Podcast #034 – The TMJ Of Horses

The temporomandibular joints connect the jaw (mandible) to the skull. It is the most active joint in the horse’s body, moving on average 25,000 times per day – or 9 million chews per year. It has evolved over the horse’s evolution to be a sturdy yet flexible joint.

Horse owners often define the TM joints as a condition rather than a joint. For example, my horse has “TMJ,” which describes a syndrome that may not involve the joint. Rather, the connective tissues may give rise to pain. But is this true? Could there be pain located elsewhere that is causing a secondary discomfort in the general area of these joints?

This podcast discusses my experience with tens of thousands of horses and what I have found in my observations, and I compare this to what others say about “TMJ” in horses.

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