Podcast #034 – The TMJ Of Horses

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

The TM joints are often defined by horse owners as a condition rather than a joint. My horse has “TMJ” is describing a syndrome that may not involve the joint at all. 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 discusses what I have found in my observations and I compare this to what others say about “TMJ” in horses.