A horse cribbing on a wooden fence, note anti-cribbing collar intended to reduce this behavior and tension in neck muscles . Why do some horses eat wood fences and barns, destroy trees for the consumption of bark, gobble up dirt, feast upon feces of other horses, lap at urine puddles or prefer one bale of hay and not another? Farmers sometimes discover that their cows are chewing fence posts or barn wood. Cribbing: A horse with this habit will grasp a solid, wooden object (like a stable door or fence) with its top incisor teeth. Looking back on that makes me wonder, why do horses crib on wood. It is also very safe for those horses that chew on their fence. for 3 reasons. Nutritional Deficiency. We have had to put metal gates in the place so that they don't get out! Help put an end to your horse's unwanted chewing habits with No Chew™ chew deterrent. Add Metal Fence Caps . This does not mean the horse has deficiencies, assures Dr. Eleanor Kellon. However, if the family pet is chewing on valuable or potentially dangerous items, you must address the situation. You can do this by covering the wood with sturdy metal edging or use electric fence to keep the horse away from the fence rails altogether. Horse eating wood. For inside stalls, try Halt Cribbing. When a horse desires fiber, it heads to the fenceline when no hay is available,” she said. … Even if it's just a post or a fence a horse is tied to, or a wooden box stall, a horse may chew it instinctively, because of the smell and the texture, as he knows that's one way of getting what his body needs. When they can do it, they’re going to do it. And since you’re making this investment to protect your horses we wanted to take a moment to talk about ways to solve this common problem. Horses will chew anything wood that they can get their teeth around. 100% Upvoted. Horses often chew and rub on wood fencing, damaging the fence. On our way to school, we would pass a horse biting the top of a wood fence posts. Nearly 1,700 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do your horses chew on your fences, stalls, barn, etc.?" While painting and staining increase the life of the fence, they also add to upkeep because the fence will need to be repainted or restained from time to time. A good start is plenty of the coarser variety of hay rather than the really fine or green stuff. Well, it's at least one of the reasons, if we cross out boredom/stress or sometimes teeth problems. Many horses chew wood - especially when they're bored, so I expect donkeys are the same. Horses need fibre in their diet for proper digestive function. Never noticed until my boss told while at a job out of town. This is an excellent choice for posts. share. Horses typically chew on the wood parts of barns, fences, etc. RSS. Some horses just absolutely love to chew wood. Be sure the horse gets plenty of exercise, with time out on pasture if possible. Then he will flex his neck muscles and suck in a big gulp of air, often making a distinctive grunting sound. Why horses eat the bark off of trees can be explained by one of three reasons. Print × Expand. It's not unusual for horses with too much free time on their hands to start chewing wood. Understanding why horses chew wood and incorporating strategic management practices into your routine can help eliminate the problem. Just spray on all wood surfaces -- indoors and out, plastic and other non-metallic surfaces, such as feed troughs. Sort by. Treated wood is found in many places on a farm because over time it holds up to weather elements and prevents damage from insects remarkably well. This thread is archived. The top of my privacy fence is all chewed up. The reason they crib on wood is that it’s pliable and readily available. One of the most common stereotypies in horses is equine oral stereotypic behaviour, otherwise known as cribbing, wind sucking or crib-biting. Why do my horses eat the fence? A relatively new type of fencing, PVC vinyl post and rail fencing combines the good looks and visibility of traditional wood without many of wood’s drawbacks. Wooden post and rail and split rail have always been the traditional fences of choice for horse owners. Hot cinnamon taste helps stop horses from wood chewing and cribbing ; Won't stain white fences or discolor other painted surfaces* Easy-to-apply, clear liquid formula; Simply spray, roll or brush it on surfaces Probably they need more fibre in their diet. They may even catch them eating the bark off trees. Oak is the traditional horse fencing wood because of its durability. The post on the front porch has been chewed on at the top and bottom as well. If you do notice the behavior it may be an idea to get your veterinarian to look into it to rule out any health problems. The horse would be there every morning. Look for it at your equine supply store or on the internet. Typically when they chew on wood and lick/chew metal it is because they are in need of a salt and mineral block. Locust is another hardwood that is environmentally safe and does not require treating. Some horses when given access to lush spring grass will continue to want dry hay or will start to chew wood. Jul 6, 2015 - To the consternation of many a stable owner, some horses chew wood, like fences and trees. Researchers have documented an increased incidence of wood chewing in cold, wet weather (Jackson et al., 1994). Stops horses from chewing wood, blankets and bandages in most cases. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. After all, it has all day to move around the paddock and interact with the other horses. The fence post is the part of the fence that horses have the easiest time reaching. Here's what causes it and how to prevent it. Horse’s crib to release dopamine and endorphins, chemicals in the brain that reduces anxiety and increases pleasure. But let’s start with boredom. Wood chewing is thought to be caused by three things – boredom, a lack of minerals in the diet and the fact that your horse has acquired a taste for wood. Why do horses chew wood and how do you stop them from chewing? Wood chewing can be an annoying and destructive behavior in horses. It is thought that the drop in temperature causes horses to … Winter is the worst time for most horses and wood chewing, I expect some of it is due to the fact that there is no grass to graze so they "graze" on the fence! Horses are smart animals and they can "feel" the electricity when their noses are near the fence line;however, most horses take their chances when they get close to the More information #horses tend to chew on wooden fences; and that is why it's best to use electric fencing on pastures for horse security. Thus, wolmanized or treated wood may also be referred to as CCA treated wood. Halt chewing and cribbing habits with Chew Stop™ chew deterrent. Why Do Cows Chew Wood or Eat Bark off Trees? “Horses possess digestive tracts designed to process lots of fiber, but fencing materials offer the wrong kind, because it is virtually indigestible.” A dietary change might help alleviate the need to chew wood, according to Crandell. 5 comments. Dogs are natural-born chewers. These blocks can be purchased at your every day feed store and you can sit them flat on the ground near a water source or feeding location. I personally know a horse that will crib on cross ties if he can. Vinyl Post and Rail. Think of it as a bad habit, like someone that chews their nails. Horse Chewing Wood: Why Do Horses Crib? Horses usually don’t swallow wood although they do chew on it, and they would have to ingest large quantities of treated wood to be harmed by the chemicals it contains. Licking and chewing on metal would indicate the need for a salt block and chewing/eating wood would indicate the need for a mineral block. There a few main reasons why cows begin chewing on wood around your farm or eating tree bark. We have 2 Ex racehorses and 1 Palomino, about a month into them coming down to us they just started eating the wooden fence panels. As a result, wood chewing is simply something to do to pass the time. This is because lush grass is a poor source of structural carbohydrates (fibre). Boards damaged by weather, horses, or other means will need to be replaced. With this, horses will not choose to bite and chew those fences considering the very sensitivity of their mouth and tongue. Cows need several vital minerals to keep their bodies functioning properly. For horses that are cribbers or wood chewers, posts treated with copper naphthenate (Cu-nap) are the safest if horses actually ingest the wood. Horses are more prone to wood chewing in cold, wet weather so even if your horse has never chewed on fences or trees it is a good idea to keep an eye on their behavior during winter. Update: she is not cribbing she is chewing on wood and sometimes she also eats wood chips off the ground... Update 2: she is recovering from lameness so i cant lunge her or ride her i can only trot for 5 mins every day. However, this method should be maintained and be done regularly especially during times when they have been already washed off by rain, and the bitter taste of the wood comes off naturally. When a horse cribs, he t ypically cribs all the time, and on anything he can reach. Its quite common at this time of year and even horses in a herd in a big paddock will eat wood. so ya she is hyper maybe thats why cus she started chewing like a month after going lame . The second reason is that something in the horse’s environment is a source of frustration. Determine why your horse chews before correcting his need to chew. Horses who are satiated with roughage are much less likely to chew wood. For outside wood fencing that will be painted, try nailing on 1-1/2" metal studwall track, and then paint it. 1. Wind sucking: The horse will suck in a big gulp of air without chewing on a wooden surface. Oak, locust, pine, spruce and hemlock are other options for wood horse fencing. When they confine their gnawing endeavors to approved toys, the behavior is harmless and adorable. First, the horse may be lacking something in their diet, usually as a vitamin or mineral, which they are finding in the wood. So why do horses still chew wood? Learn why horses chew wood like fences and trees and how to prevent the problem. save hide report. Horses do have a tendancy to want to rub on fences and if you wrap the entire fence from top to bottom instead of each individual board, they will bend and ruin it, not to mention tear or pull out whatever you are using to secure it (fencing staples i would suggest if you do go this route). Hunger is one obvious answer. by Kendra Helfter. They chew on sticks etc and even fence posts sometimes but you don't notice as much as when they are in a smaller area. It is treated with a combination of chromium, copper, and arsenic. Now, he might just do it for the reward of chewing itself, which can release natural endorphins (hormones from the morphine family). Now I don't mean they have just nibbled it, they have at some point completely made holes in the fence in large areas. If horses are not given enough fibre they will seek other sources of fibre. How can a horse be bored? Most wood fences are painted white or black, or are stained to help protect the wood from drying out and to look attractive. Eating wood. Author: Equisearch Updated: May 8, 2017 Original: Apr 30, 2006. The last, being an addiction of sorts, is the most difficult to remedy. best. The first reason is that often there is too much time left in the day between meals so that serious boredom occurs. Second, the horse may have developed a behavioral issue caused by boredom or frustration or, lastl the horse may simply have developed a taste for wood. They’ll defoliate shrubs and trees, munch down weeds that aren’t good for them and eat splinters of wood to satisfy their appetite. I believe you can thin it down a bit with linseed oil if necessary for brushing. Stereotypies are repetitive, unwavering behaviours that cease to obtain a goal and lack function. Why do horses chew the wooden fences? 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