Equine stereotypies — weaving, crib-biting, wind-sucking, and stall walking — develop in response to inadequate management and are welfare indicators. Understanding their causes informs prevention and compassionate management.
Stereotypies in horses are welfare indicators that reflect past or present management deficits. They develop when horses are deprived of social contact, movement, and forage — conditions common in conventional stable management. Once established in neural circuits, they cannot be eliminated and should be managed compassionately rather than suppressed. Anti-crib devices and weaving bars prevent the behavior but do not address the underlying need — they add frustration to an animal already expressing frustration. Prevention through appropriate management from foalhood is far preferable to management of established stereotypies. Horses with established stereotypies deserve environments that allow them to perform the behavior safely.