Stereotypic behaviors in horses including crib-biting and weaving reflect poor welfare states and are largely preventable through appropriate management in early life.
Stereotypies in horses are the welfare equivalent of a warning light — they indicate that fundamental needs are chronically unmet. Prevention requires management from early life that prioritizes social contact, continuous forage access, and adequate daily turnout. Welfare-positive management of horses that already have stereotypies focuses on improving underlying conditions and avoiding devices that prevent expression without addressing cause. Research shows stereotypic horses have altered brain dopamine pathways, suggesting these are genuine neurological adaptations to chronic stress rather than simple habits.