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.
