Lots of licking lips?

Rick is doing much better this week!! Confounded horse! Up to his normal behavior, sweet, alert, 100% different than last Thursday! Still waiting for blood results... He's activating all four legs, no dragging or swaying, even fought Cowboy and was charging around the field Sunday!

Question: Have you ever had a horse that licks their lips often?
I'm not talking occasionally but often. Seems Rick does it like a habit. His teeth have been checked, he doesn't have a cold or infection that I can find. Looked deep at his tounge, no sores or cuts. This isn't anything new he's done this since I got him, just becoming more aware of how often.
He stands there licks, grazes, looks at me, licks, walks up to one of the other horses, licks, walks around the field, pauses and licks...

Why or what can this be? I know they often lick when they are thinking but I hardly think I have a genius on my hands!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think lip licking is a sign of submission as well.

Is he a submissive horse?
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He is to a point, but not the low man on the totem pole. I was messing with them this morning and he'll nip my mare and play fight with my other gelding. He's so great to be around, I've just never seen licking to this extent?

Has me stumped.
I have a gelding that does it to an extent but not as much as your guys sounds like he does.

Maybe he gets dry lips? Needs to keep 'em moist for the ladies? Lol.
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HAHAHA!!! Yep, he's a lover! Acts a little studdy and grumbles at the girls... Sorry dude but you ain't packin!

Hahaha. Right? Rick does sound kind of studdy.

"aww yeah, you know you want these lips. *lick, studdy eyed look, lick*"
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I really wouldn't be concerned about excessive "lip licking" haha.

My guy is the exact same as yours! He will eat then lick, drink then lick, stand in the crossties and lick his lips the whole time, etc. He's a happy, outgoing horse and I honestly think he licks his lips to keep him entertained! He is a very mouthy guy and my trainer says he's just like a baby sucking on a soother, but instead he licks his lips. Haha, or it's like a habit he just does...like how I constantly touch my hair. He's bored, and wants something to keep him busy. ;)

If there's not any abnormalities in his regular behaviour, I really wouldn't be worried!
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That sounds just like my boy! He's "mouthy" too not nippy. Loves lips tickled and I have to rub them during a vet or farrier visit to make him stand still lol!
I've never had a horse like him, just waiting for the day he sticks his tounge up his nose like a cow! Wouldn't put it past him.
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Haha I'm constantly waiting for Robbie to lick a frozen pole in the winter. He must touch everything with his tounge so I warned him the vet will not be called out if he decides to... ;)
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I also have a feeling that our boys would get along great, just stand around licking each other!
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