Efficacy and effects of various anti‐crib devices on behaviour and physiology of crib‐biting horses

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Crib‐biting is a common oral stereotypy. Although most treatments involve prevention, the efficacy of various anti‐crib devices, including surgically implanted gingival rings, has thus far not been empirically tested. OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate the effect that 2 anti‐crib collars, muzzle and gingival rings have on crib‐biting, other maintenance behaviours, and cortisol levels in established crib‐biting horses. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised, crossover clinical trial. METHODS: In Experiment I, 2 anti‐crib collars and a muzzle were used on 8 established crib‐biting horses; horses wore each of 3 devices for 7 days, with a 7‐day device‐free period between treatments. Horses were video recorded for 24 h at least 3 times each week prior to any device placement, and always the day after a device was removed. In Experiment II, gingival rings were used in 6 established crib‐biting horses; horses were video recorded for 3 days prior to ring implantation and the day after surgery until the rings became ineffective. Plasma cortisol levels were assessed every day during Experiment II and on Days 1, 3 and 5 of each week during Experiment I. RESULTS: All devices significantly reduced crib‐biting compared with control periods. There was no significant difference in crib‐bite reduction amongst devices in Experiment I, or between pre‐device periods and the first day the device was removed. The only increase in plasma cortisol occurred on the day of surgery in Experiment II. CONCLUSIONS: Common anti‐crib devices are effective in reducing crib‐biting and significant distress was not evident from our findings. We did not find a post inhibitory rebound effect. Surgical rings were successful only temporarily and implantation was probably painful to the horses. Because stereotypies involve suboptimal environmental conditions, efforts should be made to improve husbandry factors previously shown to contribute to crib‐biting, and research into decreasing horses' motivation to crib‐bite should continue.