Would you buy a horse that cribs?

Ashy

Ashy

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Ive been looking for a nice dressage horse/ allrounder for a while now and am struggling to find what Im looking for however yesterday I went to see what seems like the perfect horse. Its a lovely ISH working to medium level and has jumped to foxhunter and novice BE. Totally capable of the job I would want him for and good in all respects but he cribs and windsucks. He is stabled 24/7 and fed oats and barley so obviously that is contributing to it and a change of management might help. I know cribbing and windsucking can lead to colic and ulcers so it is concerning me. Half of me says walk away and the other half says he is perfect in every other way so I could live with it and it would be my compromise (there is always something isnt there?)... Any thoughts from any of you that have had horses with this vice?
 
At the moment I have 2 windsuckers and 1 has ulcers. Apart from the obvious medical issues you also have all the other worries such as livery yards not wanting windsuckers and wearing through fences etc. A windsucker will always windsuck, even with correct management. So I guess that no I can't recommend buying one. it is adding uneccessary stress and worry.
 
I bought one - he was a retired Adv eventer, Grade B and had been trained to Adv Med - the most lovely schoolmaster type

he cribbed because in his previous competition life, he had been kept in 23/7 and fed high concentrate/low fibre diet. He was very claustrophobic when I had him and I kept him out as much as I could.

He had ulcers which I treated and was amazing - fabulous little horse. The best bit was that he cost me peanuts to buy because of the cribbing
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No but only because I'm on livery rather than my own yard and alot of yards won't allow it. If I had my own land and really liked the horse I'd probably discuss management strategies with the vet to see how practical it was going to be.
 
As he seems to have a wealth of competition experience it wouldn't bother me personally - I have a weaver with a similar comp record so it appears vices are common in competition horses. As long as you are prepared to manage it properly and take appropriate precautions I believe it would be a good opportunity as long as you feel he is the right horse.
 
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I have a weaver with a similar comp record so it appears vices are common in competition horses. As long as you are prepared to manage it properly and take appropriate precautions I believe it would be a good opportunity as long as you feel he is the right horse.

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Thing is to my knowledge windsucking can cause a lot more problems than weaving what with stomach ulcers, air in the stomach etc and a lack of teeth if they are cronic (needing fast fibre to eat ect) so can be very expensive with the vets bills :S! I know weaving has its problems too, but i personally would strongly advise against buying a windsucker unless it is really cheap and you are sure it is the right horse for you - as selling it on if not would be a huge challenge, as most people wont buy windsuckers, and those that would are not always wanting another when you are selling
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A close friend of mine bought a beautiful horse who sadly cribs and windsucks. He was reduced to £5000 because of this (worth nearly double). He wears a collar in the stable but still managed to crib on his door bolt. all the field fences have to be covered in cribox(sp?) and parts of his stable too.
Luckily our YO is ok with it, but i can imagine a lot aren't.
He decided to buy him because he was the perfect horse in every other respect, and his good points outweighed his bad points.
 
Thanks everyone. I think now I've read all your posts and had a bit of time to think about it, Im probably going to err on the side of caution and keep looking. Ive had my fair share of problems and worry in the past, so I think I will hold out for something a little less risky. Thanks for sharing all your experience! The search continues.... PS if anyone knows of any nice allrounder horses in Scotland with potential for BD that are safe, sound and vice free please let me know!! x
 
ive got a windsucker section c welsh ive hade him for about 11 years did it when he arrived didnt bother me still dont fit as a butchers dog only havd the vet for routine jabs and rasping. tryed a collar made his stress more if he aint got a post to suck on he uses my shetland ponys bum the shetty dont mind so it cant be hurting him.ive even hade him try it on me .hes never lost weight or hade collic because of this.its your personal choice if the horse is what you want and suits your needs dont be put off by the look down there nose types of people find a nice understanding small yard and electric tape helps .good look
 
I would not use the collars as we tried both the normal and miracle on a horse and they didn't work in fact if we put it on he got colic.

A friend has just brought a horse that started doing it when she got it home and she has put one of these cribbing baskets on and it has stopped him completely.

http://www.grazingmuzzles.co.uk/cribbing.htm
 
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I would not use the collars as we tried both the normal and miracle on a horse and they didn't work in fact if we put it on he got colic.

A friend has just brought a horse that started doing it when she got it home and she has put one of these cribbing baskets on and it has stopped him completely.

http://www.grazingmuzzles.co.uk/cribbing.htm

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not surprised it stopped him completly, he can't physically do it!

Both my horses past and present crib. Iam also on a livery yard. I have found my mare prefers to crib on a wooden bar across her door, thus protecting the stable and still allowing her, her own personal habit. I can change this bar easier than anything else. I do not stop her as this can only lead to other issues, at the end of the day what she does in her spare time is her own business.
 
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