TMJ Treatment for Horses

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an area of the horse's skull where the jaw connects with the temporal bone. When these bones are not aligned properly, the tissue around the TMJ mechanism becomes stressed, and leads to tension and pain in the horse's jaw. A horse suffering from this condition is said to have temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The condition has a number of possible symptoms, ranging from difficulty in eating to slight tension when being ridden.

  1. Diagnosing TMD

    • If you suspect that your horse has TMD, there are several warning signs to look out for. When you feed your horse, stay and watch it eat. Listen for a clicking noise as your horse chews. Check the bucket and surrounding area after it has finished eating to make sure there are no large quantities of uneaten food. A horse's jaw is designed to move equally from side to side as it chews. If your horse tries to eat only on one side of its mouth, or only moves its jaw in one direction, this could indicate pain. When ridden, a healthy and supple horse should be able to flex comfortably at the poll (the top of the head) and maintain a correct head carriage. If your horse resists or refuses to flex, it could be due to pain. Finally, run your hands up behind the jaw, following the curve of the cheek bone towards the eye. If the muscles around the jaw mandible are hard and tense or tender and sore, this could indicate TMD.

    Causes of TMD

    • The possible causes of TMD are multiple, but mostly are due to injury or tension. An incorrectly used or fitted bit or noseband can cause the horse to resist and put pressure on the jaw. Incorrect or infrequent dental work can cause unevenness in the mouth and pressure on the mandibles. Diet also can be a factor. Horses that have no pasture grazing risk not stretching their neck muscles out correctly. Horses that feed from hayracks mounted on a wall must eat with their heads at an awkward angle. In addition, a horse that is tied up and pulls back in fright may strain the head and neck muscles, and damage the TMJ.

    Treating TMD

    • In suspected cases of TMD, an equine dental technician or veterinarian will be able to confirm the diagnosis. Working with your veterinarian, you first must look for the cause and remove it before treatment. This could mean changing the horse's tack, work schedule or feeding routine. Removing the source of the problem should go a long way towards solving it, but your veterinarian also may recommend rest, massage, physiotherapy or pain-killing injections. Some horses are more susceptible to TMD than others, and may have to follow a management system for life. If the problem has been caused by poorly maintained or unevenly worn teeth, an equine dentist will be able to remove the source of the issue and restore balance.

    Preventing TMD

    • To help prevent the condition, allow your horse as natural a feeding program as possible. Horses that graze for 16 hours a day are far less susceptible, as they have ample opportunity to extend and flex their jaws in the correct manner while eating, and also can stretch and relax neck and back muscles. Follow a regular dental program, and always take note of changes in your horse's feeding habits. If your horse starts to resist work that it always has coped with before, investigate the warning signs.