The Horse Cribbing Habit

Why Do Horses Crib?

While there is no definitive answer, it is thought that horses crib due to an inherited susceptibility to stress, improper diet and/or feeding practices or boredom.

Limiting a horse's ability to graze can cause stress but not all horses crib under these and other stressful conditions. A genetic tendency towards stress may explain the difference.

Many cribbers are fed concentrated, high-energy rations which they consume quickly, leaving them with lots of energy, but little to do. Horses raised on pasture, grazing continually on high-fiber, low-energy feed, are less likely to develop these habits.

In the wild, horses keep themselves occupied by wandering and grazing. The domesticated horse, stabled and scheduled, may satisfy his grazing instincts and alleviate boredom by substitute behaviors such as horse cribbing. Behaviors become repetitive and may continue after the the stress or boredom is relieved.

How To Treat Horse Cribbing

Make It Less Pleasurable: Paint fences, gates and partitions with an anti-crib liquid to make them less appetizing. Or, mix up your own concoction of cayenne pepper and petroleum jelly. Check with your vet about potential side effects of these products before applying any home remedies.

Make It Less Tempting: Remove any crib-friendly items from the stall. Don't leave racks or wooden feeders in the stall. Keep the top of the gate closed and cover their favorite gnawing edges of the stall with metal trim.

Raising The Bar: Raise your horse's water bucket and feed tub up to the level of his chest and eliminate all edges up to that height. This way, his chin will be above his chest and he will not be able to arch his neck.

Diet Changes: An imbalance in stomach acid may cause cribbing. Avoid food that is overly sweet or acidic and allow your horse plenty of access to fresh hay, grass and water.

Food Schedule: Horses are creatures of habit and need to be fed at a consistent time each day, with a consistent quality of feed. Too much variation in time or quality of feed can lead to stress.

Banish Boredom: If you think boredom is causing your horse to crib, turn him out more frequently or for longer periods of time. Be sure he gets enough exercise. Stall toys may help to occupy his time when he must stay in. Often, companionship helps, whether it is another horse or even a goat.

Cribbing Straps: Cribbing straps are leather straps that go around a horse's upper neck to place pressure against the larynx area when a horse attempts to arch his neck and intake air. These straps are generally not uncomfortable when the horse isn't expanding his neck to crib.

Cribbing Muzzle: Cribbing muzzles attach to a breakaway halter. They prevent cribbing, biting and chewing but allow the horse to graze and drink freely.

Electric Fencing: Stringing electric fencing along the top of any paddock and/or pasture fences is an effective way to stop them from cribbing on fences. It will effectively stop cribbing in its tracks on the protected locations.

Surgical Procedure: If all of the above fail, surgery may be your last resort. The success of surgery is variable with generally a 50 percent improvement rate. Your veterinarian can give you more information regarding this option.

Anti-depressant: Naloxone is an injected anti-depressant that prohibits the creation of endorphins, thereby suppressing the natural high a horse gains when he cribs. This is not a practical solution since the effects are short-lived, but further research is being done on similar drugs that may have a longer lasting effect.

Finally, if your horse suddenly picks up cribbing and doesn't seem to have developed it from one of the normal causes, it would be a good idea to ask your veterinarian to check your horse and make sure there isn't a medical cause for the cribbing.

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