The Horse That Won't Be Tied: A Case of Equine Stereotypy

Likely causes:

1. Environmental stressors:

   • Limited turnout (2 hours) and small paddock restrict natural grazing and movement.
   • Stabling next to a mare in estrus may cause frustration and stress.
   • High-grain diet may lead to gastric ulcers, which are associated with cribbing.
   • Anticipation of feeding (before feeding times) suggests a learned behavior reinforced by feeding.

2. Gastric ulcers: Weight loss despite adequate feed is a red flag. Cribbing is linked to gastric ulcers; the horse may crib to relieve pain.

3. Stereotypy: Cribbing and weaving are stereotypies, often arising from frustration and confinement. Once established, they become habit and are difficult to eliminate.

4. Social isolation: Although stabled with others, limited social interaction and lack of foraging opportunities contribute.

Diagnosis:

• Physical exam: Including dental exam and body condition score.
• Gastroscopy: To rule out gastric ulcers.
• Diet analysis: Evaluate grain-to-forage ratio.
• Behavioral observation: Record frequency and context of cribbing/weaving.
• Environmental audit: Assess turnout, social grouping, feeding schedule.

Addressing causes:

• Increase turnout: Aim for at least 6-8 hours daily on pasture with other horses.
• Diet modification: Reduce grain, increase forage (hay/pasture), consider adding alfalfa or a gastric buffer.
• Treat ulcers if present: Omeprazole.
• Social grouping: Allow safe social contact; consider moving away from the mare.
• Feeding schedule: More frequent small meals or slow feeders to reduce anticipation.
• Environmental enrichment: Toys, scratching posts, etc.
• Medication: If behavior is severe, consider SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine) but not first-line; address environment first.

Note: Cribbing collars may cause discomfort and are not recommended; they do not address underlying cause.

Prognosis:

• Stereotypies are often lifelong, but frequency can be reduced with environmental changes. Complete elimination is unlikely, especially in 3 months.
• Performance may not be significantly affected if the horse is healthy and comfortable; however, cribbing can cause wear on teeth and weight loss.
• Realistic goal: reduce cribbing/weaving by 50% and improve weight and welfare within 3 months.

Management plan:

1. Immediate changes:

   • Increase turnout to 6+ hours daily on pasture with compatible horses.
   • Switch to a high-forage diet, reduce grain; use slow-feed hay nets.
   • Treat gastric ulcers if present (omeprazole for 4 weeks).
   • Move to a stall not adjacent to the mare in estrus.
   • Provide multiple small meals or free-choice hay to reduce pre-feeding anticipation.

2. Behavioral enrichment:

   • Stall toys (e.g., Likit, hanging apples) to redirect oral behavior.
   • Mirror may help if horse is socially isolated, but not if already has company.
   • Increase exercise: daily riding or lunging.

3. Medication:

   • Consider fluoxetine (0.5-1 mg/kg PO q24h) if environmental changes insufficient, but off-label and may take weeks.
   • Avoid acepromazine (may worsen stereotypy).

4. Monitoring:

   • Keep a diary of cribbing frequency and weight.
   • Recheck gastroscopy if no improvement.

5. Competition preparation:

   • Focus on fitness and training; manage stress at shows with turnout and forage.
   • Consider withdrawing if welfare compromised.

Welfare and ethics:

• The horse's welfare is compromised by confinement and possible ulcers. The owner has a duty to provide for natural behaviors.
• Cribbing collars are aversive and may cause pain; not recommended.
• If the owner cannot provide adequate turnout, rehoming may be in the horse's best interest.
• The veterinarian should advocate for the horse's welfare and educate the owner on the importance of environmental enrichment.

Conclusion: With aggressive environmental modification, the horse's welfare and behavior can improve, but the owner must be committed to long-term changes. Competition may still be possible if the horse is comfortable.