Luna Tunes    Cynthia Collins   Satisfied Clients   Freestyle Clinics   Price Lists   Ulcers

 

Horse or Equine TMJ and Joint Problems

 TMJ and joint problems in horses are issues I have seen in many horses.  Signs that your horse could be having TMJ problems are numerous. 

They may include:  

feeling heavy in your hands      

pulling the reins out of your hands

head twisting, head tossing, or head shaking (causing riders to think the horse doesn't like the bit)

stiffness in it's neck or back (causing riders to think that the saddle doesn't fit)

sometimes even balking, rearing, bucking, or other violent behaviors

     The main cause of TMJ problems sometimes start with dental work.  Your horse MUST have it's teeth floated by a veterinarian.  The natural wear and tear and growth of teeth, makes this necessary.  However, having the jaw placed in the spectrum that clicks as it opens can cause the TMJ to become sore and get out of it's natural alignment.  For horses that must go "on the bit," this places additional stress on the TMJ.   This joint can cause the horse an enormous amount of pain, which if it's gone on for a while, can be intolerable. 

   It's not your fault, most riders have never heard of this before.  Many vets do not realize the pain and behavior problems this small joint can cause.  The great thing is that it is an easy fix.  Please read on.

    What is the TMJ?  This is the Temporal Mandible Joint.  "The mandible (lower jaw bone) of the horse is the largest bone in the face.  When seen from the side, it is shaped like a boomerang, one end at the mouth, the other in the area of the cranium.  Here it articulates with the temporal bone, at a joint formed by the temporal fossa and the coranoid process." (The illustrated Veterinary Encyclopedia for Horsemen, p. 319)  It is located behind and just above the eye on both sides of the face.  

    How do I know if my horse's TMJ is sore?  Besides the symptoms I mentioned above, there is a very easy way to check the TMJ.   It is easier to find when the horse's bridle is on.  If you look where the brow band meets the cheek piece, you will find two bumps.  These are the two bones of the TMJ.   Just below these two bones, as you run your fingers toward the mouth, you can feel two nerves that run down the side of the horse's face.  This is where you can check if your horse has a sore TMJ.  If you press on these two nerves, just below the two bumps, there should not be any reaction.  This would mean the TMJ is normal.  However if you press here and your horse slowly moves away or tilts it's poll away from the pressure, your horse does have a sore TMJ.  Be careful, some horses are so sore, they will move away very quickly and violently.

    What do you do if your horse has a sore TMJ?  The first thing is to find a veterinarian chiropractor who is familiar with this joint.  Some of them are and some are not.  If you cannot find one who is, but is willing to learn about this problem, I would be happy to put them in touch with a vet or explain to them how to adjust the TMJ.  It is relatively easy once you know where to place your hands.  If however, your horse's chiropractor does adjust the TMJ and it is still sore, your veterinarian may need to inject the joint.  This is usually a one time injection of Legend and cortizone.   My vet would be happy to share with your vet the dosage and placement of the injection.  Simply contact me, and I will give you my vet, Dr. Lenhart of Apple Valley Equine Hospital, phone number.  Your vet can call him and he will be happy to share the exact dose, type, and location of the injection.  This procedure takes a few minutes and is usually a one time treatment.  It could make a world of difference in your riding and your horse's comfort and ability to perform movements. Your horse's behavior could completely change overnight.

    The correct alignment of the TMJ is extremely important for all horses.  But it is critical if we expect our horses to perform in a correct manner. 

   I cannot express enough how this small joint can cause many horses extreme pain.

 

    Hocks and Joints

    Another problem for performance horses are sore hocks.  It is very hard for a rider to feel a hind end lameness.  It is also hard to see a hind end lameness unless you have developed an eye for it.  Usually, the rider feels that the horse is not pushing from behind like it used to or it's just hard to get the horse to go forward on it's own.  The easiest way is to do a flex test on the hocks.  This is a two person job.  One to be at the head of the horse ready to trot him off immediately after the second person flexes the hocks tightly for at least 60 seconds.  If the horse take even one bad step, you could have hock problems starting.  There are various treatments available to help.

    At that point you need to have a vet inject the horse's hocks.  "Corticosteroids are the most potent anti-inflammatories."  (USDF Connection, Feb. 2004, pg. 41.) Many people feel this should be avoided and with the use of old cortisones, this was a concern.  However, the newer generation cortisones are safe to use every 4 months with little side affects.  In fact, some have been proven to produce healthier cartilage. The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) in conjunction with steroid treatment has been well-applied in the veterinary world for years. HA is no longer thought to have a primary function as a joint lubricant, since its anti-inflammatory effects are more important.

     There is another option available that utilizes the horse's own cells to aid in the healing process.  This process is known as IRAP or interleukin-1 receptor antagonist proteins.  IRAP was developed in Europe as a treatment for osteoarthritis.  The vet draws the horse's blood in a special tube.  The blood is processed to produce regenerative and anti-inflammatory proteins, which are injected back into the horse's joints.  This process can be extremely useful with less complications of corticosteroids.

     Another useful tool new to the vet world is extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ESW.  This can very effective when used on bone changes and tendons and ligaments where they connect to the bones.  A specific sound wave is used to penetrate the body and release energy.  This energy stimulates the body's own healing process. ESW can significantly reduce lameness and synovial fluid in the lower joints of the hock and in the rear third of the heel associated with soft tissue trauma.

    Of course, maintenance of the joints is extremely important.  Adding Glucosamine to your horses maintenance program is very important.  "Glycosaminoglycans inhibit the enzymes that damage cartilage."  (USDF Connection, Feb. 2004, pg. 41.)  Studies have proven that the use of intramuscular injections do help to maintain healthy joints.  There are three on the market; Adequan, ChondroProtec, Acetyl-D-Glucosamine 20%. You can obtain these from your vet or have your vet write you a prescription.  They should be given every four  to seven days.  There are several companies that you can purchase your glucosamine, I have found Precision Pharmacy a reliable source for Acetyl-D-Glucosamine 20%.  Their contact information is listed on the Ulcer page of this web site.

 

Supplements for the Equine Athlete

    One product that should be added regularly for maintenance is Hyaluronic Acid.  It "binds to proteoglycans and prevents the leakage of cartilage components.  It stabilizes cell membranes." (USDF Connection, Feb. 2004, pg. 41.)  This is extremely important to maintain healthy joints.  I have found the most inexpensive way to add this is to buy Hyaluronic Acid capsules.  I give 50 -200 mg per day.  I simply take the capsules apart and sprinkle in the grain.  A new study in Great Britain has shown that feed through Hyaluronic Acid DOES get absorbed by the horse and DOES enter the joints.  You can get them at www.puritan.com 

      By adding dehydrated green cabbage, and MSM, your horse can produce it's own Glucosamine for it's joints.  The green cabbage is full of the amino acid, L-Glutamine, this is what the body uses to make joint fluid.  You feed 1/2 cup of dried cabbage. I have found this to be the extremely effective.  You can get the freeze dried cabbage at www.harmonyhousefoods.com  I use this instead of artificial joint supplements.  I do this for two reasons, one is that no one has proven that glucosamine is absorbed through the horse's digestive track.  And two, because there is no regulation on the supplement companies, the containers rarely have the amount of supplements that are stated on their labels.  There have been several studies in the last few years that have proven a huge variation on what is printed on the label and what is actually in the bucket.  With the cabbage and MSM, I know exactly what my horse is getting.  I have seen great results in feeding this way.  I have been able to go from having joints injected every 3 months to every 12 months.  My horse moves better than ever.

   New research has found that the herb Rosa Canina, or better known as Rose hips, can reduce inflammation in the joints.  The research in a double blind study showed horses given 210 grams of Rosa Canina every day showed better movement and less pain than horses who did not receive the herb.  This herb has shown to be effective in human studies and now it has been shown to be effective in horses too.  You can get it in powder and give one tablespoon per day from www.glenbrookfarm.com/herbs.

     Research has proven efficacy of the use of omega-3 fatty acids to inhibit enzymes that break down the cartilage matrix. In a three- to four-month period, horses supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids seemed to have less stiffness and pain related to osteoarthritis. You can add Omega- 3 to your horses system, by adding 1/2 cup of Rice Bran and/or Flax Seeds (ground or soaked).

   New research on using a supplement with avocado and soy, which is thought to somewhat decrease interleukin-1 levels and cartilage disease scores.  I add soy beans that have been soaked for 8 hours then drained and 1/4 of a large avocado to my horse's daily meal.   Soy beans are almost all protein and low in sugar.  The high protein provides the horse to make 18 of 22 essential amino acids in it's own body.  Horses do not have a protein requirement, but rather an amino acid requirement. You can get the soy beans at Bulk Foods.  If soaking soy beans is a bit too time consuming, you can get soy bean pellets or meal from your local feed store.  I used 1 - 2 cups per day.

   A great healing food for all athletes are raw hulled pumpkin seeds.  They are high in nitric oxide which will heal anything that needs it.  You can get the  pumpkin seeds from www.bulkfoods.com  Soak a 1/2 cup in water for 8 hours, drain, then feed the following day. You can soak them with the soy beans.

  The advantage is this brings the seed alive and they are much more productive.  I have seen all my horses do better in a few months. As with all feed changes, you should take one to two weeks to work up to the suggested amounts.  Sometimes the horse is not sure about these when you first feed them.  Just keep adding them to hay pellets, in a short time the horse will develop a taste for them.  All my horses love this food.

Here is what I feed my athletic horses to help them perform at their best.  You can feed which ones you want.

Foods and supplements to help athletic horses:

1/2 cup Soy Bean meal or soy beans (soaked/drained) (high protein for amino acids),  

1/4 Avocado (high in minerals and Omega's)

1/2 cup Rice Bran and/or 1/2 cup flax seed (ground or soaked) (both contain Omega 3's),   

100 mg of Hyaluronic Acid (increases joint fluid),       

1 Tablespoon MSM (reduce inflammation)

1/2 cup dried cabbage (when fed with MSM, the L-Glutamine makes glucosamine for the joints)

1 Tablespoon of soaked/drained Fenugreek seeds (reduce inflammation in the joints),           

1/2 cup soaked/drained pumpkin seeds (heals everything)

1 Tablespoon Rosehips (rosa canina) powder

     It is important for the soundness of the horse to do everything that we can to help them perform.  Most "horse" products on the market are expensive with a 200 - 500 % mark up and recent studies have shown that many do not even contain the amounts of additives they claim.  I have found it less expensive to use the ingredients above. With the use of these things, I know exactly what they are getting and I believe I help their joints, thus staying more comfortable, performing better, and having a longer career.