What is this?! Interesting…
A horse’s tongue is not only long—stretching up to 16 inches—but it’s also incredibly powerful and sensitive. It plays a vital role in how a horse eats, drinks, and even communicates. Horses use their tongues to move food around their mouths and to help form a bolus (a wad of chewed food) before swallowing. But what’s really fascinating is how expressive a horse’s tongue can be—some horses even develop quirky behaviors like sticking out their tongue when they’re relaxed, bored, or trying to get attention.
In fact, some horses learn to “play” with their tongues, curling or flapping them, especially if they’ve spent a lot of time in a bit and bridle. This can become a form of coping behavior, similar to how some people fidget.
And here’s a fun fact: the texture of a horse’s tongue is surprisingly rough—almost like a cat’s! This helps them grip and manipulate hay, grass, and even salt licks with ease.
