help me solve problem of mystery mouth movments ?

Red,

I'm also in the Sierras (Lower Madres). Some horses are just sloppy eaters unfortunately. I've got a QH mare like that and she ALWAYS drops her grain.

Grass hay is something that they feed anywhere but S. CA. LOL You can always give him more of that to keep him busy. I have always fed Alfalfa hay and as a grain I've used rolled barley corn to my TBs and running QH types to keep the fat on 'em but their brains intact.

I have a messy eater too. The tongue thing he does...that would make me think that something was 'stuck' in the mouth, around the teeth, in the gum or cheek.

The teeth may not need floated per your vet...but have you considered an equine dentist? They are specialists when it comes to the equine teeth. Where I live...the cost for the specialist is only $20 more than the vet. Well worth the extra dough for me...because I thought I had a problem with the falling food from my mare.

That behavior would have me searching too...

He could have fox tails in his mouth. You need a really good vet with a real desire to see what is going on.

does he eat all of his food? does he do this when he is bored, or when he is eating.... is there lots of saliva? does he stop eating to do this? how long has this been going on? Fox tails are now ripening, so he may have a load of those in his mouth and between his teeth. Usually a vet can see if he is distressed, or if this is just a stable vice that he does when he is bored. Lots of horses do this to pass the time, so it depends upon when he does this.

the key here is is he distressed when he does it, or is he simply bored.???

Have your horse checked by a Veterinarian that specializes in Equine Chiropractic. Could possibly have a subluxation in his/her axis or atlas resulting in pinched facial nerves.I have worked for an Equine Chiropractor for over 10 years and it still amazes me what can be done.

I agree that your vet probably is overlooking something. Have the horse's head thoroughly checked, ears, eyes, teeth, tongue and pallet. If the behaviour continues, consider having his gutteral pouches scoped for infection.

It could be head shaker's syndrome, it could be anything. You need a vet who's willing to come to some solid answers.

I have a stndardbred mare. She does the same things mostly before she gets fed and before she gets turned out. No medical issues nothing in her teeth. I think she is just showing her spirit which is a little goofy. The faces make me smile.

the shaking of the head and moving the tongue around sounds like he might have an ear infection or a large tick in his ear or something that is causing pressure in his ear

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