Stereotypic behaviors in horses — crib-biting, weaving, box-walking — are indicators of poor welfare and are not simply "bad habits." Understanding their origins guides compassionate management approaches.
Stereotypic behaviors are the visible evidence of welfare failure — they develop because horses' behavioral needs are not being met. The domestic horse's evolved need for continuous forage, social contact, and movement conflicts directly with the management practices common in performance horse keeping: stabling for 23 hours daily, intermittent feeding, and social isolation. Restricting stereotypies with physical devices prevents the behavior but not the underlying frustration, which may manifest in other ways including aggression and increased reactivity. Management changes that address root causes — more forage, more movement, more social contact — reduce stereotypy frequency and improve the underlying welfare state that drove their development.