Does anyone know a way to make my horse stop cribbing?

Question

Okay, my horse (8y/o Quarter Horse) just randomly started cribbing last year. It was right after a minor lameness issue he had. He is no longer lame, and his cribbing is controled by the Mericale Collar. The strange thing is he NEVER cribs outside...only in the stall. I would let him be outside 24/7 but that just isn't an opption. We are trying him on the U Guard supplement to see if it helps, but it has been about a week and no progress.

I am really sick of it because I know he didn't akways do it and it makes me mad xP Does anyone know of a way that might help? Oh, and we ahve tried all sorts of stuff that tastes bad on the wood...IT DOES NOTHING!! Any "secret" remedy or anything that you guys know of?

THANKS SOOOOOOO MUCH

Answer 1

Now do you mean "Cribbing" as in chewing wood in stalls or paddocks?  Or do you mean "Wind Sucking" as in grabbing a hold of a board, piece of metal pipe or anything else a horse can get their teeth onto?

The two seem to get confused a LOT lately.

For cribbing, you can normally paint the stall with products from creosote to products designed specifcally for horses like "chew stop", etc.

As for wind sucking, most horses will do it LESS if turned out for longer periods of time or out in pasture with other horses.  When you have a wind sucker, you have to watch them regularly because they suck air into their stomach for that endorphin high and colic easier.  I've had lots of other horses with this gelding and none have ever offered to try wind sucking, so it's an old wives tale that they teach other horses how to do it.  You can try the collars but a died in the wool wind sucker will figure out a way around the collar.

One of my former students had a gelding who did this years ago and she noticed her now 6yr old TB mare starting it and asked the vet and did some research on her own and this is what she came up with.

"I did some research and talked to my vet. Both sources revealed that the behavior indicates the presence of ulcers! (I had no idea horses could get ulcers.) The vet also checked her teeth and determined that they needed to be floated, which was done. In fact, that was the first thing the vet suggested, saying that the chewing behavior is common in horses that need their teeth floated. The ulcers probably came about because she couldn't chew her food properly. I chose not to get ulcer medication, but instead feed an extra flake of Timothy Hay every evening. The vet confirmed that would help the condition, and also cautioned against sugary feed.

I'm happy to report that my mare is no longer chewing down her stall, and I've witnessed no more signs of windsucking. Now keep in mind that action was taken as soon as the signs were noticed. I don't believe she had time to get physically addicted. Still, I watch for signs, and continue to feed her extra Timothy. "

It's NOT the end of the world.

Answer 2

Horse crib when their is a lack of roughage in their diet and when they are bored. try feeding more hay and put a toy in his stall. lik it treat, Jolly ball, anything to entertain him. hope this helps

Answer 3

Ok, I've been working with horses for about 7years now, and I don't know everything, but this would be my suggestion for you, 'cause I had the same problem not 2 monthes ago! What I would suggest is that if you have one horse, maybe you might be able to get another kind of animal too, to give your horse company. (goats, mini ponies....)

   Also, there's a product specificaly made for horses that chew wood. It's called "Quitt." I think that you could find it at almost any horse  supplies store. Also, (now I've never tried this myself...but I heard it works) if you take old car oil and put it on the wood, horses hate the taste. They say it gives the wood a nice, dark color, and keeps the horse from chewing.

  And, it might not be a bad idea to get your horses teeth checked. What I like to do is call around to different vets in the area, and find out which one is cheapest. Sometimes you can find an awsome vet for a great price!

  So yeah, I really hope that helps.... : )

Answer 4

He probably started due to boredom, so try putting a jolly ball, or some other form of entertainment in his stall to give him something else to do. The miracle collars and other products like it really don't do much to cure the problem, so i would stop wasting money on them. sorry if I'm repeating something someone else has already said, i was too lazy to read all the answers ; )

Answer 5

I use to own a horse that cribbed bite.

There is nothing you can do to push the habit. Put it in this way, It is the same as a drug addict they get so addicted they cant push it except a druggy can push it.

It all starts when they get locked in stalls;

You can either use crib biting collars which only work on some horses but i jsut dont have the heart to have put it on my horse but i had too though.

You can allso get some stuff from your local feed supplier that gets put on the wooden gates. It is a jelly stuff that has the world's msot bitter taste but sometimes are horse will jsut put up with it.

or get some vinegar and smother that all over the top of the door it worked for my horse :)

There is nothing that will kick the habit unfortunately, and it can cause alarming health if it is a continuous ongoing thing that is done a lot during the day and your hrose can also lose muscle tone and go very thin.

I wish with all my heart there was some secret but unfortunately there isn't. I know your pain having to go through the same thing with my horse

Anyways hopefully these ideas will help :)

:) Paige

Answer 6

It can be frustrating, my horse cribs too.  I tried the Miracle Collar, but I found something that works better.  Here is a link to what it looks like:

http://www.tackwholesale.com/images/Crib...

I hope this helps!

Edit:  The way it works goes like this:  When the horse starts cribbing, the metal part (hinges), close.  This makes it uncomfortable for the horse to suck wind, because the metal parts close.  Also, if he doesn't crib outside, then keep him outside for long periods of time.  But even in the pasture he might still crib.  A lot of the time horses will chose cribbing over eating because cribbing releases endorphins.  But if you are saying that he doesn't crib in the pasture, then I would keep him in there for long periods of time, the food might keep him busy.

Answer 7

Check this out.

http://www.allivet.com/The-ViceBreaker-H...  

They tell me it works good and cribbing can be a serious problem.

Answer 8

There is a spray that can be applied to the walls/door/wherever the horse cribs that has been pretty effective with our horses

Answer 9

I own a cribber.  There is nothing you can do to stop this bad habit.  It is like a horse who weaves. I keep a cribbing collar on him at all times.  He has gone for acupunchture treatments but did not good

If you don't put a cribber collar on to control the habit, I have been told it can cause digestive problems because he is sucking in air and that is not good.

The is no secret remedy but you can try red pepper.

Answer 10

you could try the jolly ball (or other brands) with the flavored l**k on them. there are lots of ads for them on horse.com

it sounds like a boredom thing

Answer 11

I would definatley use vinegar, but if that doesn't work or you get complaints about stinking up the barn, then you could try a mirror. Try to find a big plastic mirror with rubber on the edges because sometimes a horse will want to spend hours admiring themselves or talking to their new 'friend.'

Answer 12

You do realize crbbing is caused by stress?Yes, one way is to make the surfaces your horse is crbbing upon less desirable,but in order to stop it you need to also understand why your horse does it. Not only is it a direct sign of stress and boredom, but it is also a sign of stomach acidity.The horse recieves natural endorphins from cribbing.Horses kept in small spaces that rarely get out to graze

"It is almost impossible to completely stop a horse from cribbing. No one remedy or combination of remedies has proved to be fully effective in stopping this disorder. A remedy can only minimize damage done to your horse's health. "

Allow your horse to live in the most natural environment possible, so that your horse may be given the freedom to graze and have access freely to hay-the horse will feel more at ease, less stressed, and less bored.

Cribbing straps are also a good idea, too.

"One of the many products available in the market to stop a horse from cribbing consists of straps that are placed around the horse's throat area, and are known as "cribbing straps". These straps neither hurt the horse, nor do interfere with eating or breathing. The straps put pressure on the horse's throat when it starts cribbing. This pressure annoys some horses who decide to stop cribbing. Even then, many horses tolerate this pressure and do not stop cribbing. "

Non-toxic sprays are naturally what come to mind at first, but the disadvantage is that you have to keep reapplying when it wears off and your horse will just continue cribbing in the areas not sprayed.Once moved to a diff stall, the horse will simply start cribbing all over again!

"You can also apply the following methods: calming herbal mixtures, low acid feeds developed for horses, aromatherapy, flower essences, homeopathic treatment, alteration of the throat muscles by surgery, hanging toys such as balls and jugs on strings for the horse to mouth, mineral supplements, anti-acids, chiropractic treatments, or electric fencing either on its own or over wooden fences. Drastic and cruel steps like electric shock collars are avoided by the average horse owner and they too are not hundred percent effective."

So, like I said, let your horse freely graze and allow your horse to live in a more natural environment.

Answer 13

You can get a cribbing Collier it really helps. I used it on my horse and she stoped.

Answer 14

well one thing i can offer to you is to keep him in his turnout as long as you can because he is doing this out of boredom for sure.My mare used to do this but I put things in her stall to amuse her like horse toys and l**k its that only worked a little bit because as soon as they ran out she cribbed. keep hay in her stall with lots of toys and she should stop if not try a really good cribbing collar.It could get a little expensive but i think its better than pay a huge bill for your barn (:

toys: http://www.horse.com/Farm-Ranch-Supplies...

http://www.horse.com/Farm-Ranch-Supplies...

cribbing:   http://www.horse.com/Farm-Ranch-Supplies...

Answer 15

The very first suggestion that I had, (then I finished reading your question) was to keep his turnout time as long as possible.  That, the collar, keeping munchies (hay) in front of him at all times and as much interaction with him that is physically possible.  Once they start, if they are a genuine cribber, it's very hard to stop...like stopping a dope addict.  They actually get high when they "lock" on and start that "un gawdly" sound sucking wind off anything that they can get their teeth around.  If you choose to keep him and can do just so much in the area of regulating the harmful habit, make sure that you stay on top of any symptoms of ulcers that might show themselves...in fact, there is even an ulcer preventive available now for those that are prone to stomach ulcers...I'm sorry that this had to happen, it's not only sad and discouraging, but downright aggravating, good luck.

Answer 16

I cant help much on this subject but I do know they have paint that can stop them. Also try and keep him out in a pature and keep him very busy or he will create MORE bad habbits like weeving and pawing and pasing.

Hope it helps

!*!*!*!*EDIT!*!*!**!

also put a tea towel in his stall hanging up with a strong,unusual  but good smelling sent. he will then stick his head in it and smell it and try to toss it.

Answer 17

with most horses the problem is that you dont let them out enough to graze naturally. make sure he gets plenty of pasture time, this will take away alot of his stress and boredom. be sure he gets free access to pasture grass and hay(:

hope it helped.

Answer 18

I have a "wind sucker" and I can tell you that this thing http://www.tackwholesale.com/images/Crib...

does not work.  Also I sprayed his favorite sucking post with all kinds of nasty no-chew sprays and he licks it off then goes back to sucking.  Mine only does it randomly.  He keeps his collar  on at all times except with riding.  He has gone 6 months-1 year without doing it and then he will start it up again.  He will suck for a couple months and start again.  I have noticed that most of his sucking time is during the summer months.  You can try exercising him a little more, and give him more challenging things to do when riding him and that might help his boredom.  Mine stays turned out with 5 other horses so a "pet" for him is not the issue.  

My advice is just try some new entertainment and see if he stops!!

Answer 19

First, you have identified your horse's vice correctly as cribbing.  Windsucking is cribbing, and wood chewing is just wood chewing.  There are many good ideas offered here.  A few that I did not see mentioned:

Lower all buckets, feeders, or whatever he cribs on to ground level.  They have to have their heads up to crib.

Grease whatever he cribs on with Vasaline.  They don't like it in their mouths.

Put chicken wire over whatever he grabs onto.

If the collar works stick with it, but it will eventually be less effective with most horses.  We have a stallion that we rotate through all the things mentioned in the postings.  We have tried a lot of "guarranteed" products, but have learned there is no such thing!