Cribbing is a somewhat mysterious practice that veterinarians don't fully understand. However, it is believed that cribbing produces a natural "high" in horses, releasing endorphins.
You'll know that your horse has developed a cribbing problem if you frequently see him biting down on the tops of fences and posts, then making a loud gulping noise as he sucks in air through his windpipe. This can happen both in the stall and in the pasture, and results in bite marks on every available wood surface.
Why is Cribbing a Problem?
There are two major issues with a cribbing horse. The first, of course, is that cribbing damages property. You'll begin to notice bite marks in your horse's stall and pasture fencing, and even in the lips of buckets. Over time, this can result in broken boards that might facilitate your horse's escape, and it can become a costly habit for the owner.
Second, a cribbing habit can result in health deterioration. The teeth begin to wear down from the constant pressure of biting down on wood, making it difficult for the horse to masticate his regular food and hay. It also will preoccupy the horse, distracting him from eating and grazing, resulting in weight loss and general agitation.
Furthermore, cribbing is much like a yawn: it's contagious. When one horse in a barn or pasture begins cribbing, chances are high that other horses who can see him do it will pick up the habit as well. Before you know it, you'll have an epidemic of cribbers and plenty of wood boards to replace.
Cribbing Collars
The most common method of stopping a horse from cribbing is the use of a cribbing collar. This practice is highly disputed among veterinarians, and some claim that a collar does nothing to deter the habit. Others say that the collar will reduce the positive effects of cribbing, leading the horse to seek other ways to pass the time.
A cribbing collar is essentially a strip of leather that fastens behind the ears and under the throatlatch. When used correctly, it prevents the full expansion of the windpipe and throat muscles, reducing the amount of air that can be sucked in as a result of cribbing. However, if used incorrectly, it can significantly impact the health of the horse.
A properly-used cribbing collar is tight enough to stay in place, but allows at least two fingers of space between the leather and the throatlatch. If attached too tightly, the horse will have difficulty swallowing and might go off his feed entirely.
It is also a good idea to remove as many surfaces as possible on which the horse might be able to crib. For example, exchanging wood fencing with electric or PVC fencing in the pasture is a great start.
Cribbing Surgery
When a cribbing collar just doesn't seem to work, horse owners can also pursue surgery to correct the problem. Conducted at the farm or in the clinic, the veterinarian will excise the nerves that are required for cribbing, thus halting the habit. This surgery isn't very dangerous, but you should know that some horses experience anaphylaxis if they are allergic to the anesthesia.
Surgery is, of course, an expensive solution to a problem that might plague your horse for the rest of his life. Although both surgery and cribbing collars have proven effective in many animals, no procedure or practice is 100 percent guaranteed.
Laura Thompson - Laura Thompson is a horseback riding instructor and freelance writer living in Houston, Texas. She is proud to be the feature writer for ...
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