The temporomandibular joints connect the jaw (mandible) to the skull. They are the most active joint in the horse’s body, moving on average 25,000 times per day—or 9 million chews per year. Over time, they have evolved to be sturdy yet flexible.

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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