| What is Horse Cribbing and How can I get my Horse | | | | Electro-Shock Collars - These collars are worn around |
| to STOP? | | | | the upper neck just like a crib strap; the strap emits an |
| WHAT IS CRIBBING? | | | | electric shock to shock the horse each time he takes |
| Do you know that CRIBBING is not only rough on | | | | hold of a fence to crib. |
| barns and fences, but it also may be detrimental to a | | | | Electric Fencing - Stringing electric fencing along the |
| horse's health? The horse wears down his teeth and | | | | top of any paddock and/or pasture fences is an |
| swallows air, which can lead to inappropriate digestion | | | | effective way to stop them from cribbing on fences. |
| and colic. Cribbing can lead to serious health problems, | | | | Electric fencing is highly encouraged since it will |
| such as poor digestion, colic, and various dental | | | | effectively stop cribbing in its tracks on the protected |
| problems. | | | | locations. |
| Cribbing is an obsessive-compulsive behavior when a | | | | Chew Stop And Related Products - Some Non-Toxic |
| horse chews on wood and swallows air. The cribber | | | | Products are now available in the market. These can |
| uses its upper teeth to grab a stationary object, such | | | | be sprayed or painted on popular cribbing areas to |
| as a fence board, and then arches its neck, pulls | | | | lend a very unappetizing taste and smell, thereby |
| backwards while swallowing air and grunting. Other | | | | discouraging a cribber from taking hold of the area. |
| horses crib by resting their incisors on an object | | | | These products are typically recognized as the most |
| without grasping it; still others rest their chin on an | | | | humane and cost effective methods to stop your |
| object and swallow air. | | | | horse from cribbing. |
| WHY DO HORSES CRIB? | | | | Surgical Procedure - This procedure entails cutting |
| It's not known what causes cribbing in horses. | | | | some of the muscles and nerves in the ventral neck |
| There appears to be an inherited susceptibility to | | | | region as well as the removal of some muscle tissue. |
| STRESS in horses, so genetics are part of the | | | | Anti-depressant - It is an injected to the animal, which |
| answer. When a horse cribs, it is believed that his body | | | | prohibits the creation of endorphins, thereby |
| releases endorphins, which stimulate the pleasure | | | | suppressing the natural high a horse gains when he |
| center of his brain as why it is such an addictive habit, | | | | cribs. This is not a practical solution since the effects |
| and such a hard one to break. This may explain why | | | | are short-lived, but further research is being done on |
| horses crib when under stress, as well. A horse's | | | | similar drugs that may have a longer lasting effect. |
| INABILITY TO GRAZE can be a significant stress that | | | | MORE TIPS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
| is commonly thought to lead to repetitive cribbing | | | | Once a horse starts cribbing it is difficult to get them to |
| behavior. | | | | stop. The best thing is to try to distract and prevent it |
| IMPROPER DIET AND FEEDING PRACTICES are | | | | from occurring in the first place. One of the most |
| commonly cited as factors that may lead to cribbing. | | | | common aids in breaking your horse from the cribbing |
| Improper diet and feeding is also thought to contribute | | | | habit are: |
| to cribbing, perhaps because it may cause a horse | | | | -Allow your horse as much pasture time, in as big a |
| more stress. | | | | pasture as possible |
| Another popular theory is that cribbing is due to | | | | -Spend time training and handling the horse to help |
| BOREDOM, AND LACK OF EXERCISE. Horses kept | | | | prevent boredom. |
| stalled are more likely to become Cribbers than horses | | | | -Provide your horse with a companion, preferably |
| that are allowed to roam in a pasture. Semi-wild | | | | another horse, but goats also often make good |
| horses or horses in the wild or in the pasture naturally | | | | companions for horses. |
| spend 90% of their time grazing and are less likely to | | | | -Distract your horse with multiple feedings; pasture time |
| crib. | | | | and toys before the habit becomes ingrained. |
| Every horse handles stress differently, some better | | | | -Allow your horse access to fresh grass, or grass hay |
| than others. It appears that susceptibility to stress in | | | | at all times. |
| horses is INHERITED, so genetics may play a part | | | | To date we know of no proof or studies that indicate |
| also. | | | | a horse learns to crib from being around a cribber, and |
| WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR A CRIBBER? | | | | it is likely that several factors come in to play to cause |
| Food - Horses need to eat throughout the day and | | | | this disorder. |
| keep their minds active lest they become bored and | | | | Finally, if your horse suddenly picks up cribbing and |
| stressed, since boredom is the most common reason | | | | doesn't seem to have developed it from one of the |
| why a horse will pick up the cribbing habit. | | | | normal causes, it would be a good idea to ask your |
| Cribbing Straps - Crib straps aren't perfect but they do | | | | veterinarian to check your horse and make sure there |
| succeed in suppressing many cribbers, so it's an | | | | isn't a medical cause for the cribbing. |
| inexpensive option that's worth a try. | | | | |