[BNA526]

I just was rubbing down my gelding and have always known he likes the under side of his muzzle scratched.
Well, as I made my way back to his throatlatch area I found some bumps. They are in that indent section in the underside of the throatlatch/inbetween the cheek bones.

Now, he goes outside all day normally in the pasture, so it could be ticks, but they felt awfully big, like when I pressed my fingertip on them it was about that big around. Not huge, but not a small bump either. They didn't seem to bother him, but the lighting isn't great so it was hard for me to see when I squatted down.

Any ideas?

Also, I noticed last time I rode him that every once in a while, not often, but once in a while during a ride when I'm asking him to step underneath himself and stretch down to meet the bit, he curls his neck and his breathing sounds a little funny, he almost makes snorting noises.
Is it just him being a goof, or could that mean other things? Like I said, it happens very infrequently. Only occasionally does it happen, but it does worry me. I hear it at the trot/canter. The Trot the most though.

Thanks!
I'm being a worried parent.

[Team D]

There are lymph nodes under there, so it's normal to feel some bumpiness in that area. A horse who's fighting infection might have larger than normal nodes.