Cribbing (horse)

A horse cribbing on a wooden fence, note anti-cribbing collar intended to reduce this behavior and tension in neck muscles

Cribbing is a form of stereotypy (equine oral stereotypic behaviour), otherwise known as wind sucking or crib-biting. Cribbing is considered to be an abnormal, compulsive behavior seen in some horses, and is often labelled a stable vice. The major factors that cause cribbing include stress, stable management, genetic and gastrointestinal irritability.[1]

Cribbing was mentioned in the literature as early as 1578 and occurs in 2.4–8.3% of horses depending on breed and management.[2][3]

A similar but unrelated behavior, wood-chewing or lignophagia, is another undesirable habit observed in horses, but it does not involve sucking in air; the horse simply gnaws on wood rails or boards as if they were food.

  1. ^ Hemmann, Karin; Raekallio, Marja; Kanerva, Kira; Hänninen, Laura; Pastell, Matti; Palviainen, Mari; Vainio, Outi (2012). "Circadian variation in ghrelin and certain stress hormones in crib-biting horses". The Veterinary Journal. 193 (1): 97–102. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.09.027. hdl:10138/35768. ISSN 1090-0233. PMID 22040804. S2CID 12023171.
  2. ^ Lebelt, D., Zanella, A.J. and Unshelm, J. (1998). "Physiological correlates associated with cribbing behaviour in horses: changes in thermal threshold, heart rate, plasma β-endorphin and serotonin". Equine Veterinary Journal. 30 (27): 21–27. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.1998.tb05140.x. PMID 10484999.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Malamed, R.; Berger, J.; Bain, M. J.; Kass, P.; Spier, S. J. (2010). "Retrospective evaluation of crib-biting and windsucking behaviours and owner-perceived behavioural traits as risk factors for colic in horses". Equine Veterinary Journal. 42 (8): 686–92. doi:10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00096.x. PMID 21039797.