A characteristic that is often times difficult to pin-point, self-mutilation is sometimes an overlooked concern.
The challenge lies in determining whether it’s truly a self-mutilation concern, or a behavior caused by colic or other health concerns.
So what is self-mutilation in horses? Generally, it’s much more common in males (often stallions) than in females.
The pattern can develop as a colt, where they may begin to nip at their chest or flank. It is often brought by the on-set of sexual maturity. It can start as missing patches in the hair coat, and progress to more prevalent wounds.
It is important, if your horse is displaying signs of self-mutilation, to consult your veterinarian to rule out internal or external sources of pain.
This can often times be the reason for the self-mutilation, so it’s important to troubleshoot these issues with your veterinarian.
Eliminating the pain (if present) is the first step in combating the problem. Other options could include a ridged neck cradle, providing more time out of confinement, adding a stall-mate or increasing work or exercise.
Like with cribbing, feed management can also play a factor. Providing free-choice hay, with a slow feeding haynet can sometimes ease that boredom that can be associated with the cause of self-mutilation.
Again, consult your veterinarian on a treatment plan that will best fit you and your horse.
Cribbing, the process of a horse biting down on a stationary wooden structure, applying pressure and then breathing in deeply, can be destructive to more than just your barn and stalls!
A wooden fence that has been chewed by a cribber.
While cribbing has traditionally been thought to be just a vice or bad habit, new information indicates that a horse that cribs may be responding to a digestive upset. The act of cribbing produces excess saliva. This saliva helps to buffer the stomach and can calm the pain of things like ulcers and other digestive problems.
If you have a horse that cribs, the first step should be determining why the problem started. This may very well include a trip to the vet to rule out gastric ulcers or digestive issues. In cribbers who are diagnosed with ulcers, the behavior often stops or is reduced when treatment for the ulcers is started. Cribbing can also be caused by extreme boredom and is usually associated with horses who spend most of their time in stall situations.
Causes of Cribbing in Horses
It is important to note that cribbing is not a learned behavior – horses don’t start cribbing because they see their stablemates doing it. Rather, in a group of horses that all begin to crib the catalyst may be management practices that lead to some type of gastric distress. Some of these practices that can lead to cribbing include:
The bad news is that once a horse has started cribbing, it can be a hard habit to break. As the horse bites down on the wood and inhales, endorphins are released that can give the animal a “high”. That is why it can be very difficult for the horse that has started cribbing to stop – they get addicted to what it does to their body. Unfortunately, cribbing is a very good way to cause colic (as well as destroy property), so all possible steps should be taken to end the behavior.
Breaking the Cribbing Habit:
Once the source of the cribbing is confirmed and addressed, some recommendations to help stop the behavior and break the addiction can include:
Adequate long stemmed forage provided throughout the day
Plenty of turn out time with opportunities to interact with other horses
Stall toys to help ease boredom
Placing feed in multiple locations around the pen to make the horse mimic his natural grazing behavior
Feeding grain meals in small amounts several times per day rather than all at once
Providing a balanced diet
Giving ample access to loose white salt
Using a special cribbing collar or strap
Covering wooden surfaces with anti-chew paint
Treating the cribbing horse can be a challenge, but remember that the first step is figuring out why the problem started. Your horse’s cribbing may just be his way of telling you that he is in pain and needs your help.
At Nutrena, we believe proper nutrition plays the biggest role for a lifetime of health and happiness for every horse. That’s why Nutrena horse feeds are specifically formulated for every life stage and activity level.
Ready to ensure your horse is getting the optimum nutrition at feeding time, every time? Find the perfect feed formulated specifically for horse’s needs with our Feed Selector Tool.
A characteristic that is often times difficult to pin-point, self-mutilation is sometimes an overlooked concern.
