Horses chew on wood due to a variety of reasons, including dietary deficiencies, boredom, or discomfort. The behavior, commonly referred to as “wood chewing” or “cribbing,” is not only a potential damage to your stables or fences, but also poses health concerns for the animal itself.
Nutritional Reasons for Wood Chewing
A primary reason horses may chew on wood is a lack of sufficient nutrients or fiber in their diet. Horses are grazing animals, designed to eat a diet high in fiber provided by grasses and other forage. If horses are not provided with enough forage, they may turn to unconventional sources such as wood to fulfill their dietary needs.
Dietary deficiencies, particularly in minerals like sodium and potassium, can also lead to wood chewing. A study published in the ‘Journal of Animal Science’ (Dougherty et al., 1985) found that horses supplemented with salt reduced their wood chewing behavior.
| Deficient Mineral | Effect on Horse Behavior |
|---|---|
| Sodium | Increased wood chewing |
| Potassium | Increased wood chewing |
| Phosphorus | Possible increase in wood chewing |
Behavioral and Environmental Factors
Boredom and lack of stimulation are major behavioral reasons for wood chewing in horses. Horses are inherently active and social animals, spending a majority of their day grazing and interacting with others in their herd. If they are confined to a stable or small space without sufficient interaction, they may resort to wood chewing out of boredom or stress.
Wood chewing can also be classified as a stereotypy, which is an abnormal, repetitive behavior common in animals subjected to an impoverished environment.
Oral Discomfort and Medical Conditions
Horses can experience oral discomfort from a variety of reasons including teething, dental issues, or gastric ulcers, which may result in wood chewing. Younger horses who are teething might gnaw at wood to alleviate the discomfort.
Gastric ulcers are also a potential cause. A horse suffering from gastric ulcers might chew on wood to produce more saliva, which helps neutralize the stomach acid and ease their discomfort.
Management and Prevention
Understanding the reasons behind wood chewing can help in managing and preventing it. Here are a few strategies:
- Provide sufficient forage: Offer a diet high in fiber to mimic a horse’s natural grazing behavior.
- Correct any nutritional deficiencies: Regular blood tests and nutritional consultation can ensure a horse’s dietary needs are being met.
- Provide adequate exercise and socialization: Allow your horses plenty of time outdoors and interaction with other horses to prevent boredom and stress.
- Regular dental check-ups: Regular dental examinations can alleviate oral discomfort that might lead to wood chewing.
- Treat medical conditions: If your horse is diagnosed with gastric ulcers or any other medical condition associated with wood chewing, follow the prescribed treatment thoroughly.
While these strategies might not completely eliminate wood chewing, with proper care and attention, they can significantly reduce the behavior and improve the horse’s overall wellbeing.
Types of Wood Chewing Deterrents
Effective management includes using deterrents to discourage horses from chewing on wood. Here are some common types of wood chewing deterrents and their benefits:
- Physical barrier: Installing a wire mesh or electrified tape around the wooden boundaries acts as a physical barrier and prevents the horse from being able to chew on the wood directly.
- Anti-chewing coatings: Various anti-chewing sprays, paints, or ointments can be applied to the wood surfaces. These typically have a bitter taste, making the wood unpalatable for the horse.
| Deterrent Type | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Physical barrier | Prevents direct contact with wood |
| Anti-chewing coatings | Renders wood unpalatable |
Factors to Consider When Selecting Deterrents
When selecting deterrents, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Safety and Ingestion: Choose deterrents that are safe for horses and do not pose any risk if ingested.
- Cost-effectiveness: Implementing deterrents should not incur excessive costs, making it essential to choose cost-effective methods.
- Ease of installation and maintenance: Deterrents should be convenient to install and maintain in the long term.
Common Misconceptions About Wood Chewing and Cribbing
Cribbing and wood chewing are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to clarify the differences between the two behaviors.
- Wood Chewing: This involves the horse chewing and ingesting pieces of wood, such as fences or stall walls, and is linked to dietary deficiencies, boredom, or discomfort.
- Cribbing: This is a specific type of stereotypy that involves the horse biting onto a solid object – often made of wood – and taking in air, swallowing, and producing a distinctive grunting noise. Cribbing is not primarily associated with dietary deficiencies, as it does not involve actual ingestion of the wood, and is more strongly linked to stress and boredom.
Understanding the differences between these behaviors is crucial in identifying the appropriate responses and management strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wood Chewing in Horses
What materials might my horse start chewing on if not wood?
A: Horses may resort to chewing on other materials such as plastic fencing, rubber mats, or even metal gates if wood is not available. However, this could potentially lead to further health risks, as these materials may be toxic or cause damage to their teeth and digestive system.
Is there any breed predisposition to wood chewing?
A: While wood chewing can be seen in horses of any breed, certain breeds like Thoroughbreds may be more susceptible due to their high-strung temperament, leading them to be more prone to stress and boredom-related behaviors like wood chewing.
How do I know if my horse is getting enough nutrients?
A: Regular blood tests, fecal exams, and consultations with an equine nutritionist can help assess whether your horse is receiving all the necessary nutrients from its diet. Ensuring your horse has access to a balanced diet should be the starting point to address nutritional deficiencies that may cause wood chewing.
What role does excessive energy play in wood chewing?
A: Yes, horses that have high-energy levels and receive insufficient exercise may channel their excess energy into wood chewing. Providing these horses with a balanced exercise routine and suitable energy outlets can help alleviate the wood chewing behavior.
Can horses’ teeth be damaged by wood chewing?
A: Wood chewing can indeed cause damage to a horse’s teeth, leading to sharp edges, uneven wear, or broken teeth. In turn, this may lead to difficulty while eating and further oral discomfort. Schedule regular dental examinations with an equine dentist to address any potential dental concerns.
Will using a cribbing collar stop wood chewing?
A: Cribbing collars are designed to restrict the horse’s neck muscles and prevent the specific behavior of cribbing, which is different from wood chewing. Cribbing collars may have limited or no effect in reducing wood chewing behavior.
Will muzzles help prevent wood chewing?
A: Muzzles can be an effective way to prevent wood chewing, but they should be used with caution. Prolonged use of muzzles can restrict a horse’s ability to graze and may cause stress or anxiety. Muzzles should only be used for short periods under supervision, and any signs of discomfort should be closely monitored.
How do I train my horse not to chew on wood?
A: While training may not eliminate wood chewing entirely, positive reinforcement methods may be used to discourage the behavior. Make sure to address the underlying causes of wood chewing, such as dietary deficiencies or boredom, and then use redirection and rewards to encourage alternative behaviors that do not involve wood chewing.
Can surrounding noises contribute to wood chewing?
A: Unpredictable or loud noises can be a source of stress for horses, potentially causing an increase in wood chewing behavior. Ensuring a calm and quiet environment for your horse may help alleviate stress-related wood chewing in some cases.
Should I be concerned if my horse only chews on wood occasionally?
A: Occasional wood chewing may be a natural exploratory behavior in horses and might not indicate an underlying problem. However, it is essential to monitor the frequency and ensure that the behavior does not escalate, as ongoing wood chewing could be an indication of a larger issue like dietary deficiencies or stress, which should be addressed promptly.
