Windsucking/ cribbing suggestions!

[Fox07]

Hi, What would you recommend for a horse that windsucks/ cribs whilst in the stable? Unfortunately over the winter we can only turn out during the day and they have to come in at night. I read here http://www.horsedata.co.uk/windsucking.htm that Rennie tablets might help??? Also have you had any experience of other horses copying this behaviour? None of the other horses do this on the yard but the horse that does this is new and got into this habit as a youngster because she was starved by a previous owner

But It has been suggested to me that other horses copy this behaviour. Any advice/ info greatly appreciated

 

[PapaFrita]

PF windsucks. She always has done to varying degrees. Turnout helps. I used to feed limestone flour (as an antacid; it's the main ingredient in Rennies, if I'm not mistaken and MUCH cheaper) but it didn't seem to make much difference. Other people have had better results.
I am not convinced horses copy this behaviour. None of my other horses ever picked it up, nor did PF's first foal.

 

[susannita]

Second what PF just said, just let the horse get on with it. Make sure she has lots of hay - not haylage, the haylage is more acidic than the hay and can make the cribbing worse.

I have 2 that do it (both picked it up racing) and nothing has ever copied it. I know its irritating but just ignore it - my horses copy behaviors from each other which gets attention - if you are continually fussing around her you will a - make her more stressed, b- encourage the others to work out why she is getting all the attention!

Remember a lot of these trials are sponsored by feed companies and it is very easy to manipulate figures/statistics to say what you want them to say, so don't take everything as 100% fact all the time!

 

[lochpearl]

Hi, my horse cribs, he used to do it in the field and in his stable, he never damaged anything and he is a good doer. Over the last year I have made changes to his environment which have helped a great deal, he is out with another horse so less bored and plenty of grass, I have not seen him crib in the field for 6 months. I try not to feed him treats in the stable as this will make him crib but he is fed feedmark's settlex in his feed, this is an antacid type thing and tbh I'm not sure what's in it but it probably is made up from limestone and similar so there is probably a cheaper way to do it. Rennies are a good idea but the amount you would have to feed will seriously break the bank and limestone and other bases will do the same trick. Also I have taken him off cereals so he has nuts instead, this is beacuse they are easier to digest and less acid build up. Since I have done the above I have not seen him crib and have only been told that he has been seen twice in 6 months and that was after the cretins gave him a sweet!!!
If your horse does this a lot then I would definitely get it checked over by a vet as it could be ulcers that are making him/her do it and they will need to be treated. If it is because it is a habit now due to stress in the past then you can help by trying some of the above that I have been successful with.

Please do not believe anyone that says it is a habit/able to be copied, it is NOT! Yes it is possible that 2 horses on a yard even next door to each other can crib but it is due to routine and not copying, a horse will not see another horse do it and copy, but 2 horses might have the same stress factor as each other and that is why they both crib. Many competition horses or dealers horses pick up the habit if they are in the stables for a long period of time and not turned out or it could be a horse that is very attached to it's mate and when it is on it's own stresses and cribs. Also I do not agree with the horse having to wear a collar - they need to be able to crib/windsuck to relieve the stomach acid build up.

I hope this helps and makes sense!!

 

[Angua2]

Agree with what has been put too. My 2 crib and 1 windsucks too. they had these habits when i got them and in all the years I have been at my yard no other horse has ever copied them.

tried settlex and then decided not to waste my money when I didn't see any difference.

I tend to let them got on with it as it doesn't affect their performance so who am I do dictate what they do in their time off

 

[Fox07]

Thank you for all your replies- thats helped a lot!

 

[Bundle20]

May I suggest that you have him tested for stomach ulcers because if that is the cause, you can do something positive to cure them.

 

[susannita]

can i just say that testing for stomach ulcers involves scoping which is not a particulaly pleasant thing for the horse at all. All it will do is prove whether they are or aren't there. Horse with ulcers don't always crib/windsuck but nor is it always the only cause either. It may be worth a course of antacid treatment as that would be the treeatment anyway and if there is no difference continue with preventative measures such as management and diet.

The thing to remember is even if it does have stomach ulcers then treatment will only be to heal those particular ulcers. Long term a high fibre, low sugar (sugar ferments increasing acid production) low starch diet is essential. This behavior continues long after the cause has gone, mine have genuine streotypical behaviors rather than a response to a current stimuli. yea sacc can also help gut function too.

As someone else has said, if it doesn't affect performance and you are managing them well let them get on with it. I don't even notice it anymore!!