STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIORS

Chomp! Incisors lock onto the edge of the board, and the horse arches his neck as he inhales. You’ve caught a cribber in the act. This horse is practicing what is known as a stereotypic behavior. Behaviors such as cribbing, weaving, and stall-walking might appear as nuisances, but behaviorists estimate they’re seen in 10-20% of the population of domestic horses. Such behaviors can become problems, as they can affect a horse’s well-being and his serviceability as an equine athlete. They even can render him unfit for use. Continue reading…