anti crib/wind sucking devices. Humane or not?

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katwin

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we currently have a 4yr old tb as a livery. Over the winter it has been crib biting/wind sucking. A friend of mine is against horses wearing collars but i've heard that it can lead to increase threat of colic etc. Another livery owner has suggested to the owner to get a collar to try and prevent the horse from doing it. Is it humane to put one on or is it best to leave the horse as is?
 
Personally I wouldn't unless the horse has been scoped for ulcers. They are very common amongst tbs and wind sucking and crib biting are classic symptoms. If the horse has ulcers it needs to be treated asap before it becomes a habit. Often when the discofort goes so does the 'vice'
 
I wouldn't use a collar. There is plenty of scientific evidence that suggests that collars aren't effective, cause the horse more stress, doesn't deal with the route cause of the crib biting/wind sucking.
 
Hi I cured my ex racer by putting a door grill on the front of the stable door and fencing him away from the post and rail in the field. I did this 2 years ago and since then he has never looked and been happier. Good luck x
 
A collar might resolve the cribbing issue but it will never address the underlying problem, whatever that may be. I imagine the mental stress of not being able to perform a stereotypical behaviour would be immense and damaging to the welfare of the horse.

Ulcers would be my concern at this stage, they seem to be much more common than we would imagine, particularly in TBs.
 
Ladyinred said:
A collar might resolve the cribbing issue but it will never address the underlying problem, whatever that may be. I imagine the mental stress of not being able to perform a stereotypical behaviour would be immense and damaging to the welfare of the horse.

Ulcers would be my concern at this stage, they seem to be much more common than we would imagine, particularly in TBs.
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^ This
I am ashamed to admit to having put a collar (miracle) on my boy for 10 days and it made him stress more and box walk/chew wood. He also rubbed the hair off around the collar trying to get it off. He pretty much cribbed 24/7 and wouldn't eat hay only hard feed. Now he is much better (cribs before hard feed and only if something upsets him) even though he's on box rest at the minute and is a much happier person for it, a yard move was the breakthrough for us along with careful management. I also rubber top his doors as they are metal to protect his teeth (also tried various ulcer tests so have ruled them out).
If you use a collar please do not use the thin cheap one with the metal bit as these can cause serious damage to your horse, please also be aware as my 4yo grew up and he settled into a 6yo the cribbing lessened the more he felt happy and comfortable.
 
cazzaroogie said:
Hi I cured my ex racer by putting a door grill on the front of the stable door and fencing him away from the post and rail in the field. I did this 2 years ago and since then he has never looked and been happier. Good luck x
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Agree with this. Try it and see. Girl at our yard fitted one on the advice of vet who reckoned that the horse had become hooked on the habit in the same way as some people can become fixed in certain routines. Horse was repeatedly colicking and didn't interact with any of the other horses when turned out. He had been checked for ulcers and everything else th vet could think of.We all raised a cheer the first time he cantered round the field with the others and found a grooming mate. Horse no longer colics and is a much happier more relaxed beast.
 
My old boy (26) has cribbed since a foal - and only wore a collar when we had to keep him at livery for a while once. He has never ever taught anything else to do it and has been regularly treated for ulcers - but can't kick the habit! I never even notice it really!
 
I have a Tb which also cribs/windsucks whenever he gets the chance but I certainly would not consider using anything like a collar to stop him...I think it would make for a very stressy p***** off horsey!! Mine is currently stabled at night as he is recovering from a bout of colic over the winter and we need to monitor how much haylage he is getting. We would have preferred not to stable him as this is when the cribbing gets worse but we are following vets orders! All i can say is give as much turnout as possible with electric fencing blocking any rails etc and a hi fibre feed split into as small a feed as you can manage
 
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