Cribbing (horse)

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Cribbing is a type of vice (bad habit) developed by horses. It involves the horse grabbing a solid object, such as the stall door or fence rail, with his incisors, arching his neck, pulling against the object, and sucking in air. Like most vices, cribbing is thought to cause the release of endorphins in the horse's brain, causing a sensation of pleasure. It has recently been determined that the horse does not actually swallow the air, as was once thought, and air does not collect in the animal's stomach.

[edit] Causes

Cribbing is usually caused by boredom. It is therefore seen most often in horses that are stalled for long periods, or horses kept in fenced areas with poor pasture. Once a confirmed habit, the horse may crib in other places, such as out in a grassy field.

[edit] Problems with cribbing

Cribbing can harm both the horse and the stable. Horses wear down the incisors faster than the teeth can grow out, leading to erosion of the teeth and malocclusions, which can take years to correct. Tooth problems can lead to other, more serious, complications such as colic.

Cribbing is extremely damaging to the stable. Horses will often wear down their stall doors and fence rails.