🔧 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Cribbing in Horses

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

1. What is Cribbing?

Cribbing (also known as crib-biting or windsucking) is a **stereotypic behavior** where a horse grasps a hard object with its incisors, arches its neck, pulls back, and sucks in air—often producing a raspy grunt :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. It’s rhythmic, repetitive, and driven by internal motivations.

2. Who Cribs & Why?

• Prevalence: ~2–8% overall; ~13% in Thoroughbreds—suggesting genetic predisposition :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Onset: Often starts in stabled, concentrated-fed horses—linked to stress of confinement, high-grain diets, early weaning :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Physiology: Cribbing triggers release of endorphins, reduces cortisol—acting as a stress-coping or addictive mechanism :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.

3. Health & Performance Impacts

• Dental wear → eating challenges and weight loss :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Development of abnormal neck muscles and temporohyoid joint arthritis :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Increased risk of colic types (e.g., epiploic foramen entrapment) and possibly gastric ulcers and reduced performance :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Structure damage—fencing, stall doors—and stigma may affect resale or boarding :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

4. Diagnosing Cribbing

• Based on direct observation—look for repeated gripping action, neck arch, air gulping and sounds :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Assess underlying stressors: diet, turnout, social contact, ulcers, weaning history.
• Veterinary check-up focusing on dental, gastric ulcer screening, and musculoskeletal evaluation.

5. Management Strategies

5.1 Husbandry Modifications

• Maximize turnout and social contact—especially herd turnout promotes natural behavior balance :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Switch to **roughage-based diets** with minimal concentrates; use slow feeders to mimic foraging behavior :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Introduce forage dispensers or toys that encourage time-consuming feeding :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

5.2 Environmental Enrichment

• Provide oral engagement: lick/chew toys, Jolly Balls, salt blocks—distract from cribbing :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Offer companionship—passive (goat, donkey) or active (other horses)—to reduce stress/stereotypes :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

5.3 Physical Deterrents & Gear

• Cribbing collars: may reduce behavior short‑term but can increase stress once removed; use cautiously :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Bitter sprays, cribbing boards, stall padding—to minimize damage and discourage the habit :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• Surgical muscle resection (Forssell's): ~84% success but may relapse, not recommended as first-line :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.

5.4 Veterinary & Medical Approaches

• Treat potential gastric ulcers—studies link ulcers and cribbing :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Pharmaceutical agents: opioids blockers reduce cribbing intensity but limited data.
• Behavior modification therapy—regular monitoring of behavior frequency and welfare status.

6. Long-Term Outlook

Cribbing is a **persistent, often irreversible** behavior once established—but its frequency can be reduced through consistent management :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}. Improved quality of life and reduced damage are reasonable goals.

7. Ask A Vet Support 🩺

Using the Ask A Vet platform, you can:

• Submit videos of cribbing for expert evaluation of severity and triggers.
• Receive customized plans—feeding schedule, enrichment, gear options.
• Track progress via logs of cribbing episodes, weight, dental wear.
• Coordinate veterinary follow-ups for ulcers, dental adjustments, or surgical consults.
• Get reminders to update diet, adjust turnout, and refresh enrichment tools.

Download the Ask A Vet app for hands-on telehealth guidance to manage cribbing effectively in 2025 and beyond! ❤️

8. Summary Table

9. Final Thoughts

Cribbing is more than a stable vice—it's a coping behavior rooted in stress and environment. While the behavior can’t always be extinguished, strategic changes in diet, turnout, enrichment, and professional oversight can significantly reduce its impact. With Ask A Vet’s ongoing support, owners can implement lifelong, positive solutions—balancing welfare, performance, and well-being into 2025 and beyond. 🌟