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Vices of Horses and Equines:

Cribbing, Weaving, Pacing

  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Introduction

Introduction » A Biochemical Addiction » Cribbing or Windsucking » Woodchewing » Pawing and weaving » More Info 

In nature, the horse is a gregarious, roaming animal, that grazes constantly. In captivity, the horse is frequently confined, alone, and without anything to chew. When you consider the changes in habits that we ask of the horse, it is amazing that he adapts at all. When pushed too far he will find ways to satisfy his physical and psychological needs and, like humans, what is "too far" varies widely from individual to individual. With repetition, these adaptations to an abnormal environment can become ingrained behaviors that are impossible to eradicate. There is evidence to suggest that some of these behaviors are based on the release of some of the pleasure chemicals in the horses brain called endorphins and enkephalins. We call these bad habits vices and they include: cribbing or wind sucking, weaving, pacing, kicking the stall. This article addresses the causes, prevention, and treatment of these problems.
      ~Word Count: 2055 words (The average magazine page contains about 600 words);
      ~Last Updated: September 08, 2009;

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Discussions on Stable Vices: Cribbing, Weaving, and Others
  Titles Subtopics Posts Updated
iconShould I?20 Sep 29, 09
iconCribbing SurgeryMar 23, 09
iconWind SuckingMar 27, 09
iconWind sucking/cribbing10 May 20, 08
iconResearch Summary: Could cribbing be due to lesions in the brain? Apr 29, 08
iconTree paintMar 16, 08
iconManaging psychological well being for horsesNov 8, 07
iconExcess water intake any time near water. May 30, 07
iconStall panic only at shows14 Nov 8, 06
iconPacing mare15 May 21, 08
iconStall walking19 Jun 28, 06
iconWeanling Chewing WoodFeb 27, 06
iconEquine Self-Mutilation Syndrome: A Stereotypic Behaviour31 Feb 15, 06
iconWindsucking - endorphin releasing medicine available?Jan 12, 06
iconWill Miracle collar help wood chewer?24 Dec 8, 05
iconWeaving and stiffness in front legsSep 25, 05
iconIs this windsucking?18 Oct 15, 07
iconCribber....baking soda?Jan 30, 05
iconCribbing & Wind Sucking...Mar 20, 04
iconRubbing TeethApr 7, 03
iconMuzzle to prevent cribbing/woodchewingDec 24, 02
iconWhy do so many know so little about cribbing?21 May 14, 06
iconStaple in ear to stop cribbing?Apr 3, 02
iconHas anyone tried the Vicebreaker to deter cribbing/windsucking?Feb 12, 02
iconWater dunking11 Apr 1, 04
iconCribbing Ten-Year-Old TBOct 21, 01
iconWeaves in TrailerSep 3, 01
iconPacing mareAug 27, 01
iconArchived DiscussionsClick link to access data.
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