25/07/2026
Have you ever looked at your horse’s temples? 👀🐴
One thing that comes up every now and again is an overdeveloped temporalis muscle—the thin, fan shaped muscle responsible for lifting the lower jaw, alongside the masseter muscle.
While every horse is different, a particularly prominent or uneven temporalis can sometimes indicate that the jaw is working harder than it should. This may be linked to muscle tension, altered chewing patterns, dental issues, compensation elsewhere in the body, or discomfort that deserves a closer look.
The jaw doesn’t work in isolation. It’s connected to the poll, neck, and the rest of the body, so tension here can sometimes have a wider impact on movement and comfort.
Look at the picture… what would your next step be? Would you be calling for other professionals to have a look?
