Glands and swelling under jaw line

[thatsmygirl]

My horse who is 16 yrs old has always been fit and healthy but I'm slightly worried at the moment. She had her teeth rasped a couple off weeks ago but vet said not a lot wrong just needed a little rasp to take a couple off points off. This morning she has come in from the field and has swelling under her jaw line and glands are up!!! Any ideas??
I'm thinking maybe a tooth infection? She's eatten her breakfast fine and tucking into her hay. The only other thing that has changed was last night I turned them out into a spare field which had really long ( gone over) grass to munch it down. It's all gone to seed. She had a muzzle on last night as she's fit ready for hunting so watching her weight but had to turn her out with all my others. Could it be a reaction to the grass seed? Any ideas would be great. Thanks

 

[xob111]

Our horses occasionally get this - its from the salivary glands - They are chewing much more and saliva production increases - the glands can then swell up. But you could check it again with dentist if she is showing signs of pain with it.

 

[thatsmygirl]

Thank you for your reply, she had a greenguard muzzle on over night so do you think it was from her trying to eat through the muzzle which was so much extra work? First time she has worn it but her weight is perfect and don't want her bloating before hunting. She's never had these glands up before and look awful.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

As xob111 says, this is common in the spring or any time a piggy horse is suddenly put onto lush grazing. They eat and eat and eat and eat. So the poor old salivary glands have to work overtime and they can swell up. It's known as Grass Glands. Strange though if your horse had a muzzle on. Are you sure your mare still had it on in the morning (eg if someone else brought her in and didn't tell you muzzle was off)? Or hadn't pushed it to one side so she could eat round it? I wouldn't worry too much if she's well, no fever, eating and pooing normally but I'd watch very carefully for any change or deterioration because it could be the start of a hundred things, anything from an infected tooth to strangles.