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Equine veterinary journal2009; 41(5); 455-458; doi: 10.2746/042516409x372584

Crib-biting in US horses: breed predispositions and owner perceptions of aetiology.

Abstract: Crib-biting is an equine stereotype that may result in diseases such as colic. Certain breeds and management factors have been associated. Objective: To determine: breed prevalence of crib-biting in US horses; the likelihood that one horse learns to crib-bite from another; and owner perceptions of causal factors. Methods: An initial postal survey queried the number and breed of crib-biting horses and if a horse began after being exposed to a horse with this habit. In a follow-up survey, a volunteer subset of owners was asked the number of affected and nonaffected horses of each breed and the extent of conspecific contact. The likelihood of crib-biting given breed and extent of contact was quantified using odds ratio (OR) and significance of the association was assessed using the Chi-squared test. Results: Overall prevalence was 4.4%. Thoroughbreds were the breed most affected (133%). Approximately half of owners believed environmental factors predominantly cause the condition (54.4%) and crib-biting is learned by observation (48.8%). However, only 1.0% of horses became affected after being exposed to a crib-biter. The majority (86%) of horses was turned out in the same pasture with other horses and extent of contact with conspecifics was not statistically related to risk. Conclusions: This is the first study to report breed prevalence for crib-biting in US horses. Thoroughbreds were the breed more likely to be affected. More owners believed either environmental conditions were a predominant cause or a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to the behaviour. Only a small number of horses reportedly began to crib-bite after being exposed to an affected individual, but approximately half of owners considered it to be a learned behaviour; most owners did not isolate affected horses. Conclusions: Genetic predisposition, not just intensive management conditions and surroundings, may be a factor in the high crib-biting prevalence in some breeds, and warrants further investigation. Little evidence exists to suggest horses learn the behaviour from other horses, and isolation may cause unnecessary stress.
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Publication Date: 2009-08-01 PubMed ID: 19642405DOI: 10.2746/042516409x372584Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigates crib-biting in horses in the United States, finding that thoroughbreds are the most affected breed. The study also examines the role of environmental and genetic factors in this behavior and establishes that crib-biting is unlikely to be learned from other horses.

Objective and Methodology

  • The research aimed to determine the prevalence of crib-biting among different breeds of horses in the US, understand whether crib-biting can be learned through contact with affected horses, and explore horse owners’ perceptions of the causes of this behavior.
  • The researchers used an initial postal survey to collect data about the number and breeds of horses prone to crib-biting and assess whether exposure to crib-biting horses led to others adopting this habit.
  • In the follow-up phase, a subset of horse owners volunteered information on the number of affected and non-affected horses in their care, detailing the extent of their interactions.
  • The team then used the odds ratio (OR) and the Chi-squared test to establish the correlation between the breed of the horse, the level of contact, and the occurrence of crib-biting.

Results and Conclusions

  • The overall prevalence of crib-biting was found to be 4.4%. Among breeds, thoroughbreds were the most affected, with a prevalence rate of 133%.
  • Approximately half of the owners participating in the study believed that environmental factors were a primary cause of crib-biting (54.4%) and that the behavior can be learned by observation (48.8%).
  • However, only 1.0% of horses reportedly began crib-biting after being exposed to an affected horse, indicating that the behavior is unlikely to be learned through observation.
  • The majority of horses (86%) had regular contact with other horses, but the degree of contact was found not to be statistically related to the risk of crib-biting.
  • This evidence suggests genetic predisposition and intensive care conditions might play a role in the prevalence of crib-biting in some breeds. Therefore, these factors require further investigation.
  • The research debunks the idea that horses learn crib-biting from each other. Thus, isolating affected horses might cause undue stress without effectively controlling the behaviour.

Cite This Article

APA
Albright JD, Mohammed HO, Heleski CR, Wickens CL, Houpt KA. (2009). Crib-biting in US horses: breed predispositions and owner perceptions of aetiology. Equine Vet J, 41(5), 455-458. https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409x372584

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 5
Pages: 455-458

Researcher Affiliations

Albright, J D
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Mohammed, H O
    Heleski, C R
      Wickens, C L
        Houpt, K A

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Data Collection
          • Horses / genetics
          • Horses / physiology
          • Stereotyped Behavior / physiology
          • Surveys and Questionnaires
          • United States

          Citations

          This article has been cited 13 times.
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