Educational Topics

What is cribbing? 

Cribbing is a repetitive behavior that is often induced by stress, frustration and/or dysfunction of the central nervous system. It involves the horse grasping with its front teeth on a fixed object such as a stall door or fence post, and contraction the neck muscles and pulling back. 

Horses that crib have been shown to have a higher level of cortisol than non cribbing horses. They also exhibit higher levels of endorphins ( their "feel good" hormone)

Some say horses crib out of boredom, stress or habit. Unfortunately, the main reasons horses crib have not been pinpointed. 

Cribbing is difficult to stop once it has started. Blocking the behavior such as telling the horse to "stop it", may result in frustration in the horse and lead to more cribbing. 

HOW CAN MASSAGE HELP A CRIBBING HORSE?

Cribbing causes abnormal muscling in the neck. Massage is a great way to help release those tense muscles. It also can help to reduce stress which in turn can hopefully reduce the amount of cribbing that the horse is doing. 

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