Stereotypic behaviors—cribbing, weaving, stall walking—are repetitive, seemingly purposeless actions that indicate stress or unmet needs. Understanding these behaviors helps prevent and manage them.
What Are Stereotypies?
Stereotypic behaviors develop when horses can’t express natural behaviors. Confined horses without adequate movement, forage access, or social contact develop coping mechanisms that become ingrained habits.
Common Stereotypies
Cribbing (Crib-biting)
The horse grabs an object with their teeth, arches the neck, and gulps air with a characteristic grunting sound. Once thought to cause colic, research shows the behavior likely develops as stress relief. It may relate to endorphin release.
Weaving
The horse shifts weight side to side, often swinging head and neck rhythmically. Usually occurs at stall doors. Related to desire for movement and social contact.
Stall Walking
Continuous pacing a set path in the stall. Indicates unmet need for movement and mental stimulation.
Wood Chewing
Different from cribbing—the horse actually chews and eats wood. May indicate fiber deficiency or boredom.
Prevention
Prevention is far easier than treatment:
- Maximize turnout time
- Provide continuous forage access (slow feeders)
- Ensure social contact with other horses
- Vary routines and provide enrichment
- Choose facilities prioritizing horse welfare
Management
Once established, stereotypies rarely disappear entirely, but severity can be reduced:
- Address underlying needs (more turnout, forage, companionship)
- Anti-cribbing collars reduce cribbing but don’t address the cause
- Never punish—it increases stress
- Consider consultation with veterinary behaviorist
For more on recognizing stress signals, see our body language guide.
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