Recent Advances in the Treatment of Equine Stereotypic Behaviour (2002)

Mills, D.

Abstract

Weaving and crib-biting are of welfare concern and cause problems for owners and managers, who often believe the behaviour can be learned, and can harm the horse, resulting in the use of many techniques aimed at preventing the behaviour. Crib-straps and anti-weaving bars are used most frequently in this regard, by an estimated around 60% and 70% of yards in the UK respectively. Other less common techniques include the removal of surfaces on which cribbing may occur, electrification of cribbing surfaces, the hanging of obstacles at the front of the stable to prevent weaving, tying up and obstructing the path of box walkers. It is however, important to consider the welfare implications of these techniques, and prevention in the case of stereotypy is a cause for concern . A variety of other management changes have been suggested and these appear to vary in their reported efficacy, but there have been few experimental studies into these techniques. Recent innovations in the management of weaving and crib-biting are reported.