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Preventing and managing stable vices in horses

‘Stable vice’ may sound harmless, but the associated behavior certainly is not. Cribbing, weaving, box-walking are all the result of significant stress and arise when a horse is restricted in its natural behavior for too long. Usually because they are kept alone in a box for too long. How do you prevent stable vices? And what if your horse already exhibits this kind of behavior?

Stress

25 November '22 • 4 min reading time

A stable vice is a form of repetitive behavior that was originally developed to relieve stress. By performing the repetitive behavior, such as cribbing, the horse releases a dose of endorphins into its blood. Endorphins are hormones that make the horse feel better, this substance has a numbing and calming effect. Endorphins are also addictive. A horse will therefore tend to repeat this behavior over and over again to get another 'hit.'

What stable vices are there?

The most well-known stable vice is cribbing. In this behavior, the horse inhales a large amount of air at once, with the neck in a peculiar bent position. This behavior is also known as ‘crib-biting’, when the horse places its teeth on the feed tub or another object while cribbing. Cribbing is more common in horses that have stomach issues, for example because they are left without roughage for too long. Another well-known stable vice is weaving. In this behavior, the horse makes swaying movements with its body, shifting its weight from one leg to another. If a horse does this for a long time, it can put significant strain on the joints and tendons in the legs. Hooves can also wear down faster, and in severe cases, the horse's muscle structure can change. Box-walking is a third well-known stable vice. In this behavior, the horse paces back and forth in its stall, continually circling, without stopping or looking around and often without eating or drinking. When horses do this for a long time, they can become completely sweaty. This behavior is also very hard on joints, hooves, tendons, and muscles. In addition to the three most well-known stable vices of cribbing, weaving, and box-walking, there are also a number of other behaviors that can be classified as stable vices. Think, for example, of head shaking, teeth grinding, or running teeth along the bars of the stall.

How do stable vices develop?

Stable vices arise from stress. It often involves stress caused directly by individual stabling. Stable vices are mainly seen in horses kept in individual boxes, with little or no contact with other horses and little or no free movement. However, other aspects of management can also contribute to the development of stable vices.

The causes of stable vices include:

  • Lack of social contact
  • Lack of free movement
  • Poor feeding policy, poor or little roughage, standing with an empty stomach for too long
  • Pain from illness, stomach pain, or muscle pain
  • Other causes such as sleep deprivation, movement problems, incorrect training...

Various scientific studies have been conducted on stable vices and stress. It is clear from these studies that stress is higher when the need for social contact with other horses is not met. Stress in these studies is measured by determining the amount of cortisol - the stress hormone - in the blood or feces. It was found that horses kept in individual housing without contact with other horses experience significantly more stress. This leads to unpleasant behavior, also towards the owner, reduced trainability of a horse, a poorer immune system, and a lower ability to learn. Horses with a better housing system are easier to train, react more friendly to their trainer or caregiver, and show less stereotypical behavior.

Can stable vices be unlearned?

A stable vice cannot be unlearned. That is the bad news. However, you can improve the circumstances of a horse that has developed a stable vice. This will make the animal exhibit this stereotypical behavior less often and feel better. Start with social contact and free movement. Every horse needs this. Not every horse owner is in a position to arrange this optimally, but there are always things you can do.

Feed and supplements

It is also important to provide your horse with enough roughage. Unpacked hay of good quality is most suitable for this. Of course, in multiple portions per day or preferably unlimited. A horse that can fulfill its natural need to ‘graze’ and chew throughout the day experiences much less stress. Reducing the amount of concentrate feed can also be a way to improve digestion and control stomach pain. Many recreational horses only need a vitamin and mineral balancer in addition to roughage and do not need any other concentrate feed. In addition, the mineral magnesium can help reduce stress. Horses often have a deficiency of this mineral because it is low in our Dutch hay. Magnesium is of great importance for the nervous system. Finally, you can use a special supplement against stress. A concentrated herbal extract is very suitable for this purpose. Herbs such as chamomile, chasteberry, and passionflower have a stress-reducing effect and are doping-free. Also great if you want to compete with your horse!

Sources:

Kelly Yarnell, Carol Hall, Chris Royle, Susan L. Walker. Domesticated horses differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to isolated and group housing. Physiology & Behaviour, Volume 143, 2015, Pages 51-57, ISSN 0031-9384,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.02.040.

https://www.paardenarts.nl/kennisbank/stalondeugden/

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Stable vices arise from stress. A stressed horse will exhibit stereotypic behavior more often than a horse that is comfortable in its own skin. Behaviors such as weaving and crib biting are soothing and addictive for a horse. But as an owner, if your horse has a stable vice, you naturally want your horse to stop this behavior. Unlearning is actually not possible, due to the addictive nature of these behaviors. What can you do instead? Address the underlying reasons for the stress.

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