When a horse cribs, it will typically crib for a large proportion of the time , and on any suitable object, it can reach. Think of it as a bad habit, like someone that chews their nails – when they can do it, they’re going to do it! Why Do Horses Crib-bite?

As it’s not recommended to stop horses from cribbing entirely, you should avoid the use of inhumane cribbing collars and electric ones as these can cause discomfort. Additionally, never use anti-crib surfaces such as metal boards as these can result in tooth damage and horses need their front teeth to be able to eat properly. Another issue that arises from prevention is that as horses have such a strong drive to crib, it can make them perform the action more after a period of not being able to. A slow feeder to deliver hay can be a useful way to distract the horse and keep him occupied so he won’t engage in cribbing. Feeding hay through a net or mesh feeder forces him to take his time eating, which might be a more appealing option than cribbing if the habit is not yet fully ingrained. Crib biting isn’t a behaviour seen in wild horses so it’s thought that it must be a vice that develops due to how domesticated horses are kept. According to Jonathan Wood Veterinary Surgeon, around 4.2% of domesticated horses crib bite and around 15 – 37% of all develop an oral stereotypy.Horses are naturally sociable, free-roaming animals and extended periods of confinement mean they are not able to express their natural behaviors. This leads to anxiety, and horses will attempt to alleviate these feelings by developing unusual behaviors such as crib-biting. Again, very similar to nail-chewing in people, which many of us only do when anxious or stressed! Do Horses Get High From Cribbing? Make sure your horse isn’t going hungry! Consult your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your horse’s feeding habits to find the right balance. However, there is a link between cribbing and feeding excessive amounts of grain, so the horse must get enough roughage in his diet. Horses are individuals with different personalities and quirks, just like humans. However, some risk factors put horses at a higher risk for cribbing or other unwanted stereotypic behaviors. If a horse is cribbing primarily from boredom, giving the animal more stimulation can help to curb the behavior or keep it from becoming entrenched:

If you are expecting another child, you may need to move your toddler to a bed so your newborn can use the crib. If possible, start transitioning your toddler to the new bed at least a few months before the baby arrives. This gives your toddler time to adjust to their new bed without feeling jealous or displaced by their new younger sibling. However, it may be better to get a second crib for the newborn especially if the toddler is not developmentally ready to transition out of the crib. Is Your Child Experiencing Any Other Big Changes? You might also consider a convertible crib, which is a piece of furniture that can act as either a crib or a toddler bed. With these, you can remove one side of the crib, giving your child the freedom to get in and out of bed on their own, without losing the comfort and familiarity of the crib. Additionally the toddler bed can be further converted to a full sized bed for when the child is older. There are other signs your child is ready to switch to a larger bed, even if they have not managed to climb out of their crib just yet. For example, if you can see their chest above the rail of the crib when they are standing up, they may have outgrown their crib. Typically, a child should switch to a bed when they are about 3 feet tall. They may also start expressing to you that they want a big bed like you or an older sibling.

Better Sleep for a Better You.

Many horses are cribbing because of anxiety, stress, or mental unrest . Whilst this can be caused by many things, a common cause of anxiety in horses is confinement. If a horse doesn’t have enough access to turnout and open space, he may become anxious and restless. However, moving from a crib to a bed is a normal part of childhood. Most toddlers naturally mature to a place where they are ready for, and may even welcome, the change. Some kids are ready to make the switch as early as 18 months, while others feel more comfortable once they are 2 or 3 years old. The right time for your family can depend on a number of factors. Horses are happier with room to run – these herd animals are always on the move in the wild. If you think your horse is spending too much time inside a dark stable, consider changing up his living accommodations. It would seem possible that repetitive abnormal movements that occur with these “locomotor” stereotypies could result in musculo-skeletal issues developing, but further research is needed in this area. Should we stop undesirable behaviours like cribbing? It can be difficult to break a horse of a bad habit, but with patience and time, you might be able to curb this behavior.