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Discussion on Newborn foal with it's tongue hanging out

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Sherri Dannenberg
Member
Username: Mszoey

Post Number: 28
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2004 - 9:55 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I have a foal born out of an old mare, 24 year old mare, she has been a broodmare for several years, always has had healthy babies. This foal had a bright red tongue, I noticed it seemed to "hang out" not just a licking type of motion. He nurses fine. He is now 5 days old, most of the time he will put his tongue in, but he lets it hang out quite often, about an inch or more. He has a contracted tendon on one front foot and a angular deformity on the other front leg, and a bit weak in the rear hocks, "outside" of all of this he is a pretty happy guy, nurses well, acts like most normal colts, the contracted tendon is starting to come along, he straightens it from time to time. what is with this tongue thing, does he have a mental-physical disability due to the age of the mare, such as humans can? such as Downs syndrome, etc. ..,
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Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro

Post Number: 10047
Registered: 1-1997
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 - 6:46 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

While I cannot judge if he has other problems, the tongue thing by itself is not much concern as you see foals who do this from time to time. As he grows older he will do this less and less. To evaluate him for other troubles a thorough nervous system exam that concentrates on the cranial nerves should be done.
DrO
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George Taglioli
Member
Username: Tagloili

Post Number: 56
Registered: 4-2002
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 - 7:04 am:   Edit PostPrint Post

Sherri, I have a five year old mare who while a yearling, did the same thing and it also appeared as those one side of her face was like paralyzed. However, when she became a weanling, all stopped and she is now fine.
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Sherri Dannenberg
Member
Username: Mszoey

Post Number: 29
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 - 3:34 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

thank you Dr. O and George, I have had several foals each year, but I have never seen one hang his tongue as such. He is no different than most colts, outside of this tongue thing. With the mare being the age she is, it had me wondering, thank you both
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Beth Gordon
Member
Username: Bethyg2

Post Number: 25
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 - 4:15 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I don't know if this helps or if it is even the same kind of thing, but my 11 year old paint gelding hangs his tongue out constantly. It looks ridiculous but it's sort of his bad habit. According to his previous owner/ breeder he has done this from day one. He is my smartest horse ever.-Beth Gordon
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Shirley A. Johnson
Member
Username: Shirl

Post Number: 93
Registered: 2-2002
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2004 - 4:25 pm:   Edit PostPrint Post

I have a mare that not only hangs her tongue out occasionally, but during these times, she'll move her mouth back and forth on the rail, rubbing her tongue and teeth. It's hysterical to watch, and it's like she almost hypnotizes herself this way.
She's a clown anyway. Shirl
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