Which habit in the show ring is worse???

You could use PB for all of your schooling, though, and maybe start to fix his bad habit.

I knew a horse that would stick his tongue out as soon as he'd relax. Whether someone was riding him or if he was just out in a pasture. Beautiful horse, extremely talented but would always get marked down in the submission area because, more often than not, it's an indication of the horse not being submissive. Even though this is not the case with this horse.

Nope, my trainer has a very strict rule that none of her students are allowed to use any piece of equipment, trick, etc that is not legal in the show ring. She believes they are like pacifiers and that riders and horses become dependent on them instead of correcting the problem with good hard work. Being that this is HER personal horse which students usually do not get to ride, I do not dare do anything against her rules as I consider it a great privilege to be able to use him while my own horse heals from his injury.

I'd still be willing to bet that the tongue thing (even after watching the video) is related to some other part of his body and/or training. Of course that's just my two cents so... *shrug*

I've never heard of teeth grinding before. I guess if it was severe it could be a sign of restistance..
Tounge flopping on the other hand, according to the rules i've competed with is a huge nono. 2 marks deducted from every movement in which the tongue is out.
Its an awful, awful habit :(

I my friends horse does the exact same thing. He sticks it out the side and lets it hang. Lol it looks hilarious.

I would say the tongue is worse. I have been to quite a few hack shows and as the hacks pass you as you are warming up all you can hear is them grinding their teeth or having irritating gut noises. If she is grinding it most likely means she is nervous. My tb used to grind when I first got him becuase he was very nervy but he eventually got out of it as he trusted me more.

Good luck

Teeth grinding causes horses to lock their jaws around the bit and is a def sign of resisting submission. I see it on my score sheets all the time. *sighs*

We have an OTTB that does almost the exact same thing Cinny. The vet diagnosed it as either a boredom induced habit like cribbing or a slight neurological/nerve issue. I've always leaned toward a vice because it's like he sucks on his tongue. He gets a mint a few minutes before going in the ring. Most of the time it keeps him busy... but if anyone forgets, he does get marks off for submission. Kinda sucks cause otherwise he has beautiful tests.