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On the horses that slip their tongue over the bit

What can one do to keep a high level Dressage Horse?
(that already knows Spanish walk, tempi changes, passage and piaffe) from slipping his tongue over or between the bits?
(This happens at least three times per workout)

Slipping the tongue over, or between the bits is a bad habit that horses often develop when they are being started (broke).
It is a serious defense, and it is mostly due to the horse feeling uncomfortable.

When starting a horse, always adjust the snaffle bit rather high with the noseband correctly placed.

Slipping the tongue is usually caused by using the wrong bit, wrong size, or incorrect adjustment and usage.

Note of translator: there is a hollow spot behind the horse's chin (you can usually put your hand in it) between the jawbone, the groove in which the tongue rests inside the horse's mouth. It will be referred to as the "tongue groove".

1. Are your bits compatible with your horse's mouth?

Horses that have a thick tongue or a narrow "tongue groove" suffer from the pressure created by the bit on the tongue and slip their tongue on top of it to relieve the pressure. If the horse has a narrow tongue and a wide "tongue groove", all the bits will be compatible: the tongue will have enough space.
If this is not the case, more room must be made for the tongue.
A "tailored" curb bit ("L'Hotte" bit) helps most of the time. If it's not enough, use a curb bit with a round, square or rectangular groove for the tongue.

How to tell if the bit is the right size?
The snaffle bit should about 2 mm (1/8th") wider than the horse's mouth at the corner of the mouth, and place slightly above the bridle bit. The curb bit must be exactly the same size as the width of the horse's mouth, therefore narrower as the snaffle bit (about .5 cm - ¼").
Very thick bits are not advised. There is a general advantage to using thinner bits.

2. Are your bits well adjusted?

The bits have to be correctly placed on the bars (the spaces between the front teeth and the molars) without knocking on the teeth. Adjust the snaffle bit so that the corner of the mouth touches the bit without being wrinkled if possible. The bit must not hit the horse's premolars.

This is easy to achieve with a horse with a normal mouth, or a rather high-split mouth.
When a horse has a low-split mouth, the snaffle bit is often placed too low and slips under the bridle bit. This modifies the effect of the two bits. The horse then raises the tongue and he can become uncomfortable in his mouth. It's better to have a slightly wrinkled corner of the mouth in this case.
Place the curb bit slightly lower then the snaffle bit, without touching the canines, especially when dealing with a male horse.

Do not hesitate to add holes in the side pieces of your bridle, even if it does not look so good. It's is very important.

The curb chain must always lie flat, and loose when the reins are loose. It has to tighten without slipping up when the bit is at an approximate 25 to 30 degree angle. The bit must never be at an angle greater than to 45 degrees.
A tight curb chain is very uncomfortable, the horse will set his head below the vertical and/or slip his tongue on top of the curb bit or on top of both bits to avoid pressure ; loosen the curb chain.

The fine tuning of the bits is done progressively, by trying different ways. It can change. An example is when the leather stretches over time…

The noseband should not allow the horse to open his mouth too far, permitting him to slip the tongue. It should just give the horse enough space to swallow and play with the bits…

3. Is it a riding skill problem?

What if the bits are the correct ones, and they are well adjusted, but the horse still slips the tongue?

Then it is a riding skill problem… or

It can also be a nervous response to the approach of a specific exercise (I.e. the piaffe), especially if it always happens at a certain moment or intermittently. It can also be boredom…

Try to determine when your horse is slipping the tongue. Test the horse's calmness and relaxation.

The most efficient solution is to put your horse in the most comfortable posture possible for him: general balance, relaxation on the bit (head set), height of neck, general relaxation, and degree of impulsion…
Slipping the tongue is sometimes caused by the rider's hands being too harsh or rigid, and do not give when the horse gives, etc.

The real remedy is to work on putting the horse "in your hands".
When the head is placed correctly, the jaw is mobile and relaxed. The horse chews his bit and gives himself up to the rider completely. He "listens" to the hands of the rider, puts his tongue back in the natural position, under the bit or bits.
This is where the skill of the rider consists of keeping his horse "in his hands".
As soon as the horse gives in, lower your hands profusely.
Try to feel if your hands are the cause of the problem, or if you have to slightly change the posture of the horse, or his head set.

This is a difficult problem that can take a long time to resolve.

In conclusion, check if the bits are well adapted and well adjusted to your horse's mouth, or if you have to revise some parts of your riding skills.
Observe, reflect and feel.

YOUR REACTIONS…

Henri Wagneur, a Rider from Switzerland, (website at www.wagneur.ch) brings us the following precisions:

About slipping the tongue, I have had to deal with numerous circus horses that had never been ridding in their lives because they were free lunged. Some of them still slip their tongue, even with a well adjusted bridle. What I do when the horse slips the tongue over the bit, that has always worked well for me, is the following: I call him to me, put his tongue back in place, pat him and give him a couple of treats. It takes a while but the horses generally stop by themselves after several weeks.
I proceed the same way with young horses on the lunge and sometimes when I work on foot and they try to slip the tongue.

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Posture-position / Walk / Trot / Canter / Shoulder-in / half-pass / Flying change of lead / Pirouette /

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