Pedigree Query

what EXACTLY* are they used for... and what is the significance of losing one midway through a race? (And having it flap around a lot first)

*please, no answers like "to keep the tongue down". Looking for the desired end result, e.g. to keep tongue from moving the bit or to keep tongue from blocking airway. Figure must be one or both of those.

Toccet02 wrote:what EXACTLY* are they used for... and what is the significance of losing one midway through a race? (And having it flap around a lot first)

*please, no answers like "to keep the tongue down". Looking for the desired end result, e.g. to keep tongue from moving the bit or to keep tongue from blocking airway. Figure must be one or both of those.

Hi T,
It's main purpose was to prevent the horse from getting their tongue over the bit...at which point the horse would be very hard to control in a race, some jockey's actual ask for it to be used in the future if they see you don't run with one. Other's play with their tongue so it is tied to prevent billowing of the tongue which could interfere with air intake and sometimes almost swallow their tongue. Finally, if you have a horse prone to flipping their palate....tieing their tongue is thought to aid and possibly prevent DDST (Dorsal Displacement of the Soft Palate) in less severe cases. As to your loose TT question.....if there was a situation that occured because of the tongue tie coming undone....one or more of these three things could possibly occur. TJ

Thanks TJ.. yeah, a decent horse of mine (virtually that it) threw in a clunker and on the replay I saw the tie flapping around and her pace getting slower and slower . . .