Cassie had her routine treatment today, she was quite uncomfortable and restricted through her nearside shoulder. ☆ Her owner could not think of anything different apart from changing her Bit. ☆ Now this sent alarm bells 🔔 ringing. ☆ Cassie has a tendency to cross her Jaw to evade the bit. The effect on the tongue can sometimes cause your horse to shorten there stride whilst they are messing about in there mouth they are not concentrating on the job in hand. ☆ Certain muscles in the horse’s tongue connect to a small set of bones in the throat called the Hyoid. ☆ The hyoid apparatus is a Y-shaped group of bones that joins onto the skull and provides attachment for several muscles, including the tongue. Originating from these bones are major neck muscles, ☆ The main attached muscles are the omohyoideus, sternohyoideus and sternothyroideus. ☆ The sternothyroideus originates on the sternum and inserts on the thyroid cartilage. The sternohyoideus originates on the sternum and inserts on the basihyoid bone. The omohyoideus originates on the subscapular fascia near the shoulder joint. ☆ Tightness in these muscles can also cause tension in the TMJ. The pectorals are connected to the sternum, this is where you will also see tension. This can also cause tension in other musculoskeletal structures. ☆ Restrictions of motion of the hyoid can potentially affect the mobility of the forelimb during locomotion. ☆