Posted 2017-11-13 6:34 AM Subject: Tongue injury on a colt
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
Long story short, the dentist was out yesterday and discovered our 4 year old colt’s tongue is nearly cut in half. It’s old. He was only gelded this past June so we are guessing the dipsh!t who owned him prior to that had no business owning a stud colt and ran a chain in his mouth wrong - which also explains why he’s a watchy little dude on the ground.
I’ve been riding him in a 3 piece loose ring but this explains why he’s kind of heavy in it - I bet he has very little feeling if any in his tongue!
I plan to try a regular 2 piece snaffle. When he’s a bit more educated we’ve got a collection of ported roping bits, but he’s no where near educated enough to go into one of those today. Most of my colt bits are chains and 3 pieces.
I have a regular 2 piece snaffle and a 2 piece twisted goosetree simplicity bit. I think I have a 2 piece sliding rope gag, I don’t think any of my jr cowhorses are 2 piece (but have you seen how those things multiply?!) I’ll have to look. I also have a couple hacks that when he’s a little father along I’ll try.
Any other bits or mouthpieces you’d try on a colt that a 3 piece doesn’t fit who’s not ready for a bigger shanked bit?
Posted 2017-11-13 9:08 AM Subject: RE: Tongue injury on a colt
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
Hacks are certainly on the list to try when he’s farther along. I’d rather keep him in a bit a little while longer and he’s really done quite well given the situation. Personal preference.
Posted 2017-11-13 12:37 PM Subject: RE: Tongue injury on a colt
Defense Attorney for The Horse
Location: Claremore, OK
I've had a few different horses that have had cut tongues, some pretty severe. As long as they're healed completely I haven't done anything differently . They pack a snaffle of other type bit, no problem.
usually people don't even realize the horse has a tongue injury until they're floated or some OCD person like me looks in their mouth ;-)
Posted 2017-11-13 1:34 PM Subject: RE: Tongue injury on a colt
Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
Liana D - 2017-11-13 12:37 PM
I've had a few different horses that have had cut tongues, some pretty severe. As long as they're healed completely I haven't done anything differently . They pack a snaffle of other type bit, no problem.
usually people don't even realize the horse has a tongue injury until they're floated or some OCD person like me looks in their mouth ;-)
Agreed, never would have known. He packs the 3 piece I’ve got him in comfortable and there’s no negative reaction from pressure. Just wondering if his general dullness is being a young colt or not having feeling in his tongue. Worth experimenting with a few different bits though to see.
Tongue injury on a colt
