Cribbing in Horses

Equine vices are a battle for stable managers and horse owners alike. Thoroughbreds in particular seen to be prone to cribbing and as much as 10-15% of domesticated equines may exhibit these obsessive compulsive disorders, of which cribbing heads the list.

Annoying, financially and aesthetically destructive, and hazardous to the horse’s health, cribbing (aerophagia), also referred to as “wind sucking”, can be caused by boredom, anxiety or stress and can be seen in horses confined for long periods at a stretch.

During the act of cribbing, the horse grasps the surface of choice with his front teeth, flexes his neck and draws air into the throat.  A grunt will be heard. It is commonly seen in stalls and fencing but anything at chest height can be targeted. It is a different syndrome than wood chewing (in which no air is sucked), and the horse may actually spend more time cribbing than eating.

It is thought a lack of social interaction or lack of grazing/turnout may contribute to cribbing. Some have considered it directly related to bad training practices, but that theory has been denounced. Recent reports in The Horse indicate this is probably not a learned behavior at all. New research has indicated cribbing may be inherited, and Thoroughbreds seen to be more predisposed.

The horse may discover cribbing can create a drug-like high, releasing endorphins. Endorphins are natural painkillers and stress relievers and if a horse cribs due to stress, he may find these endorphins make him feel better, leading to increased cribbing.

Health hazards associated with cribbing include excess wear or chipping of the teeth, often resulting in a noticeable gap between top and bottom front teeth when the jaw is closed. Splinters may also impale the lips, and cribbing has a history of leading to weight loss (secondary to tooth wear), and equine motor neuron disease.

Multiple studies have also found a link between cribbing and an increased type of surgical colic called epiploic entrapment (EPE), in which the small intestine herinates into the epiploic foraman. There appears to be an unusually high percentage of horses with EPE that are cribbers. Researchers speculate this may occur due to this part of the intestine altering shape during cribbing and possible due to abdominal pressure as well. They are unsure if the ingested gases have any effect.

There is no cure-all for the cribber. Thus, prevention is key. Cribbing is not seen in wild horse herds and there is thought that constant grazing and a consistently full stomach may ward off this bad habit. Therefore, horses should be given plenty of turnout time in a grassy setting. Those that must remain stalled should ideally be fed throughout the day rather than one or two large meals daily. Toys or a buddy should be provided. Ensuring the horse does not remain idle or bored will lessen stress, and as a result, lessen the chance of cribbing.

Try to combat the problem soon after discovery, ideally, within the first 30-60 days. The sooner cribbing is detected, the better chance for it not to become a long term problem.

If, however, the problem continues, owners have several options. Changing the horse’s environment may be helpful to deal with cribbing (or any stable vice). Primarily, the best option is a cribbing collar, which constricts lower neck muscles. Some collars have a tack strip in it to cause discomfort anytime the horse sucks air. There is debate whether painting wood surfaces will discourage cribbing (it may discourage chewing, however). You may also choose to bed your horse on straw, so he has to pick out wisps of hay, similar to as if he were grazing.

Further solutions include shock collars (similar to bark collars used in dogs) and antidepressant therapy, which provides an artificial means of endorphin release. There has been no long term evaluation on safe or effective antidepressant therapy.

If all other options fail, it may be best to just give the horse something safe TO crib on, such as an old tire or rubber coating on the stalls.

For horses with an extreme problem, surgery or cribbing rings may be the answer.

Cribbing surgery (Forssells or Modified Forssells procedure) removes a portion of the muscles which control throat movement in addition to a portion of the spinal accessory nerve. The surgery is fairly common and enjoys a favorable success rate of 60%, provided the horse is less than two years of age and has been cribbing for a no longer than six months. While the muscles are not entirely clipped, they are cut down to the point of restriction. (Caveat: the longer a horse has been a cribber, the more muscle he has built up and therefore, still may be able to crib to an extent.)

In a simple procedure under sedation, small cribbing rings are inserted into the gums between the upper incisors and then clamped with pliers. The process takes about ten minutes and the rings generally stay on 3-6 weeks. The rings put pressure on the gums, making cribbing uncomfortable. There are no side effects to the gums or teeth and they do not interfere with eating or wearing a bit. The horse will not crib while the rings are in place and they begin to work shortly after they are put in. Cribbing rings are 80% successful in halting this habit.

Stabled horses are better candidates for rings, as they can come out with grazing. Be aware they horse may return to cribbing after the rings come out.

Another downfall of owning a cribber many may not be aware of is insuring the horse. Some carriers will turn down cribbers, due to the health risks. Some large auction companies require cribbers be disclosed prior to sale in the ring. If the horse is not listed as a cribber, and it turns out that he is, the purchaser has the right to return the horse to the consignor.

While it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate the problem of cribbing in a horse, care should be exercised to provide the horse with an environment that prevents the problem before it starts. Changing up his routine, eliminating stress factors, and providing the horse with ample turnout time can prevent him from picking up this ugly habit. If you own a serious cribber and are ready for a change, ask your vet if he would be a candidate for intensive therapy such as surgery.