Big Brown's "mouth strap": what is it?

[Haalter]

Just wondering what it is that Big Brown wears in his mouth around his chin in front of the bit? Am guessing it's a device to keep his tongue under the bit, but I'm betting you racing experts could tell me for sure...thanks!

[tarynls]

Tongue tie

[horselips]

Tongue tie

And most, if not all, racers wear them.

[Rusty Stirrup]

Usually just a strip of cloth wrapped around the tongue and tied under the chin.

[atp]

I am a casual Triple Crown race spectator, since Seattle Slew days, and I don't remember seeing any horses with their tongues tied down. These past few years, I see so many. Could this be a result of pushing young horses too much, and the mental stress showing up as playing with the tongue?

[bobbybobby]

no !!!! they have been around many many years...

[atp]

Were the tongues always tied down with a white strap? It seems so obvious to me now, but I just never noticed before. And did any of the Triple crown winners since Seattle Slew have to have their tongues tied down?

[bobbybobby]

most horses do...some are different colors and you can't see them...

[Highflyer]

There's only been one Triple Crown winner since Seattle Slew :) But yes, many other horses at this level have worn them. I know War Emblem did, for example.

[atp]

Thanks for the info!

[amdfarm]

Color me stupid... So is its purpose to keep the tongue under the bit as the OP asked?

[Acertainsmile]

Yes it keeps the tongue under the bit, although I once rode a horse and it was discovered that the trainer or groom tied it over the bit...not good!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Color me stupid... So is its purpose to keep the tongue under the bit as the OP asked?

Dual purpose, a) stop tongue over the bit b) "swallowing" the tongue, which obstructs airflow.

[gubbyz]

Slew wore that rubber piece that came down to each side of the bit. Did the same thing, right?

[amdfarm]

Thanks!!

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Slew wore that rubber piece that came down to each side of the bit. Did the same thing, right?

Kind of, it keeps the bit high in the horse's mouth making it harder to get the tongue over the bit. Btw, it's called an Australian noseband.

[MIdeafhorserider]

Most Morgan and Saddlebred trainers do tie tongue of the horse for exercise, sometimes the shows, now I see some pictures of racing or harness in the books or magazines.

[Laurierace]

Kind of, it keeps the bit high in the horse's mouth making it harder to get the tongue over the bit. Btw, it's called an Australian noseband.

I have never heard it called anything other than a Sure Win.

[Acertainsmile]

Slew wore that rubber piece that came down to each side of the bit. Did the same thing, right?

We call it a Shur-win...my ex has Seattle Slews hanging in his living room...he worked for Mr. Turner.

[crosscreeksh]

Tongue ties are usually made of a strip of old standing bandage material(flannel not synthetic) which in the "old days" were routinely gray flannel. For the most part gray flannel has been replaced by more fashionable colors. The gray was harder to see than white! Tongue ties have been done for ages!

[Delaneythehorsegirl]

It is a tongue strap. The reason they put it in there is because when horses at running at such high speeds there tongue tends to flip back in their mouth and down their throats causing asphyxiation. It is not so that they don't play with their tongue it is simply for safety purposes for horses that tend to do this while racing. It is not painful to the horse and they do not seem to mind wearing it.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

I have never heard it called anything other than a Sure Win.

I've called it an Australian noseband (http://www.horse-tack-and-equestrian-clothing.com/horse-bits-australian-noseband-prod1098.html) for decades.

[crosscreeksh]

That's not the same thing as a tongue tie, though.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

That's not the same thing as a tongue tie, though.

Yes, we're aware of that. Look back a couple of posts to the question about Seattle Slew and the rubber on his head.

[crosscreeksh]

Sorry - missed that line.

[Beverley]

I thought I also saw that he was wearing a ring bit?

[lelevic]

Here's a pic of BB in the Preakness. I think I see the ring bit on him as well judging from this picture.


http://sports.espn.go.com/horse/gallery/34013768.html

[Essie]

What is a ring bit used for? I see them used quite a bit on race horses.
I know just enough about racing to be dangerous. :lol:

[DickHertz]

I've called it an Australian noseband (http://www.horse-tack-and-equestrian-clothing.com/horse-bits-australian-noseband-prod1098.html) for decades.

I've tried asking a tack shop lady for a Shur-win once and she didn't know what it was until I said "The Seattle Slew rubber noseband" and then she knew exactly what it was.

[DickHertz]

What is a ring bit used for? I see them used quite a bit on race horses.
I know just enough about racing to be dangerous. :lol:

Ring bits give riders a little more control for rank horses and they can be useful for horses who tend to get out on the turns.

[CYF]

I've tried asking a tack shop lady for a Shur-win once and she didn't know what it was until I said "The Seattle Slew rubber noseband" and then she knew exactly what it was.

hmm...?
Geographical thing maybe? I've only ever heard it called a "Win-A-Lot"
;)