Would you buy a horse that cribs?

No, we had one at my old yard where I worked, it's just mega-annoying, and I think if it was my own horse I'd find it even more annoying!
 
I had an ex racehorse that cribbed and windsucked all the time, to the point where she wouldn't eat when out in the field. The only thing that stopped her in the stable was a collar, which then rubbed her neck. Some people on the yard wouldn't have her in sight of their horses because they believed it's a learned behaviour ( which latest research suggests it isn't but beliefs take a long time to change). I wouldn't knowingly buy another.
 
Yes - we did. He was a lovely chap and had competed to a high level bs and was a fab hunter. If he didn't crib he would have been out of our price range!

The habit was annoying and he did destroy a few posts in the field, but for what we got back in his ridden work, balanced things out.

We had his teeth checked prior to purchase and never had problems with colic or keeping condition on. He would mainly do it when anticipating food or after food, and could never give him treats as that would set him off too.

As others have mentioned, it will have bearing on re sale though.
 
I love this rule.

Now I bought mine who cribs in and out. I had a collar on to start with but took it off as it seemed to stress him out, he has not colicked in 2 and a half years, I did however see him getting stressed last year so had him scoped and he had ulcers, had him treated and still cribs so I think its habit, he's pretty much out 24/7 now and I let him get on with it.

He works very well and is the most honest horse.

If the one you are looking at only does it a bit then I dont think you have an issue and yes with more turn out you may see an improvement. Just be aware it may get worse when you move due to the stress.

Good luck, there are horses will all sorts of problems, I am yet to see a problem free horse so if cribbing is the only problem then so be it. :)

Red-1 said:
I have a rule that what the horse does in his stable on his own time (or in his field) is his own business as long as he turns up to work.

Doesn't mean that there is not more "trouble" with some. Mine is a jumper and so needs 6'6 fences. Then he can be a hooligan and contained. The fences were a trouble to put up! I had a horse that cribbed, and I did use a collar as she did not do it at all with a collar. That was 25 years ago though, and these days the "trouble" for me (as in time and trouble) would include checking for ulcers and turning out as much as possible, high fibre feed, ad lib hay etc etc.

I do know of some horses who have quit cribbing altogether with different management.

I would still consider a collar when stabled as it stopped mine getting colic.

To me it is all worth it if the horse turns up to work.

Most horses need individual management to some degree to be the happiest we can make them.
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I did because it meant that I could afford a horse that otherwise would have been totally out of my price range and it paid off for me but tbh if I could afford the same horse without windsucking then I would buy one that didn't. They do it for a reason and that reason might never cause you a problem but you never know when it could. The habit itself doesnt bother me as such just the motivation for it.
 
Id considerit if it really was a nice horse in every way.

Id I want the current owner to prove it was just a habbit there were no health isues involved, like ulcers etc.
From what you have said it sounds like this horse needs turnout!

Id consider a drop in price to use for scope etc.
But there is a potential for long term medication fees involved.
 
I just have!

Similar situation to yours actually, horse I knew well and in my case wasn't even looking to buy. To be honest, the cribbing brought him to within budget...not least because he had lost condition through it recently, due to being stabled around the clock and not really having a job, as he was for sale. It didn't bother me in the slightest, as I knew the horse hale and hearty, and knew that my routine would suit. He was home less than a week before he decided he loves his stable, and exactly one week in he'd virtually stopped completely.

What also convinced me was having a look around for what else I could get for the money, and also the fact that I firmly believe that horses you truly gel with can be hard to find, and sometimes come your way for a reason! So I'd say, go for it! :D
 
personally no,
but saying that my special man windsucks and he is a star, i bought him as a 4 yo and i didnt know he windsucked at all, and im glad i didnt because if i had know he had i wouldnt have got him, ive had him for 3 yrs now and so far no problems, though i am speculating that he may have ulcers, so i just feed him high fibre food with calm and condition and hes fine, though one thing he is very good at is pulling fencing down and freeing himself and his field mates!
 
We have to that windsuck here, its personal choice, and what you want horse for. Horses live into their 30's who wind suck so it depends on what you want to do with the horse.
 
My daughters first pony cribbed a lot, he never had colic and it didnt impact on him in any way. I had a couple of young horses at the time and they never picked up on the habit either. We never intended selling him so that was never an issue as he spent the rest of his days here on the farm, he was an absolute super star and taught my daughter to ride.

OP what happened about your Rottie, the one you couldnt keep and was looking for a foster home even though you couldnt afford for him to be neutered, did you manage to find him somewhere?.
 
Dobiegirl said:
My daughters first pony cribbed a lot, he never had colic and it didnt impact on him in any way. I had a couple of young horses at the time and they never picked up on the habit either. We never intended selling him so that was never an issue as he spent the rest of his days here on the farm, he was an absolute super star and taught my daughter to ride.

OP what happened about your Rottie, the one you couldnt keep and was looking for a foster home even though you couldnt afford for him to be neutered, did you manage to find him somewhere?.
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Oh god, sorry I've just realised I forgot about replying to your PM :(
I appreciate what you did to try and help.
One of my mum's old friends got in touch with her to say she could take him after we put an ask for help on facebook. Also we went down to our local vets and asked about neutering and not only is it not awfully expensive like quoted elsewhere we can do it on a payment plan too. Thank god!!
 
Megibo said:
Oh god, sorry I've just realised I forgot about replying to your PM :(
I appreciate what you did to try and help.
One of my mum's old friends got in touch with her to say she could take him after we put an ask for help on facebook. Also we went down to our local vets and asked about neutering and not only is it not awfully expensive like quoted elsewhere we can do it on a payment plan too. Thank god!!
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That is really good news about your dog, it does pay to shop around as some vets do really good deals as well as payment plans.
 
Dobiegirl said:
That is really good news about your dog, it does pay to shop around as some vets do really good deals as well as payment plans.
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They're the same vets as do our horses and are really good, so used to them specialisng in horses we forgot they have small animal too so never occurred to ask!
Even though it is a friend taking him he may as well be neutered anyway.
 
If the seller is genuine and he is a sweet pony, I would buy him if he was what I wanted. If I hadn't bought a horse that cribbed I would never have had my amazing first horse!
 
She only wants £100 for it but still waiting to see what she is doing! Might just save myself the time and money to get her right and get something else. Thanks for all the responses though everyone
 
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