The Dangers of Cribbing

Cribbing is a vice for horses that is also called wind sucking. It mainly consists of using his incisors to gnaw wood from structures that reach up to his sternum. So why is it also known as wind sucking? As the horse bites into the wood, he inhales deeply, sucking "wind" in. This triggers hormones that give him a high of sorts.

What is colic? Colic is a condition that relates to everything that is gastrointestinal in nature and which causes pain. It is known to be the no. 1 killer of horses. Horses are prone to colic due to the fact that their gastrointestinal tracts are designed in a more complicated manner. It is composed of more twists and bends that act as pathways for food to pass through. It should be understood though that colic is not a sickness, but more of a symptom or a signal of a disease that could prove to be serious.

What is the relation between cribbing and colic? There is a high possibility of ingestion of small parts of wood in the act of cribbing, which leads to an upset in digestion. It is said that the connection is mostly because of the build up of gas in the gut-which leads to colic-due to wind sucking. However, there is no definitive answer to the connection between cribbing and colic. Although most horses who suffer from colic are inveterate cribbers, the cause for colic may lie in the factors that make a cribber out of the horse in the first place.

Naturally, gnawing on something solid for a prolonged period of time will surely cause dental problems. The act is bound to hasten the wear and tear of teeth. Compulsive cribbing can whittle the horse's teeth down to such mere nubs that sometimes, the teeth are already in line with the gums. With a horse that is not a habitual cribber, this is not much of a problem as they only do this occasionally. But for those that are otherwise, this may affect their ability to graze.

Some cribbing horses suffer from the inability to gain weight. It is not because of the reason that the air that they had sucked in has bloated their stomach, it is more of the horses preferring cribbing over eating.

Having a horse that suffers cribbing is a serious and worrying matter. Long-term cribbing can ultimately lead to a horse's demise. So it is always best to be vigilant to any signs that your horse is indulging in this. Always remember to consult your veterinarian before attempting to treat your horse of cribbing.

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