My horse....

[Cash]

...has started cribbing.

He did it yesterday on the stable door, and i thought it might just be a one off, but he did it today several times in the wash down area while i was giving him a bath.

He's never ever done it before, and as i think it is boredom related (?) i don't know why it has started now, when he is out in the field a lot, as opposed to a month or two ago when he was in most of the time and probably was a little bored.
Is there ANYTHING i can do to stop him doing it?! He can't do it in the field - electric fencing- but really want to discourage him from doing it. Am considering getting him a stable toy for him to play with.. but the last one he had he was scared of

Thanks

 

[3Beasties]

I spray cribox or similar on all places that mine might chew, seems to stop him.

 

[cokelly]

Experiment with stable toys... and what about a salt lick? May give him something to do! Keep an eye on it as it may be a sign of other problems like ulcers- then again don't worry too much. My Buster cribbed most of his life and he's stopped- just windsucks now! His front teeth are a lil worn but it doesn't affect him

 

[Pixxie]

another vote for Cribox

get the paste and the spray and use both together

combined the wood keeps the taste longer
it stopped Marley in 2 days, hasnt done it since
x

 

[cokelly]

Is preventing it the best thing though? It's a vice and a stress reliever...surely his stress would be heightened and may be shown in other ways then?

Just a thought

 

[MrsMozart]

This is the 'old' horse as opposed to the 'new' horse?

It can be a sign of ulcers, so maybe worth a word with your vet. Has there been a change to his routine, feed, etc.?

If it's boredom type thing, try a stable mirror.

 

[Pixxie]

oo jsut had a thought

is this Parker youre talking about and if it is Parker are you still working him regularly cos that might be your answer

x

 

[jumptoit]

[ QUOTE ]
This is the 'old' horse as opposed to the 'new' horse?

It can be a sign of ulcers, so maybe worth a word with your vet. Has there been a change to his routine, feed, etc.?

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with MrsM I don't know what breed your horse is but my TB did this when he had ulcers so would highly recommend you speak with your vet.

 

[Cash]

[ QUOTE ]
oo jsut had a thought

is this Parker youre talking about and if it is Parker are you still working him regularly cos that might be your answer

x

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep it's Parker- he is in plenty of work at the moment- gotta love half term

 

[Cash]

[ QUOTE ]
This is the 'old' horse as opposed to the 'new' horse?

It can be a sign of ulcers, so maybe worth a word with your vet. Has there been a change to his routine, feed, etc.?

If it's boredom type thing, try a stable mirror.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, old horse. Hmm.. I think i will have a word with vet (annoying as he was on the yard today!!) as he is never really restless in the stable. Basically, he has been being in for a few hours (not usually all day) every day as the two horses he is turned out with are riding school and therefore have to be in to work for several hours. He comes in too as is not really happy on his own in the field- however, when inside, he's always seemed content and amiable- he always has hay, and lots going on on the yard, and when he's not eating or looking out he will happily doze for hours on end

Having said that, though, i'm now worried he may be bored and i haven't realised it

ETS- no change in food/routine, apart from he is getting ridden a little more than usual this week due to half term, and no change to behaviour- in fact he has been better than ever

Will try vet first, then stable mirror.