Swelling at the Mandible Bone of a Horse

Although horses experience few dental problems, swelling of the mandible or jaw bone is not uncommon. More common in young horses, swelling in this area is often associated with the eruption of new teeth; however, there are other possible causes.

  1. Bit Damage

    • Excessive head shaking when being ridden, difficulty in eating and swelling along the jaw are often symptoms of bone spurs on the mandible bone. These most often occur in the interdental space of the horse's lower jaw. Usually caused by repeated bruising by a bit, these spurs must often be removed surgically. Horses ridden with excessive contact are most susceptible to this type of damage.

    Trauma

    • While fractures of the equine mandible bone are not common, a horse that reaches through fence panels or other close spaces, then pulls back suddenly, may severely injure the jaw bone. Similar injuries can occur when a horse pulls back on a halter.These swellings make take several weeks to go down; in some cases surgery may be necessary.

    Abscesses

    • Swelling along the mandible can also be noted when a tooth abscesses. Foul smelling breath and difficulty in eating are symptoms of a tooth abscess. Infections of the guttural pouch can also lead to swelling along the mandible bone.