Cribbing and colic part 2

[walktheline]

I recently posted about my new horse, who has been lovely in every way expect for 3 mild colic episodes. He is a cribber and I suspect it is related to the colic because it seems to often happen right after he eats his grain, and that’s when the cribbing is most frequent. He will alternate between eating a few bites and cribbing. The overwhelming response was to get him scoped. I did, it was clean, and it my vet’s words was “definitely one of the healthier stomachs she has seen lately”

Today it happened again after a couple weeks of being fine, bringing the total now to 4 episodes in the less than 2 months he has been here. I’m feeling very defeated and at a loss. Considering muzzling him, originally was avoiding going that route because I didn’t want to stress him (as many on this forum have mentioned cribbing is essentially an addiction) but just letting him crib with the collar on doesn’t seem to be working.

I’m hoping maybe others will have ideas

[alpine1]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, it’s got to be extremely stressful (on both of you). I’ve never had a cribber, but I’ve often wondered what happens if a horse like this is turned out in a herd 24/7 where there’s nothing really to grab/crib on. Could that total change of environment reduce the stress that leads to the behavior/addiction?

[Bluey]

Watch him in turnout.
We had one that tried to crib on other horse’s necks, did until they got mad and ran her off.
Not all did, it became a problem.
She would crib on the top of a wooden fence post when we were feeding and forget to go eat.
We had to take her to an alfalfa flake so she would eat before all was gone.
I left after that, don’t know what else happened, she was a really nice sweet Princequillo daughter.

Sorry you are having colic problems, changing management around seems a sensible way to try to find a solution?

[stonesong]

If he mainly cribs after or while he eats, is he cribbing on his feed bucket? If so, it may help to feed him in a pan on the ground and take out the bucket so he can’t crib on it.

[NancyM]

My cribber only colics when fed alfalfa. It’s the alfalfa that makes her colic, not the cribbing. And yes, you automatically blame it on the cribbing. But there are other options. And it took me a long time to figure this out. I presume that it’s the protein levels in the alfalfa… but that’s only a guess. But I make sure that any “grain” she gets is also low protein.(It’s not grain actually, but beet pulp, an extruded pellet low protein to make it taste good enough to eat, and mineral mix). On grass hay, no colic episodes. And she cribs A LOT, and a strap does not stop her from cribbing, because she cribs from her chest, not her throat. Her cribbing muscle is on her chest. She’s 23 years old this year, and home bred. Unraced. A special flower. She’s been cribbing since she was 2 months old… started out in the field with her mom at her side, and with the company of other mares and foals in a small herd. Idyllic foalhood. She has an addictive personality, a micro manager, super intelligent (for a horse), intuitive to ride and train.

[fivestrideline]

If he mainly cribs at meals, you could put a cribbing collar or strap on just to feed.

[Inimitable]

The DARE Collar is a life changer. I have two that live in them pretty much permamently. I resisted a collar for a long time, but dealt with chronic gas colic. It wasn’t worth it. I have one gelding that cannot live without it. The other can get short breaks from it. They have both been scoped and treated for ulcers. It is what it is and the collars are just a part of them now.

[Posting_Trot]

It could be that the cribbing isn’t causing the colic, but instead is a reaction to the beginnings of the colic. In other words, the horse is beginning to feel the colic coming on, and he cribs (which I think releases endorphins) to stem the pain.

ETA:
I found this recent article from Equus magazine about cribbing, and it discusses connections between cribbing and colic.

https://equusmagazine.com/behavior/thinking-about-cribbing

[atr]

I had one like this a few years ago. In desperation I pulled all soy from his diet. He never colicked again and very rarely cribbed after that.

[walktheline]

Thank you all for your responses. He seemed better for a little while this morning, then started to become very painful so we took him to the clinic. His colon was displaced. Doctor recommended surgery, I am waiting now on the call to hear how it went. Prayers appreciated. I’m gutted.

[nutmeg]

Hang in there, we are pulling for you. I hope the surgery is not too invasive and he is up again swiftly. I have looked after some long-time cribbers that went til their 30s so all is not lost.

[GraceLikeRain]

Sending prayers and jingles. I’m so sorry. Any update?

[starsandsun]

Sending all the best positive energy for your boy.

[walktheline]

No update yet, I am getting worried because the doctor said barring any complications the surgery should only take an hour and it’s been 3, haven’t heard anything yet.

What has me sick is that I still don’t know what the problem is or how to manage it. If he keeps going this way I can’t see how he’ll survive another year. The doctor does not think this was caused by cribbing.

[Scribbler]

I would cut out the grain if a horse is colicking regularly.

Though feeding the protocol after surgery might be different.

[endlessclimb]

Surgery may be an hour but recovery can take awhile. They may be waiting until he’s stable.

Jingles for you and your boy.

[fivestrideline]

Jingles like crazy for y’all! They’re probably just waiting until he’s out of anesthesia and stable before chatting with you.

@walktheline

The doctor does not think this was caused by cribbing.

I’d likely agree. You could have a grain or hay issue going on - soy or alfalfa or something. Hopefully the vet will have some ideas for you.

[Montanas_Girl]

@walktheline

His colon was displaced.

I’m very sorry to hear that he has required surgery. I’m completely confused, though, why the vet doesn’t think his colic is related to the cribbing. Displacement (nephrosplenic entrapment) colic is HIGHLY correlated with cribbing.

Given his history, I’d do everything I could to get him into an environment that makes cribbing virtually impossible. 24/7 turnout in a fully electric field, including over the gates, for starters. All feed pans on the ground only, and low/shallow waterers.

[walktheline]

Thank you everyone for your prayers. He came through the surgery ok. Doctor said he was twisted and displaced but surgery itself went smoothly. I am still worried sick though, because I don’t know how to prevent it from happening again, and if we follow the current pattern, it will.

[walktheline]

You may be getting it mixed up with Epiploic foramen entrapment. That is the only type of colic that is firmly linked to cribbing, at least according to the vets I’ve spoken to.