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My pony is cribbing2007-11-24 21:18:40

My pony is cribing.Usually its a learned habbit.But this time its not.I have a crib strap on him,but when ever you take it off he starts up again!I dont like the crib strap,and was wondering if there are some other ways to stop it?Please help me!I love my pony Fabio so much,and want him to stop because cribbing could hurt him!Help us(Fabio and I)!

Answers:

Okay, first, horses do NOT "learn" to crib. If a horse is going to crib, it will if the situation arises to make him start, as there is a predispostion to cribbing. Plenty of non-cribbers live with and around cribbers and never do it...they just aren't "wired" to do it. Some horses don't start cribbing until they've been extremely stressed or possibly developed ulcers, which is what happens to many that are show or race horses. Sometimes, when you remove the stress or clear up the ulcers, the cribbing will stop or lessen. You may want to check those things.

If you don't want to leave a strap on, just make sure there are no surfaces that he can grab on to crib around him. If you don't want him to crib, leave the strap on or try 24/7 turnout, as many horses don't crib when out. If he's outside and there is wooden fence, then run hot wire around the top of the fence. I have a cribber, he's about 30 and stays out in a field 99.9% of the time. He doesn't crib outside, but will if in a stall with nothiing to so he stays out. He can be stopped with a collar, but then he weaves, so I just let him crib...it won't kill him. The main thing that cribbing does is wear down the horse's teeth...and aggravate humans. It doesn't make them more prone to colic. Lots of studies have been done to dispel a lot of the old fashioned ideas people have about cribbing...do some searches online and you will probably come up with tons of information. So basically, you can't make him stop, but you can manage him to lessen the amount of cribbing he does.

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Actually we are not sure why some ponies and horse crib and others do not. I am sorry that you happen to have one of the ones that do. Unfortunately there is not much more you can do that keep the cribbing strap on. Once horses start it is very difficult if not impossible to get them to completely stop. They get a chemical release in the brain when they do it that feels good, so trying to get them to stop it is next to nil with out a cripping strap.

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Sometimes there are special feeds that can be given to a horse to help them stop cribbing. Cribbing is a terrible habit and is mostly started when the horse is stressed. When they crib it releases endorphins which makes them happier and less stressed. Maybe give them a break from what they have been working on to give them a chance to relax. Also there are special non toxic liquids that can be painted on to where they crib and it makes the wood taste really bad. But I wold definatly try some of the feeds and give him a chance to relax if needed.

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You can let him out of the stall more--it's usually caused by a horse being confined too long. Can you keep him out of the stall most of the time (all is preferable if weather is good)? He probably is bored and wants to be able to run and be around other horses in a pasture or corral.