Why does a horse chew on the stall and what does it mean?

Crib-biting is often called a bad habit, but research suggests otherwise. It is a stereotypy that forms when a horse lacks natural grazing, movement, or social interaction. Therefore, the most important question is not "how to break the habit," but "what is this horse lacking."

What actually happens when a horse crib-bites

A crib-biting horse grips a hard surface with its front teeth, tenses its neck muscles, arches its head, and inhales air with a characteristic grunt. It is often believed that the horse swallows this air into its stomach, but X-ray studies have shown otherwise: the air enters the upper part of the esophagus and largely returns back out, rather than traveling to the stomach.

The habit is not rare. In a large survey of U.S. owners, crib-biting was identified in 4.4% of horses, while among Thoroughbreds it reached 13.3%. Studies of horses kept in stalls or tied up show similar figures.

Why horses start crib-biting

Weaning and concentrates

A four-year observational study of young horses showed that 10.5% of the foals began crib-biting, usually around 20 weeks of age. Feeding concentrated feed immediately after weaning was associated with a four times higher incidence of crib-biting. Weaning by locking a foal in a stall was riskier than weaning in a pasture.

Stomach and acid

A horse's stomach produces acid constantly, even when the horse is not eating. Saliva, which contains acid-buffering bicarbonate, is secreted only when chewing. In a pasture, a horse eats for 16 hours or more per day, but in a stall, when fed twice a day, it can go for long periods without feed. Intervals of more than 6 hours without feed are considered a risk factor for damage to the stomach lining.

In the study of young horses, the stomachs of crib-biting animals had more ulcers and inflammation than those of non-crib-biting horses. When a portion of them was given a diet with an acid-neutralizing supplement, the stomach condition improved or did not worsen in 11 out of 12 horses, and the frequency of crib-biting decreased more than in the control group. This does not mean that crib-biting is always a stomach issue, but it shows that the link between digestive discomfort and this behavior is real. If you suspect stomach ulcers, we have written more about this in our article on how to recognize a stomach ulcer in a horse.

Time in the stall and lack of social interaction

In wild or pasture environments, crib-biting is almost non-existent. The risk increases where a horse stands alone for long periods, sees few other horses, and has little to do. Boredom is not just a buzzword here: it is a real indicator of welfare.

What crib-biting means for health

• Teeth. Front teeth wear unevenly, which may eventually make grazing difficult.
• Colic. In a British survey, owners reported at least one episode of colic in 35.4% of crib-biting horses. An international study linked crib-biting to a significantly higher risk of a rare but very dangerous form of colic: entrapment of the small intestine in the epiploic foramen.
• Body condition. Some crib-biting horses have a harder time maintaining weight because they spend a lot of time crib-biting instead of eating feed.

If a horse starts crib-biting suddenly as an adult, it is worth consulting a veterinarian. A sudden change in behavior often has a physical cause.

How to help your horse daily

• Extend eating time. More frequent hay portions and slow-feeder hay nets ensure that long hours do not pass without feed.
• Reduce concentrates. Where possible, provide energy through forage and oil rather than starch.
• More pasture and company. Even a few extra hours in a paddock with another horse changes the daily rhythm.
• Give them something to do. Licking and chewing extend saliva production time and keep the horse occupied. A lick with kaolinite clay or a treat on a rope in the stall works well for this.
• Support digestion. The GASTRO VIP supplement designed for daily digestive care contributes to maintaining normal digestion, but does not replace hay and pasture.

What is better not to do

Many people try to simply forbid the crib-biting: they put on a special collar that presses on the neck, coat the stall edges with a bitter spray, or sometimes even operate on the horse. Crib-biting may decrease, but it doesn't make the horse feel any better. It bites because it feels bad or is bored, and the act of crib-biting provides comfort. By removing this outlet, the underlying cause remains.

Punishment is also not worthwhile. A horse does not crib-bite because of a "bad attitude."

If a horse has been crib-biting for a long time, it is unlikely to ever break the habit completely. The realistic goal is for it to bite less often and feel better.

This article is for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a veterinarian. HORSYD products are feed supplements, not medicines.