Hyoid Hints: Caring for Your Horse's Hyoid Apparatus

When it comes to caring for your horse's health, there's a small but crucial set of bones you may not have heard of: the hyoid apparatus. This delicate set of bones plays a vital role in many basic life functions for horses including swallowing, chewing, and breathing.

Here are some important things to know about the hyoid:

• The hyoid is made up of several small bones, including the stylohyoid, epihyoid, ceratohyoid, basihyoid, and thyrohyoid bones.
• It is only connected to the rest of the skeleton via ligaments and muscles, and is located under the inner part of the skull.
• The hyoid affects many areas of the horse's body, including the poll, shoulders, sternum, and hind end.
• If a horse has a broken hyoid or develops Temporohyoid Osteoarthropathy, it can lead to balance issues, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and tenderness around the poll and jaw.
• Caring for the hyoid is important for helping your horse function at their best.

Here are some tips for caring for your horse's hyoid:

• Select an appropriate bit to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the hyoid.
• Be cautious about pulling the horse's tongue, unless performed by a trained veterinarian or equine dentist.
• Watch for unexplained changes in gait or balance, along with tenderness behind or under the jaw.

 In addition to these tips, Rezzimax offers a solution for hyoid dysfunction that can energize, strengthen, and balance this system. Here's how to use it:

• Use the shown Rezzimax technique to bring tension out of your horse's jaw muscles, joints, poll, and shoulders.
• Use this technique in conjunction with other Rezzimax techniques for best results.
• You may notice improvements in your horse's gait, relaxation, and overall well-being.