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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Tongue Tension?

7/11/2017

 
On Friday, I wrote about Izzy's bitting journey. I tried out the dressage legal bit by the way, and I had some very interesting results. Before I share that though, I want to talk about tongue tension.

Is that really a thing? Who knew? Over the weekend, I was flipping through the Mylers' book, The Level Best for Your Horse, when I stumbled on an article in the appendix. As a side note, I've said this oh, at least 47 times already, but this book is totally worth having in your equine reference library. You can get it here. Anyway, the article was written by Dr. Joyce Harman, DVM, MRCVS and is entitled "Anatomy and Physiology of the Mouth as it Relates to Bits."
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You need this book!
The point of the article is to explain how the bit affects the horse's mouth which is directly tied to the front of the horse's body. According to Dr. Harman, some of the muscles of the tongue connect to the horse's hyoid apparatus. That's the thing that always gets broken in the human neck when a person is strangled. From the hyoid bone there are two major muscles that connect to the horse's front end. One attaches to the sternum and the other to the inside of the shoulder. 
Picture
Look for the light purple and light blue sections.
What this means is that there is a direct connection from the horse's tongue to the horse's sternum and shoulder (via the hyoid). If there is tension in the tongue, there will be tension in the sternum which means the horse can't lift his back.

Dr. Harman goes on to explain that there are other muscles that connect the hyoid bones to the jaw and poll. The jaw houses an important nerve center for proprioception, that thing that tells a horse where his feet are without him needing to look at them. We have the same system - we know where our limbs are without needing to see them. It's how we do things like a drive a car. Tension in the tongue affects that nerve center which affects a horse's coordination system.

What all of this means is that when a horse's tongue is free and soft, he will move much more freely with better coordination and balance. Izzy is the first horse I've owned with such a sensitive tongue. With that said, it's difficult to move to a bit with minimal tongue pressure as tongue pressure helps the rider keep control. As Izzy gets more and more broke though, I am seeing him move better as I transition him into bits with less tongue pressure.

​I am really excited to keep trying out the low extra wide ported barrel bit!
Monica Whitmer link
7/11/2017 03:11:44 pm

Great article - and I Did NOT know about the proprioceptive nerve in the jaw. I DID know that a lot of horses have Bad proprioception - esp about where their back feet are - now I see a very possible cause for this problem. '

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/12/2017 05:22:12 am

I think this is a fascinating part of all animals, including humans. I am certainly no expert, but it is a topic I'd like to continue exploring. I am glad you found it helpful, Monica. :0)

Kimberly Watts link
7/11/2017 09:23:39 pm

I love their bits for the pressure release. I actually have 3 Myler bits I rotatate for my training.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/19/2017 10:05:59 am

I have quite a few of the Myler bits myself. Speedy is happy in his baucher (although it's not a Myler), but Izzy is the one who is going to get to use the rotation. :0)

lytha
7/12/2017 12:50:38 am

Protecting the tongue is critical in Legerete. Similar to what you posted: http://www.philippe-karl.com/philippe-karl/articles-correspondence/376-taking-over-equestrian-culture

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/19/2017 10:10:11 am

None of my other horses have been so sensitive in the tongue. Good thing there are so many bits to choose from. :0)

Teresa link
7/14/2017 04:43:12 am

Interestingly enough if a human has tension in their tongue they cannot relax their neck. Try it and see. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/19/2017 10:11:06 am

The Mylers point this out and other exercises as well. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
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  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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  • Dressage Organizations
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