Osteoarthritis of the Equine TMJ

be sold. But she wanted answers. Online research led her to Dr. Travis Smyths thesis Osteoarthritis of the Equine TMJ. Smyth was a graduate student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine WCVM University of Saskatchewan and Dr. James Carmalt was his supervisor throughout his surgical residency and post graduate degree. In no time Rose was in touch with Smyth who introduced her to Carmalt. On January 19 2019 Rose loaded Julio into the trailer for the journey to WCVM Saskatoon for a CT scan tests and full examination. She had no idea at the time that Julio would not be coming home until June.
Research into TMJs recently took a major step forward. The Mark and Pat DuMont Equine Orthopedics Research Fund awarded 50000 to Carmalt for a study focusing on the TMJ joints. In addition he received a graduate student stipend of 18000 to support his research teams work on the investigation of the impact of TMJ inflammation on equine performance.
People typically say their horse has TMJ when referring to this condition but that is something of a misnomer.  
All mammals have two TMJs one on each side of the head allowing the mandible to be hung under the cranium says Carmalt. Im trying to talk people out of calling this problem TMJ. TMJ when used in this manner is actually a colloquial term for disease of the temporomandibular joint which can be shortened to TMD. Failure to respond to the bit rein or bridlelameness which is only visible or felt by the rider or unexplained explosive behaviour under saddle may be associated with TMD. It is important to rule out other causes such as pain from the neck or back other causes of lameness or behavioural problems before focusing on the TMJs. At this point the TMJ should be treated like any other joint. Local anesthesia a joint block should be performed and the horse reassessed. If this fundamentally changes the movement of the horse or ameliorates the offensive behavior then it is more likely that the TMJs are the source of the problem.
The causes of the disease may be many and varied and several suggestions have been put forward. Causes might include horses eating out of raised hay racks use of restrictive nosebands improperly fitted saddles a riders hard hands faulty hoof care leading to improper gaits or even lack of pasture grazing such as when a