Cribbing

Seek veterinary or behaviourist advice if you suspect this disorder.

Cribbing is a common behavioural disorder observed in horses, characterised by the repetitive action of grasping a fixed object with the incisor teeth and pulling back while arching the neck. This behaviour results in the production of a distinct grunting or sucking sound.

While the exact cause of cribbing is not fully understood, it is often associated with stress, boredom, or gastrointestinal discomfort.

Prolonged cribbing can lead to dental wear, musculoskeletal issues, and damage to stable fixtures.

Symptoms

Treatment

Cribbing in horses can be challenging to treat, but management strategies often focus on environmental enrichment, dietary adjustments, and behavioural modification techniques. Providing ample turnout time, social interaction, and mental stimulation can help alleviate boredom and reduce cribbing behaviour. Dietary modifications, such as increasing forage intake and providing slow-feed hay nets, may also be beneficial in preventing boredom-related cribbing.

Behavioural modification techniques, including positive reinforcement training and the use of anti-cribbing collars or devices, can help discourage the behaviour. In some cases, consultation with a veterinarian or equine behaviourist may be necessary to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to the individual horse’s needs.

Prevention

Preventing cribbing in horses involves proactive management practices such as providing ample turnout time and social interaction to prevent boredom.

A balanced diet with high-quality forage and appropriate concentrates supports digestive health and minimises gastrointestinal discomfort, a potential trigger for cribbing behaviour.

Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential to alleviate stress and reduce the likelihood of developing stereotypic behaviours.

Maintaining a clean and safe stable environment with proper fencing and fixtures helps minimise opportunities for cribbing.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Cribbing is a stereotypic behavior observed in horses, characterized by repetitive biting or grasping of objects, often leading to the displacement of air into the upper esophagus, typically associated with stress, boredom, or gastrointestinal discomfort

Psychological & Behavioural

Cribbing in Horses

Cribbing Seek veterinary or behaviourist advice if you suspect this disorder. Cribbing is a common behavioural disorder observed in horses,