I work on a farm with 31 thoroughbreds and a lot of them stick their tongues out the side of their mouths and keep it there. It's like they're sticking their tongue out at me on purpose! Why do they do that and do the thing with the top lip where they fold it up? I heard something about them smelling hormones from other horses. But why do they do that when I am around them?
2007-05-10 16:35:19 · 13 answers · asked by Audrey V 3 in Pets ➔ Horses
Horses will play around with their tongues when they're bored. It's typically horses that are stalled for a majority of their time with nothing to do.
The lip thing is called the " flehmen response." Horses as well as other species will do this to get a better "fix" on a scent.
2007-05-10 16:42:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Sticking out the tongue is a nervous habit that some horses develop as a result of stress or training. The other thing that you are observing, the flehmen posture, is a normal response to a strong smell, especially in stallions and geldings. In rare instances, however, excessive displays of this posture can mean the horse is colicking- we had a stallion on the breeding farm I used to work on who would do exactly that on occaision. It can be, and often is, a sign of sexual arousal,especially when a stallion who is teasing or is about to breed does it. If your horses do it when you are around them, it means they smell something on you that they like. With women, the menstrual cycle can trigger this behavior,especially in stallions and colts. It is usually less problematic for men, although I have seen stallions do this with them as well. Hope this helps.
2007-05-11 09:05:05 · answer #2 · answered by Starlight 1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are numerous issues that would reason a horse to stick out his tongue and play with it or pass it often whilst being rode or not. one element i might certainly verify or have checked is his tooth. If he's this previous he would have some tooth bothering him that are annoying the tongue. 2d is he basically a nervous horse? 0.33 if he's wormy it must be a threat. Fourth what sort of bit does she use on him and has she tried somewhat with a copper curler? We had a horse that replaced into very severe existence guy and can often lick his lips, we positioned somewhat with a copper curler on it and he replaced into stable after that. 5th is this horse getting sufficient minerals and salt? loss of a few minerals would reason nerve issues. final if the horse has had a severe bit at one time it ought to have harm the nerves around the tongue. wish THIS facilitates thank you.
2016-10-04 21:21:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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!
2007-05-11 02:51:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Believe it or not, some horses like to have their tongues SCRATCHED!
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.
2007-05-10 18:18:07 · answer #5 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
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.
P.S. Horses do weird things that we don't expect!!!!!!!!!
2007-05-11 03:24:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They smell something strange, so they curl their lips up and throw there tongue out - I forget how scent triggers this response though, I just know weird smells trigger it. Some horses learn the response from people (laughter, petting, etc) and will do it to be hams!
2007-05-10 16:45:45 · answer #7 · answered by rainy_creek_blazer 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
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.
2007-05-11 01:55:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When horses are licking and moving their mouth when working is because they are trying to understand what you are asking from them. This is just their way of thinking.
2007-05-11 09:50:33 · answer #9 · answered by lala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the way you smell. Your scent is causing arousal of their
sexual urges.
This happens a lot when working with animals. especially when it is during your menses.
also check your body washes soaps and perfumes these things can have a profound effect on different animals.
2007-05-10 16:51:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋