Hangs tounge out!

[Bexster]

Some of you may have read my threads before on my TB thats collapsed several times. Well after more tests and vets visits we are back on form again, still with no conclusions. One thing I have noticed my boy does when out riding is stick his tounge out to the side of his mouth and shake his head.
The not even a second later he stops and proceeds, anyone expercienced this ??:confused:

[puzzles]

most horses stick their tongues out becasue they have no room for it, caused mostly by unsuitable tack. if your horse wears a flash/grackle/drop/ kineton, etc, noseband then try him in a cavesson, or without a noseband at all. most of the time the bit is to blame, espoecially with cobs and horses with thick, fleshy tongues and/or small mouths and/or abnormally-coordinated mouths.
try a hackamore, especially as he headshakes, and see the other post on headshaking for more ideas on that. if he does not go well in one/you are reluctant to use one to start with, then take on certain bits for trial mylers are very usefull as they allow for more tongue room, and avoid jointed bits and especially french links, as these use a nutcracker action/wrap around the tongue, squashing it and limiting space for it, which some horses find difficult to be comfortable and go well in as yours seems to. also avoid thivk bits and/or double bridles as these can take up too much space. insteasd. try thinner bits with mouthpieces specified for allowing with more tongue room/young or sensitive horses (though find out why first).
also have his teeth checked.

this sounds very serious, so don't take any chances. i know that some horses find some things so difficult to cope with that they simply collapse with the stress/pressure of it all.
one specific case that sticks in my mind is one where a horse's tongue was so big that it sometimes blocked the airways passage and he temporarily suffocated, collaping to the floor where it was usually dislodged and then he'd be fine again.
this may also explain why your horse stops, adjusts himself and then continues as normal.
well worth a thought i think.

good luck!

[Bexster]

He only has a caverson nose band and a straight bar happy mouth so as not to obstuct airways in any way. Had advice on suitable tack a while ago, he was hobdayed some time ago and does suffer these tounge attacks, now again when not ridden too. Not sure if it pshycological with him or not or even if it relates to the collapsing, or if he just has feelings of not been able to breath somtimes bcause of past stress. His bloods are all spot on, heart fine etc and vets can not find any reason for past collapse. :confused:

[Bexster]

Yeah that does sound familar an possibly a reason why vets cant find a diagnosis. Is there anything you could suggest if that was the case, what happened to the horse you knew who suffered from this?

[puzzles]

it's probably physical mainly, with psychologial factors and fear of a bad experience (i.e. the collapsing) happening again.