15/06/2026

In horse racing, particularly in flat races, it is common practice to tie a horse’s tongue, in certain circumstances and for certain horses in particular.

There are two reasons given for this practice: to help the horse breathe more easily during the race and to prevent the horse from sticking its tongue over the bit, thereby failing to respond to the jockey’s commands.

Watch our video where we explain everything.

Sources:

video "Andie Biancone Demonstrates a Tongue Tie", canale YouTube FanDuel Racing

Budras, Sack, Rock – Avatomy of the horse

IJVS - Morphological Study of the Restricted and Moving Structures of the Tongue Muscle in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

FEI – Tongue strap/tie

MDPI - The Reported Use of Tongue-Ties and Nosebands in Thoroughbred and Standardbred Horse Racing—A Pilot Study