Treat, then Cribb/suck... why?

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Vetwrap

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My little tb started cribbing on the stable door when he was on box rest last year. It was also pointed out to me that he would crib after being treated, so I stopped that happening. I also painted cribox on the door, so that stopped the stable behaviour.

When I turned him out this morning, I gave him a treat that had been languishing at the bottom of my pocket. He walked over to the nearest fence post for a quick crib immediately afterwards (till I told him off and he mooched off sulking).

Can anyone explain what it is about being treated that triggers this immediate response? I'm really very curious to know.

Thanks in advance and apologies if this is a really stupid question!
:)
 
Couldn't find any direct evidence, but at a guess because the horse has linked the presence of a treat with the relaxing experience of cribbing. Couple of interesting journal abstract about cribbing below:

During the past decade, stereotypic behavior in horses, specifically crib-biting behavior, has received considerable attention in the scientific literature. Epidemiological and experimental studies designed to investigate crib-biting behavior have provided valuable insight into the prevalence, underlying mechanisms, and owner perceptions of the behavior. The findings of these studies have demonstrated how the management of horses can influence their behavior and well being. Management conditions which impede foraging opportunities and social contact, provision of high concentrate diets, and abrupt weaning have been associated with an increased risk of crib-biting. The exact etiology of crib-biting remains to be elucidated, however, results of recent research suggest that dopaminergic pathways may be implicated in the performance of this oral stereotypy. There has also been additional evidence to support the hypothesis that gastrointestinal irritation is involved in crib-biting in horses. Many equine behavior and welfare scientists remain in agreement that management of crib-biting horses should focus on addressing the suspected influential factors prior to attempts at physical prevention of the behavior. The findings of several survey and experimental studies are reviewed, with emphasis on research conducted since the late 1990s, in an effort to provide the reader with a relatively comprehensive look into that which is known about crib-biting behavior in horses. Knowledge deficiencies and areas for future research are identified.
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The aim of the present study was to obtain information on the possible mechanisms underlying cribbing behaviour in horses. To investigate the horse's responsiveness to an external stimulus, a device for telemetric measurement of thermal threshold, using the forelimb withdrawal reflex, was developed and validated. Measurements of thermal threshold took place in cribbing horses (n = 11) before and during cribbing periods. Heart rate was monitored continuously in the same horses. Blood samples were collected before and during cribbing periods as well and in age- and sex-matched control horses (n = 11). β-endorphin and Cortisol were determined in plasma using radioimmunoassay techniques, serotonin was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography.

Compared with basal values, thermal threshold was significantly (P = 0.003) lower during cribbing periods. The mean difference was 4.9°C. Heart rate decreased significantly (P = 0.026) and showed a mean reduction of 2.4 beats/min during cribbing. Given the fact that arousal usually is associated with an increase in nociceptive threshold and in heart rate, the decrease in both during cribbing provide evidence that cribbing may reduce stress.

Cribbers showed 3 times higher basal β-endorphin levels than controls (mean 49.5 vs. 16.2 pmol/l, P = 0.006) and there was a trend for lower basal serotonin levels (mean 201.5 vs. 414.3 nmol/l, P = 0.07). These data indicate differences in cribber's endogenous opioid and serotonergic systems.
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There was at least one study that proved almost any horse could be made to start cribbing with a large enough glucose dose. Although the amounts were very large and given in liquid form, the purpose was to investigate the
 
Sorry, on the phone. :)

. . .the apocryphal link between feeding 'sweet feed' - a traditional mix of grains and molasses - especially to young horses and the development of cribbing in certain individuals. I have never seen it referenced here but it was much discussed in North America.

One treat shouldn't do it but I do know a number of cribbers who feel the urge after getting a mint or similar so I might guess there is something in it.
 
My mare cribs, I find she cribs more and straight away if she has a treat that is high in sugar or cereals!

I stick to a no sugar or cereal, and high in fiber in treats and her hard food. She has a very sensitive stomach, and sugar/cereals don't agree with her, which makes her crib, which makes her stomach produce more acid etc! Which leads to her cribbing more.... its a vicious circle.

Although shes on a high fiber diet now she still cribs but its a lot less!
 
It might be a taste thing too, Frank has never cribbed in his life but I imagine the response is similar to when he stands there after having a polo sucking his tongue and making odd noises :rolleyes: pony nuts as a treat invoke a different response interestingly.. that is a nose in air curl top lip move..
 
Mine does it too, but she is a fairly confirmed cribber - has done it since about 18 months old. She cribs all the time when eating hay, will eat most of her hard feed but then stop towards the end for a crib break, and does as you describe after a treat. When out at grass she does eat fairly happily for a while without cribbing but then wanders over to the nearest post after a while.

It doesn't bother me, but then I've long since given up trying to figure why she does all the things she does :rolleyes:. Hopefully if you can nip it in the bud you might break the cycle, but I don't even try any more. Oh and she is on a fibre only diet - grass, hay, top chop, speedibeet, the only other thing is Top Spec balancer. No carrots or anything, the only treats I feed are the Spillers herbal one, so I don't think there is a glucose issue there.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I will re-read this all again later, when I have time to absorb it all. I'm glad that it wasn't such a daft question after all.

My tb is on high fibre, low sugar diet, with a small amount of Saracen Biolife 2000 balancer and the treats given were are the Pure Feeds ones, or the Spillers glucosamine/biotin ones. I'm still intrigued about the trigger for the behaviour and it would be interesting to investigate this further and find out if it is a common trait for cribbers/windsuckers.

Thanks for feedback though! It's not just my boy after all!

:)
 
My boy is the same, he cribs/wind suck after a treat and also after his short feed. He has been on a high fibre no cereal or sugar diet for about 18 months now he still does it. I think it is like a bad habit, say if you smoked 20 a day then gave up, you would still crave the odd one, so hard to give up. Funnily enough he does not try to do it when given treat when turned out in field. Or out at shows/lesson away from home etc.
 
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