The Swede's horse had a blue tongue: "Unacceptable"

On an image from the Olympic Games dressage in Versailles, it can be seen how Swedish rider Patrik Kittel's horse Touchdown had a blue tongue, something that Expressen was the first to report. Unacceptable, says Göran Åkerström, chief veterinarian at the International Equestrian Federation.

» Updated:

» Published:

The Swede's horse had a blue tongue: "Unacceptable"
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

A horse's tongue is normally pink in color, a blue tongue is a sign of oxygen deficiency – something that can occur when the bit creates too much pressure in the horse's mouth.

When Expressen asks Patrik Kittel about the image, which was taken by a press photographer during the OS qualification in dressage, he leaves the scene.

The International Equestrian Federation's chief veterinarian, Göran Åkerström, has seen the image of Touchdown's tongue.

It's just one image I've seen. We've been very clear that it's a blue tongue and it's unacceptable, he says to TT.

The Federation has also examined images taken by its own photographer, and has acted accordingly.

"Issued a verbal warning"

We've already addressed this issue with several riders and nations, including all federation captains and then a small number of riders and teams, who have been questioned and issued a verbal warning, says Åkerström and continues:

We'll continue to monitor this, we have a few hundred images to review today as well, and I hope I don't find anything like this, because then we'll have to take action against that rider too if it's the case.

Those who receive a verbal warning will not be made public.

I can't comment on the names at all. The policy is not to disclose who receives verbal warnings, says Åkerström.

Want to achieve change

What we want to achieve is not punishment, it's change. It's extremely important that we feel that the riders are on board with this, and we feel that they are, he continues.

All horses are examined by officials after competitions, they check if the horse has, for example, wounds or a blue tongue. A blue tongue can, however, quickly pass, explains Åkerström.

It's like if you put a rubber band around your index finger, it turns blue, when you remove the rubber band it regains its normal color. The same thing applies to the tongue, when you release the pressure on the bit, the blood circulation returns to normal, and the tongue returns to its normal color.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal