When tongues go wrong
Foreign bodies
Foreign material can sometimes get lodged in the tongue. Thorns, twigs and the awns of some wild grasses, for example, cause sores and abscesses. Younger horses and foals in particular tend to be ‘mouthy’, nibbling and chewing on things they shouldn’t eat. Checking hay for foreign objects and clearing away debris at the stables, especially around the feeders, is paramount.
Lolling tongue
Lolling of the tongue is not uncommon in young horses in training but when it persists it’s a frequent cause of lower marks for dressage competitors. There are many possible causes of tongue lolling. Pain can lead to the behaviour — especially problems with the teeth, tongue, jaw, cheeks or temporomandibular joint — as can facial nerve paralysis, affecting the ability of the lip muscles to keep the tongue in the mouth. However, the most likely cause of this frustrating condition is behavioural. Usually it’s a sign of evasion, which is why it generally worsens when the horse is asked to work in an outline. By moving his tongue out to the side, the horse is avoiding correct contact with the bit and therefore the rider’s hands. Evasion of the bit can stem from a lack of understanding or from poor communication. In such cases, it’s important to try a series of bits to see if one of them improves the presentation. Use of a ‘crank’ or a flash noseband can help by making it more difficult for the horse to get his tongue out, but the key is recognising the problem and working through it with an instructor.
Blue tongue
Although not involving the tongue directly, the controversial practice of Rollkur is described as “overflexion of the horse’s neck, achieved through aggressive force” and one of the consequences of this degree of flexion is that blood circulation to the tongue is compromised and the tongue may take on a bluish tinge. Proponents of the technique argued it increased the suppleness of the horse’s neck and back, while some of those opposed believed it constituted animal abuse. Rollkur has since been banned by the FEI, which recognises a clear distinction between the practice of Rollkur and the riding of the horse in a deep outline that is not achieved by force (and as such is fully permitted).
Cancer
It’s also possible for horses to suffer cancer of the tongue, although this is a rare condition.
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