Companion Animals

Horse Wind Sucking Stereotypy and Welfare

Wind sucking and crib biting are oral stereotypies in horses linked to housing management and gastrointestinal health.

Key Facts

Wind sucking involves swallowing air by pressing the throat against a fixed surface
Crib biting uses fixed objects to create the same movement and air swallowing
Both behaviours are associated with early weaning, reduced forage access and stabling
Once established, stereotypies are difficult to eliminate and anti-crib collars suppress without treating the cause
Wind sucking increases risk of colic from gas accumulation in some studies

Welfare Considerations

Oral stereotypies are indicators of chronic frustration and welfare compromise arising from management practices that conflict with horses' evolved foraging behaviour. The most humane response is to address underlying causes through increased forage provision, social contact and turnout rather than suppressing the behaviour with anti-crib devices.

What You Can Do

Ensure horses have access to ad libitum forage to minimise frustration from hunger
Maximise turnout time and social contact to reduce housing-associated stereotypies
Never punish or use anti-crib collars as the sole response to stereotypy
Consult an IAABC-certified equine behaviourist if stereotypies are persistent