Jaw Releases for More Effective Communication

[@kelsieemerson5120]

I have been looking for a hyoid release to try that isn't as dangerous as the other method that involves grabbing the horse's tongue. I'm an equine massage therapist and have a client whose horse has severe pain and tension in all the muscles that influence the hyoid. She rolls her tongue out of her mouth to the right on a regular basis. Today was her third session with me and I used this method at the beginning of the massage and then again at the end after releasing tension in all the muscles related to the hyoid. I did each side separately for about 5 minutes and, after much flailing of the tongue, finally had a normal tongue response. I did both sides again for a few seconds and no more tongue-rolling at all! She relaxed with a huge breath and I am so pleased. This coupled with dental work and a change in bit should get her back on track to being pain-free. Thank you so much for this tutorial.

[@MRDwyer-cu3mv]

When I told my brother, who as a teen worked at Blue Bonnets Raceway, he said that tongue massage was standard practice with the racehorses (they tie down their tongues for racing!). He recalled a mare who particularly enjoyed the massage, and whenever she saw him, she stuck out her tongue! (Bro! what you been doin with that horse? LOL)

[@prillyg]

I have a horse that really has a hard time releasing the jaw and this is exactly what I'm doing with him. I've done with one side at a time and both. I haven't seen anybody else do this until I saw this video. very nice to know that I'm not insane. LOL it's helping him but he's not quick. He likes to hide inside. HE was born this way. From the owner, the breeder saw that he wasn't a normal baby and was going to get rid of him and the owner traded her best MFT for him. And then she surrendered him to me 10 years later. I've had him for 2 years. I have to say "see me" he'll loook like he's looking off into the distance but really , nobody is there, he's crawled inside himself. He's gotten better but we have a ways to go. thank you for this video.

[@jcarroccio7844]

super information, will begin to do this with my horse! thank you!

[@margaretmeaker2830]

Thanks Patrick. You explain exceptional well. Camera work was also good. My horse is a headshaker - just got him. One of the issues identified was severe TMJ tension..so of course I'm looking at all the methods I can use to help.him.. your video has really helped. So thanks again. I definitely plan.to.use it in my boy..

[@massageequus8635]

Good job! I totally agree on your method (and not to pull out the tongue) and have so many awsome effects in my practice as an equine osteopath. Thanx for sharing!

[@StaticRooster]

My boy loves this, we'll do this before every other ride and watch him flex and move his mouth around and then relax right after. If he's not keen he'll just pull away :>

[@jessica-walt]

Thanks for this video. I have a horse that refuses to open for the bit.....he will open for me with just a thumb in there other times, but hates the bit. I'm going to try wrapping the bit in fruit rollups and also going to try this exercise.

[@saturnslipper]

💙What a lovely eye/compact head this mare has! Couldn't be sure, but she sure.looks like an Arabian.

[@danstephens1260]

My horse had always been very mouthy to the point he is distracted. I now ride him in a bosal and he does ok for the most part but I am understanding now how much tension there is and how it must be and hopefully I haven't done any unrepairable damage to his frame.

[@kchajka]

Hello! I submitted a video for the inhand course, thank you for your help. My horse has tension and jaw release was recommended. I had a little bit of finding the one described in the course, but it is the same as this one I believe? Thank you again, I think this will really help us.

[@hoofhearted3035]

This technique looks fabulous. I can't wait to try it on my two horses tomorrow. One question, though: In training my horses when ever I introduce a little pressure, what ever it may be, I only release when they move toward the correct answer, however slight that move is. Depending on the cue and desired response, sometimes I give a release when they lower their heads ever so slightly. My mare being 16.1 hands, when she raises her head all the way up I can't reach her. So, if I put my fingers in her mouth and she tries to evade this "pressure"by raising her head and backing up, I can't stay with her to wait for the lowering of her head because I simply cannot reach that high. (The answer just came to me.....perhaps I can "approach and retreat" by putting my thumbs in her mouth for just a moment and removing them right away before she has a chance to evade. Then I can lengthen the amount of time I spend in her mouth until she accepts it.) Great video, Patrick. Thank you for taking the time to make it. I'm looking forward to learning more from you.

[@PatrickKingHorsemanship]

Sounds like you're on the right track!

[@rlews1531]

Not to make a big deal of this but this originates in the work of Baucher. And given the sometimes ugliness directed that way, it might help for us to acknowledge the parts of his technique that are adopted even if there might be some techniques that you don't. It just seems too bad for people to act like training is a ball game, with people rooting for one and against another.

[@comesahorseman]

See also, Lessons in Lightness by Mark Russell.

[@PatrickKingHorsemanship]

Yes yes! Mark was a teacher and friend. His book and video are fantastic!

[@shan752]

Great video thank you! I do this to my horse esp. before getting on her or if we are doing ground work or even going for a run/walk. (I like to train with her for my 5K's. Instead of using a dog. ) On the ground this maneuver truly makes her relax from a small spook so the spooks don't build up and eventually get explosive on a trail run/walk. Do you have a suggestion as to how to do this when in the saddle? I don't know how to accomplish this maneuver to relax her jaws in the saddle. Any ideas? thanks so much.

[@PatrickKingHorsemanship]

The following video should help. These can be done from the saddle as well as the ground. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6rOg5t4ncR5oZo

[@susannemetzger9103]

Hi. Excellent video thank you. I'm completely new to this so I have a couple of very basic questions - 1 How do you know if or when your horse needs this release? And 2 what difference will I see or feel in my horse? With many thanks. Susanne

[@janekiceniuk1578]

I'm going to start doing this with my mare. Keeps her mouth tight, jaw tight, tongue is not relaxed always is pulling way up in her mouth(along with the bit & she is putting her tongue over the bit.

[@kimp2376]

Is this something that can be done with the bitted bridle on prior to mounting?

[@danstephens1260]

When introducing this. If my horse is resistant, are the first lessons just introduction to this method or do I need make sure I get the softer tongue??

[@lgoodkey4193]

Awesome

[@janekiceniuk1578]

Hi, I've been doing this with my mare. In the beginning it took a long time, her tongue was everywhere for a long time. Now, her initial response is to try & remove my thumbs but she quickly slows down. I don't remove my thumbs until she quietly lets her tongue lay still. Is that correct or a slow relaxed movement is just enough?

[@debtompkins5363]

ever come across a horse with an offset jaw due to injury

[@rebeccamatist7036]

so just rest your thumbs on the bars? do you add pressure if they dont respond at first?

[@TruthTiger369]

Go to 2.17min and he explains minimal pressure used

[@kchajka]

Not sure I understand what reaction we're looking for?

[@PatrickKingHorsemanship]

A relaxed working of the jaw/tongue - like this mare offers in the clip. To begin with, most horses will be very active/animated (some even stoic without moving at all). The approach is the same in either case, waiting until the tongue works in a relaxed manner.

[@kchajka]

Patrick King Horsemanship thank you! Looking forward to when you come up to NY in spring!

[@roosmarijn6249]

I tried it immediately yesterday. One horse lets me do it and relaxes very quickly, the other pulls away and holds his head up so high, I cannot touch his chin.

[@PatrickKingHorsemanship]

Roos marijn it can take some time for a horse to relax into this idea, and it is well worth the effort for the relaxation that brings to the entire body

[@roosmarijn6249]

Patrick King Horsemanship tried it again this afternoon, one side at a time and he didn't act like 'aaargh, what are you doing?'. The other horse got so relaxed that he completely brought his head down with his muscle on the ground. Went for a hack after and he behaved better even. Less spooking and throwing tantrums. Many thanks!

[@DARKhorses73]

Baucher!

[@shadeofblu74]

What do you do when your horse is dropping grain.

[@sharonconroy4057]

618 liked 👍🇦🇺✨