12/04/2026
Cribbing in Horses 🐴
Cribbing is often misunderstood and labelled as a “vice” however, it is a coping behaviour, not a behavioural fault. Horses displaying this behaviour require understanding and appropriate management.
Key management considerations:
• Allow horses to crib and provide a suitable surface to reduce excessive wear on incisor teeth.
(Cribbing itself does not directly cause colic; however, associated changes in eating behaviour may influence risk.)
• Review and adapt their lifestyle to be as horse-friendly as possible prioritising forage, social interaction, and turnout.
• Provide ad lib forage and maximise turnout where possible.
• Enrich the stable environment if stabling is required. This can include offering a variety of forages and multiple feeding stations to encourage natural behaviours.
• Avoid excessive treats and keep bucket feeds to a minimum, as anticipation of feeding can increase cribbing behaviour.
• Feed a high-fibre, low-starch, and low-sugar diet. Consider gastric support supplements or antacids, as some evidence suggests these may help reduce cribbing in certain horses.
Education is key cribbing is not simply a “bad habit”, but a sign that the horse’s needs may not be fully met.
Please share to help improve understanding and support horses displaying this behaviour 💛
