How much of a problem is cribbing or windsucking?

[ticki]

My friend is thinking of buying a 4 year old mare who crib bites in the field. She takes in air and swallows. None of the other horses she has been with does it and neither did her sire or dam. We are told she started it probably when she was changing her teeth. In the H & H this week there was an article saying that horses who crib make better competition horses, is this true? Would it put you off buying her and would it mean that other horses might copy if she was kept with them or any foal she had?

What are the pros and cons?

 

[CBAnglo]

If she is doing it in the field, with lots of grass to keep her occupied then I would be worried about stabling her as most cribbers/windsuckers tend to be much better in a field with lots of forage. Some yards dont like cribbing/windsucking because they tend to chew on wood/fences and also other people complain about the risk of copying (I dont believe they do - I think it is all to do with environment).

The idea that they make better competition horses is bonkers - its more likely to do with the fact that lots of competition horses crib/windsuck as they are stabled 24/7, can be tightly wound sensitive types that need a stress relief and possibly fed high grain diet which could lead to stomach ulcers and then onto cribbing/windsucking.

If your friend is prepared to manage it, then fine. There are added costs of more frequent dental checks (every 6 months or so) and possibly might be difficult to keep weight on the horse if it cribs/windsucks rather than eats. Would also be concerned about ulcers and possibly scoping, and any history of colic. Also, they tend to have quite a bit of poll tension and if left to grab onto things etc can form quite unattractive muscling around the jaw.

I would say the price really had to reflect the vice. Especially for a 4 yr old who presumably doesnt have a competition record to really speak about her ability.

 

[Angua2]

My mare cribs in the field and in the stable, it doesn't affect her way of going and in my 6 years on a livery yard owning cribbers not one other horse has ever copied. As for better competition horses, I cannot comment as each of my horses were talented in different ways and as for competitions it was just the owner that let them down

 

[competitiondiva]

My first horse did it, she wore a miracle collar which stopped most of the air intake and therefore prevented colic etc. The main problems are colic if they do it alot and no collar is used, livery problems as alot of yard owners still do not want horses with vices on the yard, and re-sale value/ability. With a buyers market there are a hell of a lot of horses out there for below their value who do not have vices.

 

[woo24]

My last horse cribbed, (he was unfortuately put down in march soundness issues). I knew he did it when i bought him and it didnt put me off as he was ok in every other way or so I thought at the time

he needed to hold on to something to do it and had a rope in his stable for this purpose, he never did it on the door as it was too thick and when in the field used the fence - although in last few months noticed him using the other horses rugs in the field to do it - which i didnt like!

i never used the collars as thought it would stress him out more not allowing him to do it - and didnt want him to colic (which never did in 2.5 yrs had him)

I wouldnt buy another cribber as think they are generally stresser horses and why buy one that does it when u can get plenty that dont!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mine found it hard to keep weight on and little things stressed him out!

ps - he was a novice eventer when i got him, so talented enough!

I would avoid if possible!

 

[Niraf]

Never bothered me. I have had 3. If they can wear a collar 24/7 (I find the miracle collar is the best) they don't stress out if they can't do it. I find them more stressy if they are allowed to crib in fact. The only problem is that the collar eventually causes chafing but this too can be controlled by oiling the collar heavily to keep it soft. I have found them to be more intelligent horses than the average, in my experience. The only issue is making sure that they wear the collar all the time when not ridden as if they can break it or get it off somehow, they crib like mad and that is when the colic risk comes in.