Crib-Biting, Windsucking and Weaving in Horses

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I_Love_Horses!

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Hello,

I recently bought a beautiful mare from a local horse dealer in Scotland. She arrived safe and sound at the livery yard where I stable her, and she was placed in isolation whilst her bloods were taken for strangles. Whilst she was in isolation, it was noted by the Vet and Livery Yard Manager that she crib-bites the stable door, windsucks, and weaves.

Her bloods came back clear for strangles a few days later and she was turned out in to the field with another mare, where she was observed as crib-biting the fence posts. She was taken in later that evening and placed in a new stable in the yard with the other horses, and it was still noted that she was crib-biting and weaving.

I know there is no cure for these vices, but can anyone please provide me with any advice as to how to manage these vices or if possible to prevent them??

I have a friend who is a dog behaviourist, and who advised me that an equine behaviourist may be able to assist.

Any advice regarding this would be greatly appreciated, as I don't want to part with her and would like to help the poor animal if I can, but I really am at my wits end to help this animal.

Thanks.
LW xxx
 
There is no real answer for this and you do have a long route to go as there can be a lot which can cause this behaviour. I don't rate the idea of an equine behavourist at this stage as you have a lot to rule out before you look at that.

Cribbing/windsucking - can be stress related, this could be increased by the move, so you might well see a decrease once the mare has settled. Access to ad lib forage is a real must as well as all agree that helps. It is interesting she cribs in a field which suggests this behaviour is pretty ingrained (unless you now say there is no real grazing in the field) - most cribbers reduce their behaviour when they are turned out. You then need to look at her food, cribbers are sometimes intolerant of high sugar feeds so I would check with a nutrition expert line to see what they suggest. It could be indigestion and the mare is cribbing to make herself more comfortable so you can try supplements to make her more comfortable.

I personally would start with the feeding and monitor the mare closely, then move onto supplements. Don't do it all at once as then you won't know what works. Once you have gone down those avenues, then I would consider a behavourist but try to rule out the physcial symptoms first.

In extreme cases, a horse that constantly cribs can give itself colic. I have seen that myself first hand a number of times and with horses that are so bad, the only thing that stopped them was a miracle collar (but all the parts must be padded with sheepskin - never seen a horse comfortable in one that wasn't)

However (and I did have to end up using a miracle collar), it really isn't my preferred option. For me, we had reached the end of a line trying to work out what was causing it and he was definately heading down the colic route. My compromise was that he did do well out, so spent as much time out as was possible as he didn't crib when out. Eventually had him living out as I was always aware that while the collar stopped him cribbing, it didn't address what was causing it.

Weaving - again a sign of stress and can really cause problems with the front legs if constant. A weaving grid may well help unless she decides to stand behind the grid and weave (which I have seen ingrained weavers do). I would also make sure there is adequate bedding/matting where the mare stands to try to mitigate the possible damage done to the front legs as well.

I would also work with your YO closely as well to discuss what you are doing. There is also a train of thought that other horses can copy cribbing etc but I am in 2 minds on that. I think there are some horses who are more inclined to behave like this so that might influence them to copy but there are others who just would not bothered. Either way, it will help your case if your YO is actively involved!. I would not want a cribber next to my overly bright youngster but wouldn't worry about it being next to my old mare as she is too sensible.!

What did the yard say that you bought the horse from? there are nasty vices so would be interesting to see what the receipt says as well..

And finally, you do need to talk to you insurance (talk to your vet first though!) as this is a vice which will need declaration BUT if you are not careful on the wording, could find all kinds of exclusions coming up. Not suggesting you try to committ fraud with the insurance but just suggesting that the correct wording from your vet is a better idea.
 
pretty much everything that was said above, but I have a stressy horse and although he really isnt very bad,when I got him he box-walked a litte bit and was in the early stages of weaving (went from one side to the other, then did a lap of the box)
a few things that have really made a difference are horselyx. he has one all the time in his box and usually they go through the first one quickly but then only turn to it when bored/hungry and I saw a tenfold improvement in his stress levels after putting that in his box.
second probiotics, again, massive difference in his stress levels, they say cribbing can be caused by ulcers (what cant..?! :rolleyes: ) but protexin probiotic was fantastic
and finally treat ball. only really use that in certain situation like when he thinks he's being fed and hes not or he's been fed and then someone else feed so he thinks its feed time all over again :rolleyes:
mine barely ever does either now. :)
you probably wont cure her but I find if you find 'distractions' you will probably cut the occurance of it down.
 
Everything above the more you can do to help reduce the vices the better.A stable mirror is something else to consider.
Just out of interest were her vices declared at the time of purchase or at the vetting stage. They should have been as to do all three would have very much reduced her value and there are many people that would not have considered buying a horse that has one vice let alone all three.
She has probably had a tough time somewhere and it is great that you are going to be able to do all you can for her.
 
I agree that you have been given great advice.

The only thing I can add is that my horse hated being stabled (still does) and he showed all sorts of stress behaviour. I tried the licks, mirrors, adlib hay, radio on, 10 drops Bach Rescue Remedy in his water and the one small thing he did respond to was when I dipped rags in aromatherapy oils and tied them on his stable bars for him to self medicate. I often caught him returning to these and standing inhaling them. I used lavender essential oil and geranium on different rags - I started trying others and some he interestingly ripped down!:)
Time may well help too. My lad has finally settled after a year with us.
Good Luck!
 
YasandCrystal said:
I dipped rags in aromatherapy oils and tied them on his stable bars for him to self medicate. I often caught him returning to these and standing inhaling them.
Click to expand...

Never heard of using aromatherapy on a horse! Loving the image of your horse inhaling LOL good to know it helped, something to consider for horses on our yard!
 
I'd have never thought of that either! My boy will crib for England :( He hates stable mirrors, gets bored of toys/ licks, he isn't bothered by being in or out or company....

I am off to try the aromatherapy route (thanks for the top tip) :D Failing that his stable will smell nicer! He does sniff everything like a dog so I'm vaguely hopeful :)
 
YasandCrystal said:
the one small thing he did respond to was when I dipped rags in aromatherapy oils and tied them on his stable bars for him to self medicate. I often caught him returning to these and standing inhaling them.
Click to expand...

:eek: wow! think Il be trying this aswell, my boys sniffs everything and everyone aswell! :p
 
Test her for ulcers. If you buy some ranitidine from Tesco, own-brand, and feed her all 12 tablets in a day, for a couple of days. You may notice a reduction in her vice behaviour. If you do, have her scoped for ulcers and treat them if she has them. Ulcers can cause the cribbing and the weaving and moving home will have made ulcers worse through the stress.
 
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