Cribbing!!???

Wow this got alot of replies! :] Thanks everyone!

I talked to the owners, and she said he only does it when he is confined somewhere and is really bored. A collar stops him from doing it though.

I am really tired atm, but I will read it again tommorow incase I missed something :)

Thanks for the links TwisterRush! xD

My ottb cribs, from what I have seen cribbing and weaving are pretty common in them. Thankfully he only does it when stalled, so we just leave him out, and the weather has not been bad enough to feel the need to stall him. Not sure what we are going to do when it starts to get really cold, probably just blanket him and leave him be.

:) I am really excited! I am convinced on him... but its just my mom i need to convince.. she thinks cribbing is major bad, and never to get a horse that does it.

If not controlled, it can be a little trying.....but obviously you're going to do everything in your power to control it. Have your vet explain to her the little things that can be done to reduce the urge to crib (basically he/she should say everything we've said here) and thatit doesn't effect the true soundess of the horse in the slightest!

As far as I understand it, cribbing and other stereotypy behaviours such as weaving and stall-walking are related to stress or boredom, but I recently read a study in the Journal of Livestock Production Science suggesting that it may also have a hereditary component.

However, there is strong evidence supporting that the hypothesis that it releases endorphins and becomes a self-reinforcing behaviour. Basically, they get high when they do it. It's a bugger to get rid of once they have acquired the habit. I have seen horses turned out in a lovely field of green grass standing by the gate, cribbing away, or I've seen a horse in cross ties twisting his head around so could crib on the bloody cross tie.

do cribbers turn into windsuckers

I believe it's the same thing, just different words...

Cribbing is a nasty habit: first, they eat all boards. And many barns are really unhappy to have cribbers (up to the point they just don't take them in). My neighbor's OTTB out 24/7 cribs like 50% of time (at least). Whenever I see he chew on fence, or stall boards, or ring fence, or whatever is comfortable for him. Cribbers are harder to keep weight on and are prone to colics. I mean, I'm not against them and if my horse would do that - well, bad, but it is what it is. But if you choose between several horses it's better to go with non-cribber.

I think the way you wrote that first bit is so right.... it is the owner who feels the need to stall a horse generally. A horse, being a horse, is capable, & generally happier staying out in most weather. If the horse has a run-in or open stable or other shelter, they can put themselves 'away' on the occasions they want to.

Regarding rugging, I'm by no means 'against' it. There are horses who are unacclimatised going into winter, have no other shelter, don't grow a good coat, etc, etc, who may need them. But there are some problems with it to be aware of. If a horse is rugged long term - say for weeks or more at a time over winter, the muscles under the skin that control the lay of the hair can atrophy & then the horse has less ability to control his temperature - hot or cold - without the rug. This effect is worse the heavier the rugs. Over rugging can also prevent or reduce the ability of the horse growing a nice winter coat. Leaving horses rugged long term can cause skin irritations. If the horse is too hot & therefore sweats, this can exacerbate skin irritations & create a wonderful environement for infections such as 'rainscald'(not to mention when hot, rugged horses roll in a dam!). Not to mention if a horse is too hot & stuck in a rug, it acts like a sauna suit. They also prevent a horse from acclimatising to their environment.

Given the above, if your horse is healthy, has some shelter and the weather gradually gets colder, to allow the horse to get used to it, I'd be inclined to leave the horse unrugged. If he is shivering or seems too cold, is losing weight, there is unseasonably cold weather, I'd rug him with a lightweight rug. If for whatever reason you think he's best left rugged, I'd use a light rug, ensure it is removed at least once a day for an hour or so, for grooming & a break from pressure on the muscles. I'd also ensure I could remove the rug on any warmer days, to ensure the horse doesn't overheat & sweat. If I wasn't in a position to remove the rug on at least most days, and get it off in warmer weather, then I'd consider leaving the horse unrugged & providing better shelter, more hay etc, may be a better alternative.

....& back to the original subject
Often the terms are used interchangably, but some horses don't suck air in when they 'crib'. As far as I know, most horses in this predicament suck air, but it seems they either just do or they don't. Especially if you remove the source of stress from the horse in question, he's not likely to learn to windsuck if he was 'only' cribbing. Woodchewing may be different though, may be due to the same stress & stereotypic behaviour, but esp if it's eating tree bark & the likes, may be just a nutrient deficiency.

i once had an irish draft mare in for training and metal gates anything at all she would clampand you could hear sucking-whilst i don,t feel it affects fheir riding driving or jumping performance i personally wouldent want one around me