Horse tongue

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The horse tongue, like that of most mammals is pink in color and plays an important role in taste perception. With its long, narrow shape typical of herbivorous animals, it enables the horse to grasp its food with the help of its lips and teeth. This tongue is sensitive to pressure and temperature, and is involved in licking and chewing. Although a mare licks her foal for a long time immediately after birth, there is little research into the gustatory sensitivity of horses and the social use these animals make of their tongues.

The practice of equestrianism by human beings involves potential contact of the horse tongue with a bit, and so precautions must be taken to avoid possible injury to this sensitive, richly vascularized organ. In the event of compression due to unsuitable bitting, the horse tongue turns white or blue, which can ultimately compromise the animal's general health. It is a controversial practice of tying down the tongue of racehorses.