It is estimated that 10–20% of horses perform some form of stereotypic behaviour. What are they, what do they look like and what can you do about them?
Stereotypic behaviours such as crib biting and windsucking can be performed by any horse in a variety of different situations so it is important not to assume that your horse is incapable of or would never perform these behaviours.
Both crib biting and windsucking are oral stereotypic behaviours and are caused due to the horse’s ‘end goal’ not being achieved for a particular motivation. These behaviours are repetitive and are induced by frustration, repeated attempts to cope with a situation i.e., a stressful event or a central nervous system dysfunction.
What does a stereotypical behaviour for a horse look like?
Crib biting (cribbing) involves the horse grasping a fixed object e.g., a fence, stable door, bucket etc with the incisors (front teeth), contracting the neck muscles and pulling back. This usually produces an audible ‘grunting’ sound however horses do not swallow much air when performing this behaviour.
Windsucking (aerophagia) is closely related to crib biting and is where the horse arches its neck and uses the mouth to suck air into the cranial oesophagus followed by a grunting noise as the horse blows the air back out of its mouth. Horses that ‘windsuck’ do not always latch onto a solid object and can perform this behaviour without doing so.
Both behaviours are compulsive but are distinct in their nature and stereotypic behaviours have no apparent goal or function.
Crib biting (cribbing) involves the horse grasping a fixed object such as a fence.
What problems to these behaviours cause to horses?
It is a common misconception that other horses will ‘copy’ stereotypic behaviours that are being performed by horses kept in close proximity to them. This is not the case as there needs to be a trigger for an individual horse to begin performing oral stereotypic behaviour e.g., stress.
Stereotypic behaviours are not immediately harmful to the horse but over time oral stereotypic behaviours can lead to dental issues, digestive problems and weight loss. Not to mention damage to the objects that the horse is latching onto. Other stereotypic behaviours such as box walking can lead to musculoskeletal issues over time.
Horses that perform stereotypic behaviours are often valued at a lower monetary value and frequently owners will have trouble finding livery yards that will take on horses that perform these behaviours due to the damage that they may cause to stables, fencing etc.
Why do horses perform stereotypic behaviours?
Stereotypic behaviours are the result of an unachieved goal. Horses have a time budget in which they proportion their daily behaviours. Horses exhibit appetitive (seeking) behaviours and if what they are seeking e.g., forage is not achieved they will redirect these behaviours and ultimately this is where stereotypic behaviours are formed. Horses exhibit stereotypic behaviours when they experience prolonged periods of stress, frustration or when their basic needs are not met. Factors that contribute to the formation of stereotypical behaviours include:
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Environment – if horses do not have social or visual contact with other horses or are kept in barren environments.
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Feeding – Horses are browsing animals and need to eat for 16-18 hours per day. If they cannot find food this leads to the formation of stereotypic behaviours.
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Management – housing horses in a way that they do not have visual contact with other horses.
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Genetics – some horses are more predisposed to developing stereotypic behaviours.
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Nervous system – disorders of the nervous system also contribute.
If the horse’s needs are not met and no management or environmental changes are made, stereotypic behaviours will develop and these then become a normal part of the horse’s behavioural repertoire meaning that once formed, even if appropriate changes are made, the horse will always perform stereotypical behaviours as these behaviours will have become a habit.
How do I manage a horse with oral stereotypic behaviours?
Physically stopping a horse from performing these behaviours is not advised because this increases stress and will lead to further problems. For horses that have not performed these behaviours before but have shown signs of doing so, making management and environmental changes quickly is imperative to stop the formation of these behaviours from occurring. If a horse has been performing these behaviours for a long time, unfortunately they will always do so, however, it is still a good idea to make changes to their environment and management regimes e.g., provide more forage if possible or changing their routine, as this could help to reduce the time spent performing these behaviours.
Appropriate nutrition can help to reduce the risk of stereotypic behaviours from occurring. For example, if a horse is seeking food (forage) and can’t find it so starts to perform stereotypic behaviours, providing more forage will help to stop these behaviours from forming or being exacerbated. If you think that your horse is performing stereotypic behaviours due to stress, you could try feeding a calmer alongside implementing appropriate management changes. If the behaviours could be linked to digestive issues, consider adding a digestive supplement to your horse’s diet and ensure that their bucket feed is appropriate for them and that they have access to as much forage as is possible for them to maintain a healthy weight. Not all horses can be fed ad-lib forage so finding ways to increase forage eating times for those that need restricted intakes will also help.
Top tips for dealing with stereotypical behaviours in horses:
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Ensure adequate turnout is available
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Provide social contact
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Avoid high starch diets or feed appropriately if required
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Feed plenty of forage
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Consider the individuals exercise regime
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Use supplements to compliment the diet and management of your horse
Providing social contact for your horse is key when dealing with their Stereotypic behaviours.
How can Feedmark help?
Settelex™ is ideal for horses and ponies who display undesirable oral behaviours, especially when stabled. This blend of ingredients soothes the digestive system and supports healthy levels of acid within the stomach, helping to maintain normal behaviour. Settelex™ is particularly beneficial to horses who become easily stressed.
Additionally, our popular and effective horse calmer Steady-Up® has been used for years by horse owners wanting to help their horse to relax and focus. It contains two forms of Magnesium, to aid absorption, as it is well known that a deficiency in Magnesium can lead to stressy, difficult or stereotypic behaviour.