Its long, narrow shape, characteristic of herbivorous animals, allows the horse to grasp food effectively with the assistance of its lips and teeth.

While a mare licks her foal extensively immediately after birth, there is limited research on the gustatory sensitivity of horses and the social functions of their tongues.

Equestrianism involves potential contact between the horse's tongue and a bit, necessitating precautions to prevent injury to this sensitive, highly vascularized organ.

Compression from inappropriate bitting can cause the horse's tongue to turn white or blue, which may adversely affect the animal's overall health.

The upper section, referred to as the dorsal lingual cartilage, contains muscle cells and adipose tissue, while the ventral surface is covered by a thinner layer.

[5] Research conducted in 2000 by C. J. Pfeiffer, M. Levin, and M. A. F. Lopes identified localized groups of epidermal cells within the horse's tongue, notable for their high content of specific cytoplasmic granules, which may contribute to structural strength in relation to mechanical taste buds.

[8] Comparative anatomical studies indicate that the fine structure of the tongue in horses exhibits a more primitive pattern than that observed in goats and cattle.

Additionally, horses possess two large circumvallate taste buds, while goats and cattle have 15 or more situated in the posterior region of the tongue.

[3] Similar to all mammals, this sense is closely linked to olfaction, enabling horses to perceive what Michel-Antoine Leblanc refers to as "flaveurs".

[11] Like many mammals, horses respond to bitter, salty, sweet, acidic, and umami tastes,[2] as well as to their concentrations, which can trigger specific gustatory reactions.

[2] According to ethologists Gerry and Julia Karen Neugebauer, horses utilize their tongues for various behaviors, including licking, chewing, submissive gestures, yawning, and drinking.

[22] In addition to the sense of smell, taste may play a role in the bond between a foal and its mother, as suggested by Belgian researcher Franck Ödberg.

[15] Chewing in horses is a combination of licking and mastication, during which the mouth is open and the tongue is visible, leading to saliva secretion.

The posture of the young horse resembles that of suckling, producing sucking noises in rhythm with the clicking of its tongue against the roof of its mouth.

Certain tongue-related behaviors in horses may lack specific functions and resemble tics or stereotypies, indicating unsuitable living conditions and a need for care.

[26][29] One such tic involves the horse extending its tongue out of its mouth and twirling it while displaying a detached facial expression, suggesting a lack of stimulation in its environment.

[30] Infections of the horse's tongue can occur, such as one caused by the bacterium Actinobacillus lignieresii, which most commonly affects cattle, as reported in 1984.

[34] In 2014, the first case of adenocarcinoma, a malignant tumor that affected a third of the dorsal part of the tongue of an elderly horse, was cited in the scientific literature.

[36] Grabbing a horse's tongue is a commonly recognized method for immobilizing the animal; however, care must be taken to avoid rough handling.

[37][3] Some authors suggest that stretching the tongue to the side can help desensitize it, while others caution against this practice due to the sensory issues it may cause.

[43] The main cause of tongue injuries in horses is the use of the bit during riding, whether due to the actions of the rider's hands or to unsuitable equipment.

[48][49] In racing, it is common practice to tie a racehorse's tongue to enhance control over the animal and due to the belief that this may facilitate easier breathing.

[50] However, there is no evidence that tongue attachment can alter upper respiratory tract mechanics after sternothyrohyoid myectomy (cutting of certain muscles) in clinically normal horses.