006, 08:11 PM

Does your bridle have a cavesson? If it does, try tightening it enough to keep your horse's mouth closed. Of course, keeping a cavesson tight for long periods of time might not be a very good solution -- you might wear a bald spot on your horse's jaw.

I would also question whether the horse's teeth have some issues. Although my sister's TWH gelding chomps and plays with any bit that comes in his mouth, and his teeth are in good shape.

Some show trainers will tie the tongue of a horse who plays with the bit with a shoelace. But those horses are worked for about 30 minutes and the tie is the last thing in the mouth and the first thing out after a workout. It will keep a tongue from wagging though!

hoofmanentail · 05-30-2006, 09:50 PM

wow, thanks everyone. you know what, i rode her this evening and she only does it when tacking her up or when she is standing still. i will try to get a picture up here tomorrow if i can figure out how

. she is so sweet and yes, a sense of humor. she's under weight but with some tlc she will be just what i've been looking for. so, far she does this with snaffle, tom thumb, walking bit, low port curb, aluminum,sweet iron, and stainless steel...so, i will just be patient and work this out.i like the idea of a roller bit- i will definitely try that...something to keep her busy because that's how she is doing this. that it is hilarious to see...she almost always sticks her tongue out on the left side.
the first thing i thought was my bridle was too loose...so, i tightened it,not it. then i started checking everything else...not it. so, i gathered all the bits i could find....nope she still did it with them ALL

.i ride western so i tried everything western. i have been reading this forum for a very long time and i figured someone would give great tips, thanks everyone.

Mule Fool · 05-30-2006, 11:16 PM

My mule does the same thing when I first put on her bridle, she doesn't get the tongue over the bit, but does stick it out on the side. Once we get going and she's busy her mouth is quiet. this advice goes against everything that has been said here, but sometimes if you lower the bit it can help. If the bit is hanging lower the horse will learn to pick it up herself and hold it in position. when they are holding it themselves their tongue is busy so they can't do much else with it. This was suggested at a mule clinic I went to recently. I don't think it cures it immediately, you have to let them pack it around for awhile to give them time to find a place to hold. Just something else to maybe try.

**gbarmranch** · 05-31-2006, 08:21 AM

You can always try a hackamore on her - it is my favorite "bit" to use on all horses - I rope, pen, and trail ride in one on everything I own, even though they have been used in a regular bit!!! That way she can hang her tounge out whenever she likes, and she will just look cute!!!

Pictures!!!!

EquineAlberta · 05-31-2006, 12:52 PM

If it is a habit, then it might be there for life!

I really don't like the idea of tying the tongue with anything for two reasons: 1) the tongue is very sensitive and easily damaged, and 2) that is likely all she will focus on when you work her, so you may encounter resistence issues.

I have seen some horses that like to stick there tongue out when ridden, bit or no bit, they just seem to do it!

To help keep her tongue on the right side of the bit though, you could also try a Kineton noseband. This noseband will help hold the bit to the top of her mouth. It also transfers some pressure from the reins onto the nose. They aren't very common though. You could make something simal by looping a strap through the top of the bit ring, then through the middle/top of the caveson, and then to the other side of the bit ring. This will help hold the bit to the top of her mouth, and will also transfer some pressure from the bit to her nose. May be an interesting experiment!

I also liked the idea of seeing what she does if you go bitless! I wonder if she still plays with her tongue?

Karen2

**Orchid** · 05-31-2006, 12:56 PM

I too really do not like the idea of tying a tongue, for the reasons EquineAlberta stated.

Does she ride fine? If so, the tongue sticking out may not be a big deal.

I would probably try a bit with a copper roller for her to play with and go from there.

Can't wait to see pics!

whiteplainsranch · 05-31-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

You can always try a hackamore on her - it is my favorite "bit" to use on all horses - I rope, pen, and trail ride in one on everything I own, even though they have been used in a regular bit!!! That way she can hang her tounge out whenever she likes, and she will just look cute!!! Pictures!!!!

I like her idea

05-30-2006, 03:15 PM
hoofmanentail Newborn Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2	new horse flipping tongue over bits-help hi, everyone.i just bought a tw mare and every bit i have put in her mouth she keeps flipping her tongue over it and sometimes( well, almost everytime) she is sticking it out the side.i tell her-"aaah, quit that" and she quickly puts her tongue back in and under...ha!she seems to be doing this as a habit- i have her mouth checked, teeth checked. she is a horse from a trader so i don't have any details other than they were using a tom thumb. well, i guess i need advice in any shape or form as this is new to me thanks so much.

05-30-2006, 03:18 PM
sheri7785 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,074	I have no advice to give other than make sure the bit is in the correct place in the mouth. I would like to see her sticking her tongue out though. At least she has a sense of humor. LOL.

05-30-2006, 05:00 PM
whiteplainsranch Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 662	Is your bridle tight enough?

05-30-2006, 05:12 PM
Drafty Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,106	Sounds to me like your bridle is not adjusted right. __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

05-30-2006, 07:19 PM
WYJumper Product Reviews & Conf. Clinic Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Least Populated State Posts: 1,342	I am riding a mare that use to do that. For her it didn't matter how the bit was adjusted, nothing wrong with her mouth. After a while of riding her, she stopped doing it. I think that she was just bored. So maybe with some riding time and keeping her busy when you are riding her, she will quit? __________________ Steph

05-30-2006, 07:31 PM
Cash/Honey/Thomas Yearling Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 568	My mare loves to play with her bit she kept biting the side where the rein is and putting it in her mouth. So we tried a bit that has a piece in the middle that she can play with it seemed to help her. You might could try that. __________________ What the world needs is JESUS!

05-30-2006, 07:50 PM
horsechick82 Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: maine Posts: 85	I would try a figure 8 noseband or a drop noseband bridle, jmo

05-30-2006, 08:03 PM
Candy Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 78	I don't know how far you want to go with this but I guess anything will help you at this point. The roller bit is a good idea but it also sounds like your horse has already made a habbit out of this. Have you tried tying his tongue? I've worked with alot of saddlebreds that got their tongue over the bit and even with a noseband on we still had to tie the tongue. All you do is take a shoe string and rap around the tongue two times where the cross will be at the bottom of the tongue then just tie a little bow tie under it's chin. Be sure not to get it too tight but tight enough where it won't come off. It doesn't hurt them at all. Good luck and keep us posted. __________________ Ride Quickly and win. Hesitate and Lose

05-30-2006, 08:11 PM
EquineLaw78 Yearling Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 973	Does your bridle have a cavesson? If it does, try tightening it enough to keep your horse's mouth closed. Of course, keeping a cavesson tight for long periods of time might not be a very good solution -- you might wear a bald spot on your horse's jaw. I would also question whether the horse's teeth have some issues. Although my sister's TWH gelding chomps and plays with any bit that comes in his mouth, and his teeth are in good shape. Some show trainers will tie the tongue of a horse who plays with the bit with a shoelace. But those horses are worked for about 30 minutes and the tie is the last thing in the mouth and the first thing out after a workout. It will keep a tongue from wagging though!

05-30-2006, 09:50 PM
hoofmanentail Newborn Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2	wow, thanks everyone. you know what, i rode her this evening and she only does it when tacking her up or when she is standing still. i will try to get a picture up here tomorrow if i can figure out how . she is so sweet and yes, a sense of humor. she's under weight but with some tlc she will be just what i've been looking for. so, far she does this with snaffle, tom thumb, walking bit, low port curb, aluminum,sweet iron, and stainless steel...so, i will just be patient and work this out.i like the idea of a roller bit- i will definitely try that...something to keep her busy because that's how she is doing this. that it is hilarious to see...she almost always sticks her tongue out on the left side. the first thing i thought was my bridle was too loose...so, i tightened it,not it. then i started checking everything else...not it. so, i gathered all the bits i could find....nope she still did it with them ALL .i ride western so i tried everything western. i have been reading this forum for a very long time and i figured someone would give great tips, thanks everyone.

05-30-2006, 11:16 PM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	My mule does the same thing when I first put on her bridle, she doesn't get the tongue over the bit, but does stick it out on the side. Once we get going and she's busy her mouth is quiet. this advice goes against everything that has been said here, but sometimes if you lower the bit it can help. If the bit is hanging lower the horse will learn to pick it up herself and hold it in position. when they are holding it themselves their tongue is busy so they can't do much else with it. This was suggested at a mule clinic I went to recently. I don't think it cures it immediately, you have to let them pack it around for awhile to give them time to find a place to hold. Just something else to maybe try.

05-31-2006, 08:21 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mayberry Posts: 29,575	You can always try a hackamore on her - it is my favorite "bit" to use on all horses - I rope, pen, and trail ride in one on everything I own, even though they have been used in a regular bit!!! That way she can hang her tounge out whenever she likes, and she will just look cute!!! Pictures!!!! __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.

05-31-2006, 12:52 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,694	If it is a habit, then it might be there for life! I really don't like the idea of tying the tongue with anything for two reasons: 1) the tongue is very sensitive and easily damaged, and 2) that is likely all she will focus on when you work her, so you may encounter resistence issues. I have seen some horses that like to stick there tongue out when ridden, bit or no bit, they just seem to do it! To help keep her tongue on the right side of the bit though, you could also try a Kineton noseband. This noseband will help hold the bit to the top of her mouth. It also transfers some pressure from the reins onto the nose. They aren't very common though. You could make something simal by looping a strap through the top of the bit ring, then through the middle/top of the caveson, and then to the other side of the bit ring. This will help hold the bit to the top of her mouth, and will also transfer some pressure from the bit to her nose. May be an interesting experiment! I also liked the idea of seeing what she does if you go bitless! I wonder if she still plays with her tongue? Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!

05-31-2006, 12:56 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,083	I too really do not like the idea of tying a tongue, for the reasons EquineAlberta stated. Does she ride fine? If so, the tongue sticking out may not be a big deal. I would probably try a bit with a copper roller for her to play with and go from there. Can't wait to see pics! __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.