You can hear my 6 yr. old mare breathe  loudly when running barrels. I have had her scoped and her epiglottis looked fine. I want to try tying her tongue to see if it makes a difference, but wanted to make sure I do it right.  Any suggestions?

I've never heard of doing that and wouldn't even know where to begin to try that. I'm all about learning new stuff so my question is, why do you think this would help with the breathing noise? I can hear my horse breathe loudly when hes eating his grain, but hes choked so many times I always figured that was just a side effect of him having choke and having to be tubed a few times. 

I'm thinking when she runs, barrel race, her tongue displaces and makes her breathing loud and makes it hard for her to breathe. I've tried breathing supplements and talked with vet. He suggested to try anti anxiety meds . A friend suggested tying her tongue and seeing if this helps. Not sure, just seeing if anyone has done this.

I had one similar. I discovered his was bit induced. Rode in a hackamore and the problem went away. Not sure if you were aware of a bit induced issue before tying.

They do it to racehorses all the time.  They wet a narrow strip of cloth and tie their tongues down before the race.  I always hate to see this but evidently it keeps them from either swallowing their tongue or getting their tongue over the bit.

No, I've not heard of it being bit induced. Thanks for the info :)

It is actually easy to do once you get the hang of it. It is not painful to them and most tolerate it very well even the very first time you tie them. They can make a huge difference, which is why you see a majority of race horses in them as a preventitive measure.

You can either use a strip of cloth such as from a bed sheet, etc. (I wet them down first) or a womens' trouser type sock/knee high. You can also order online, disposable cloth specifically for ties. I would NOT use the elastic rubber band style though because of danger of them breaking and the horse swallowing them.

Put your tongue tie on before you put your bit on.

1. Place the cloth on your wrist and grab ahold of the tongue and pull out of the mouth.

2. With the other hand pull the cloth up to lay on the top of the tongue.

3. Wrap the cloth underneath the tongue and back over to where it crosses on top of the tongue.

4. Pull snug but not too tight (you want it to hold the tongue but not cut into it) and tie the ends underneath the chin.

Tongue may sit in gap between front teeth and canines. Some horses will keep their tongue sticking out and others will keep it inside their mouth. 

I have also found that using a mullen mouth bit or a hackamore seems to make a big difference with one that gets a tongue tie. 

This is a pretty good video to see how to do it. The more you do them, the easier it becomes. https://youtu.be/Lfkm1XwQDJI

Also, expect to get crazy looks and lots of questions when you use one at a jackpot. LOL

Thank you  :)

No kidding.  I remember being at a small track and a totally horrified barrel racer standing beside me in the saddling area wondering "what the heck."   

When I worked in an ASB barn, they would sometimes tie tongues. They used a shoe lace around the tongue and then tied it under their jaw. Of course you have to make sure its not too tight. 

I tried it last night with a knee high panty hose. She didn't mind it at all. Her breathing at a lope didn't make that sound. So, maybe this will help with her breathing when she runs.

I’ve tied many tongues over the years, mostly on driving horses though. Only one riding horse. As stated it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Shoe string is my usual go to, but panty hose is common also. I was always taught to make sure it’s wet before you put it on, so just soak mine while tacking up/harnessing. I loop mine around my hand making a loop that crosses on top, with the long ends hanging down on each side. Then I just pull the tongue through my loop, and tie underneath the jaw. As mentioned you want it snug & tight enough they can’t pull out of it, but not too tight. 

have you ever considered dynamic endoscopy? you could see whats going on inside while shes exercising. 

I did consider that originally. I took her to Oakridge Vet Clinic in Oklahoma. After they scoped her, they didn't think she needed to have that done, but said I could .  But, I didn't do it. Maybe, something to reconsider. Thanks  :)