2006-07-09 11:08:21 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
our horses do it all the time. they live in forty acre fields and they still do it. they are just bored. they have plenty of mineral bolcks, hay and feed. they are getting all their nutrition. it's not cribbing unless you catch them biting down on the wood and sucking in. they have paint that you can put on the fence. there is chew hault and a another one if i think of it i'll let you know
2006-07-09 16:19:31 · answer #1 · answered by Alicia 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because they are bored/ anxious/ unhappy. When they suck air at the same time (cribbing) they get a "high" comparable to smoking a cigarette for a human being and that is why cribbing becomes a habit. Not only does it destroy the wood, but the horse can suck splinters... not an attractive or healthy habit. Some horses quit when their situation changes (more turnout, happier environment) but others require a cribbing collar.
It isn't a sign of something missing from their diet, but horses can learn the behavior from other horses.
2006-07-09 11:28:38 · answer #2 · answered by _aihlie_ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be. Could also be cribbing or windsucking (same difference).
If your horse lacks enough forage (hay, grass) it could need roughage. I'd keep hay for him constantly - horses are grazers and are made to eat throughout the day, small amounts. My horses have grass and round bales at all times.
Windsucking, or cribbing, is a bad habit where the horse braces his teeth against a post or something and sucks air in. It's a bad habit, highly addictive, and can cause him to lose weight. This can cause chewed looking wood. Also, bored horses will chew wood if stalled or confined without grazing.
Wouldn't hurt to make sure he is getting all his vitamins and minerals, too.
2006-07-09 11:27:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is probably cribbing - it's something horses do to get a "high"; they suck in air. Ask someone who is experienced to take a look at your horse and see if it is cribbing - if so, get a cribbing collar. He also might just be bored, so he chews on the fencing. If this is the case, then you can get him a toy to play with to ease the boredrom. Good luck!
2006-07-10 17:01:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be a number of things. but the good thing about it is, all methods of prevention are pretty cheap and very easy.
1- you sloud always have a salt block in the pasture or stall. they will not eat too much of it, but it helps them digest food.
2- you should have hay available 12-16 hours out of 24.. this serves as a grinder to roughen up their food and digest it.
3- the horse may be bored so you can throw out toys or things for them to kick around, or just exercise him more. its easy.
4- next time the vet is there, have them check your horses wolf teeth, they may need trimming.
5- they may need a cribbing collar. this makes it uncomfortable for them to chew on railings fences, etc. theyre like 10-30 bucks.
2006-07-09 11:44:11 · answer #5 · answered by jazzmyn_girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be or it can be nervousness or just plain boredom. My 4 year old does it. He is a high energy horse due to his being half Arabian. Plus he is yound so he just doenst know what to do with all that energy. We have a barn that they can go into during inclement weather or for shade that opens into a paddock with arena type sand in it and then it opens into two pastures. When the grass is too wet for them to go out, they still have the sand paddock to play in and there is very little mud. He does it more when he can only get into the paddock but it doesnt disappear completely when he is in the parture. I suggest a leather cribbing collar.
2006-07-09 11:47:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes something could be missing from their diet so you could try a mineral block, or they could just be plain board so you can try one of the many horse toys out, I have found that jolly balls work the best. Or you can make them from home all you need is a milk jug, rocks, and something to hang it with. You end up making a horse rattle and they love them.
2006-07-09 11:28:55 · answer #7 · answered by blondecowgrl18 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She/he could be cribbing, but there could also be a tooth that needs floating. Have your horse checked out.
2006-07-09 11:19:07 · answer #8 · answered by sassy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all horses need wood and steel in their diet. Don't believe the vet.
2006-07-09 11:11:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a bit of linseed oil or vinager on fench he should quit after a bit he is probably just bored work him more
2006-07-09 14:18:45 · answer #10 · answered by Zane T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋