A horse vice is a bad habit and while most are relatively harmless others can have a detrimental affect on your horse’s life. Many vices can go ignored, while others need to be treated and stopped. We believe horses develop vices for many reasons, but the main reasons seem to be boredom. Of the many equine vices documented, here are the three most common.

Wall Kicking or Door Kicking

This is most often observed at feeding time. Your horse can become very possessive of it’s food and kick at the walls of their neighbor’s stall. It can also occur due to boredom. I once had a horse that would kick the ‘you know what’ out of the wall of the truck whenever we stopped when traveling. He was fine while the truck was moving, but whenever we stopped he would start – made stopping for fuel interesting and quick.

However, it often occurs in horses that are stalled for long periods. And then may begin kicking 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. So if your horse is bored, let him out of his stall for regular paddock time or find some toys for him to play with.

Cribbing and Wind Sucking

In just about every stable 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. They 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 proper digestion. It is believe that these horses do this action because they get an endorphin rush that causes a “high” of sorts. Most horses are treated with a cribbing collar that prevents the sucking action. There is also surgery and special drugs available as well.

Weaving

These horses sway from side to side on their front legs. They may do this anywhere where they have to stand still or because they have nothing better to do and are bored. You commonly see this action when the horse is tied or standing in it’s stall. Many veterinarians believe that this action also releases endorphins that bring some sort of pleasure to the horse. The best way to prevent weaving is to keep the horse busy munching on hay or in a pasture. This keeps the horse from having to move to occupy itself.

Happy Horsing