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Tip! In some societies, horses are a source of food, both meat and milk; in others it is taboo to consume them. Horses may develop vices for a number of reasons, but many learn them out of boredom. An Equine vice is a bad habit a horse has developed. Some vices are serious and can affect the horse's health while most are relatively harmless. Most vices can go ignored, you might not even notice them, while others should be treated and stopped. Depending on how severe the vice, there may be little that you can do other than try to make life more comfortable for the horse.
Here are the three common equine vices that you might encounter.
Weaving
This is where the horse moves from side to side on their front legs in a swaying motion. They may do this any time because they have nothing better to do or because they are required stand still. You most commonly see this weaving when the horse is standing in its stall or is tethered. Many experts believe that this action releases endorphins that cause a "high" of sorts.
The best way to prevent weaving is to keep the horse busy - either eating hay or out running around in the pasture. This keeps the horse occupied and stops it having to sway to keep itself busy.
Tip! Almost all breeds of horses can, at least in theory, carry humans on their backs or be harnessed to pull objects such as carts or plows.
Cribbing and Wind Sucking
In most stables you will find a cribber. These horses bite onto just about anything they can get their teeth around, such as stall door or fence post and then suck in and swallow air. This air can then enter the digestive system where it can create air pockets. Many of these horses will develop severe gas colic because the horse is unable to release the gas. The air can also interfere with correct digestion. It is thought that these horses do this action because they get an endorphin that brings pleasure. Most horses can be treated with the fitting of an external cribbing collar that prevents the sucking action. There is also surgery and special drugs available for extreme cases.
Tip! Yearling: a horse of either sex that is between one and two years old.
Door and Wall Kicking
This is a behavior that occurs most frequently at feeding time. Horses can become very jealous and will kick at the walls of their neighbor's stall. They may also kick the walls from boredom or just for fun. Some horses may kick hard enough that they break the bones in their ankles. These horses are also at a high risk for lameness and unsoundness issues. Prevent boredom by giving them toys to play with or letting them out in the paddock for regular runs.
Tip! Horses have long been among the most economically important domesticated animals.
Happy Horsing
Jo Thompson
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