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Stable Vices
There are a range of stable vices
(which legally constitute 'unsoundness' and must be declared at
sale). Most, if not all, of them have the same root cause -
BOREDOM! When a horse, by nature an animal that spends a lot of
its time 'on the move', spends up to 22 hours in a 12 x 12 'box', it
is quite understandable that it will try to find ways to alleviate
that boredom!
An estimated 15% of domestic horses
are believed to exhibit one or more of these vices, which all involve
repeated, stereotypic rituals. Experiments have indicated that
these exaggerated forms of some basic, instinctive behaviours may be
due to or triggered by natural, opium-like compounds known as
enkephalins and endorphins that the body produces in response to
stressful situations. There is also some evidence to suggest a
hereditary tendency (which would explain why ALL stabled horses, kept
in very similar conditions, do not develop any of these vices.
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Cribbing
and Windsucking
Weaving
Wall kicking
Box Walking Prevention
and 'Cure'
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Cribbing
and Windsucking
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Crib-biting and wood-chewing occurs in
both stabled and paddock-kept horses and is a behaviour that appears
to be copied in many cases. It MAY have a nutritional element
initially, but once the habit is established, no amount of
supplementation seems to effect a cure. Crib-biters will often
show abnormal wear to the front incisors. Crib-biting often
includes (or develops into) windsucking, in which the horse gulps in
air and swallows it (rather than inhaling.) Windsucking
may predispose to colic or poor condition, although many horses show
no apparent ill-effects. The established windsucker will not be
deflected by lack of a suitable suface to grip with his teeth - he
will either grip onto his own knee - or windsuck with nothing to hold
in his mouth. The simplest control measure is a windsucking
strap - worn at all times that the horse is not actually
working. There are various surgical procedures available, which
are successful in some cases.
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Weaving
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Weaving is rarely seen to develop in a
horse kept at grass, although some established weavers will still
weave when turned out. Very occasionally, it may be a symptom of
painful feet. The horse 'weaves' or rocks from side to side, (as
if) relieving pressure on his front feet. In fact, weaving can
cause abnormal wear of feet and shoes. The use of a v-grill over
the door inhibits many cases BUT it does NOT deal with the underlying
cause - boredom (or sometimes, anxiety.) Some horses will only
weave at feed times, indicating patience or anxiety.
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Wall kicking
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Occasional wall kicking is often
associated with feedtime (and fear that the horse in the next stable
may get fed first.) But occasionally it develops into a
repetitive, noisy habit that does no good to horse, stable - or the
nerves of the carer! Again, boredom is a prime cause - but some
horses APPEAR to ENJOY the noise they create. A radio in the
stable and rubber mats on the walls may help in those cases.
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Box Walking
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Can be an aggravating form of behaviour
but is usually a temporary response to confinement. The horse
usually paves back and forth on the front wall - but may also go
around and around in a circle. The author once cared for a
Thoroughbred that was confined to its box with a solid plaster cast
from fetlock to elbow on his off-fore for six weeks following a
fracture to a knee bone. He walked incessantly in left-handed
circles - swinging the plastered leg outwards. He couldn't lie
down with the cast (and rubber mats weren't produced then) so he was
kept on minimal bedding! Another 'problem horse' walked
incessantly if his companion went out without him, turning his bedding
into a pulp in just 1 hour.
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Prevention
and Cure
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Preventing these 'conditions' or vices is
FAR easier and more satisfactory than trying to treat or cure them!
1. Turn stabled horses out as often as
possible for as long as possible, particularly if not being ridden
regularly. If they are ridden once a day (say, in the morning)
and can't be turned out, they should AT LEAST be led out in hand for a
pick of grass and a change of scenery in the afternoon or early
evening.
2. Use a haynet with very small holes
(to make it more of a challenge and keep the horse occupied longer.
3. Try and ensure that stabled horses
can at least see other horses or animals. Even a goat or a sheep
is better than nothing.
4. Try to visit more often - whether to
give an 'extra' feed (divide the regular day's ration into 4 or 5
feeds) or to groom, or preferably to lead out of the stable for a pick
of grass. If you've got a job to do that you COULD do in the
stable, rather than in the house, put your horse's welfare first and
your own comfort second! Leave a radio playing.
5. Provide some stable toys - A small
tyre hanging from a rope (about head height) in the corner of the
stable or one of the 'ball' feeders that drops out a few nuts when
rolled (but your bedding must be kept very clean!) Recent
research suggests a mirror (MUST be shatterproof) in the stable can
considerably reduce or prevent weaving (and possibly other stable
vices as well?), even in established cases.
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HELP-MAIL: If you
can't find the answer and need help urgently, please e-mail:
help@saddleup.org.uk
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[ Up ] [ Biting-nipping ] [ Napping-rearing ] [ Stable Vices ]
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