Sitemaps

Why do horses do that thing with their tongue2007-11-24 21:23:18

But yes, they play with their tongues when they are bored. It's not you. It's really sad when horses have to spend most of their lives in stalls.

Curling the top lip is a way for them to retain a scent so they can explore it better. If you are wearing a perfume or if you are having your period you might trigger this response.

---

Tho some fillies will do it. It's mostly a colt thing. They love to have their tongues pet. I dunno why, they just do. I had a colt. (Nelson Street) that as soon as I walked anywhere near his stall he would stick it out. When i left he would pull it back in. He was a love! The lip thing is for remembering a scent. Go blow in their nose...that's how they know each other. They will always remember your breath.

---

They do this when they smell something new for the first time.

They want to keep the secent longer.

---

Do they do the tongue thing when they are being ridden? A lot of times, it is a reaction to having a bit in their mouth. It usually means they are avoiding the pressure from the bit, and therefore are being ridden in too harsh of a bit. You are right about the lip thing, it is in response to hormones from other horses. They probably do it regardless of whether you are around them or not, but you just notice it more when you are there because it is FUNNY!

---

my friend has a horse that does the same thing. Usually when a horse sticks its tongue out like that it usually means that they are bored or know you have treats. Also when they lift up their top (or bottom) lip it means that they are smelling something that might have rubbed against their lips.