BARBARIC TONGUE TIES

Tongue Ties Are Still Legal — and Still Barbaric.

The racing world justifies tongue ties by claiming they prevent airway issues like dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP).

But mounting evidence — including peer-reviewed veterinary studies published for example in ‘Equine Veterinary Journal’ — shows they rarely help and often make things worse.

What they do reliably cause is stress, pain and restriction of natural functions.

Bit + Tongue Tie: A Cruel Combo That Compounds Harm

We already know that a bit is an invasive tool. It sits on the sensitive bars and tongue, relying on pressure — or pain, depending on who’s holding the reins — to deliver cues.

It disrupts the horse’s natural lip seal, can interfere with jaw relaxation, and has a ripple effect on the soft palate and overall breathing mechanics.

That alone should give anyone pause.

But then someone adds a tongue tie to the equation.

A tongue tie is usually a rubber band or strap wrapped around the horse’s tongue and fastened under the jaw.

The idea is to stop the tongue from flicking over the bit, or supposedly to “help” with breathing issues like DDSP.

But what actually happens is far more damaging.

You’re locking down movement in one of the most sensitive, vital parts of the body.

Let’s break it down:

Total Oral Restriction

The bit is already applying pressure inside the mouth. Add a tongue tie and now the horse can’t move their tongue to relieve discomfort, adjust, or even swallow properly.

The tongue isn’t just a piece of flesh — it’s connected to the hyoid apparatus, which links directly to the larynx and has a major impact on the throat and breathing.

When you immobilize the tongue, you restrict the horse’s entire upper airway function.

Intensified Pain and Stress

If the bit is uncomfortable (think sharp-jointed or narrow bits), the tongue tie prevents the horse from doing anything about it.

Imagine being in constant pain and having no ability to shift or escape it.

That’s what a tongue tie is doing to them.

You’ll see the fallout — head tossing, mouth gaping, bracing — all signs of stress and attempts to cope.

And every one of those reactions makes breathing harder.

Breathing Gets Worse, Not Better

Despite claims that tongue ties prevent DDSP, the evidence doesn’t hold up.

Multiple studies (yes, real ones, in respected veterinary journals) show that tongue ties don’t reliably fix breathing issues. In fact, they often cause more stress — which only adds to respiratory strain.

Tension kills airflow. Period.

Disrupted Soft Palate Function

When the bit breaks the lip seal and the tongue tie anchors the tongue, it messes with the pressure inside the mouth. That destabilizes the soft palate and can make DDSP more likely, especially under exertion.

The horse is trying to breathe hard, and you’ve turned their mouth into a battlefield.

What do YOU think?

Join the conversation on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/@NoAussieHorseSlaughter