Why do some racehorses stick their tongues out to the side?

Question

It's funny! Is is just because their young and they want to or is it something else?

Answer 1

It's just a habit. The tongue may or may not be tied...it has nothing to do with sweating. They aren't dogs...horses sweat on their bodies.

Answer 2

They are not sticking their tongues out of the side of their mouths by choice. The trainer ties their tongue out because some horses will put their tongue over the bit and choke on it. I know this because we used to race harness horses and the first time I seen it I asked the same question.

Answer 3

Some times it is habit they never got used to the bit . Sometimes they're tied or have been worked in a very aggressive bit perhaps this gets their tongue out of the way and hurts less. Some saddle horses do this too. One trainer said stand there with a pin and poke them in the tongue every time they go by! It wasn't my horse by the way. I know one who sticks out his tongue any time he is being worked even in a halter for showmanship it hangs there and turns BLACK in the dust like its dead. We blame his trainer for not great methods. I guess it depends on a lot of things but it does look weird

Answer 4

They are not sticking their tongues out, their tongues have been tied to the side by the trainer.

Answer 5

A cruel practice of tying the tongues of standard bred race horses out of the side of their mouths

Answer 6

They are sweating.

Most animals do not have sweat glands in their bodies like humans do. They stick their tongues out to bring in the cool air in order to cool down their bodies.

Answer 7

because their making fun of you! no not really they just do they might grow out of it but they might not. its a wild guess! but its not a bad thing! when the start chuing lont there tongues or chomping that means there lurning some thing or that they are going to remember something that just happened.

Answer 8

because their tongue is too long

Answer 9

they like to breathe dude.