Cribbing Collar & Turn Out

chalsall · 11-06-2009, 02:42 PM

I need some advice...

I have an OTTB with a fairly serious cribbing habit.

There are 5 horses, a donkey and 4 cows turned out on 25 acres of pasture with free access to a paddock area where water & a round bale are always available.

We thought that being on 24/7 turn out would reduce the frequency/regularity of his cribbing obsession.

During the summer months, when the pasture was lush and green - my "kids" spent 90% of thier time OUTSIDE of the paddock area. And the cribbing wasn't such a big issue. However, now that the grass is grayish brown and rather lack luster they are spending about 70% of thier time INSIDE the paddock area, munching hay and hanging out.

It is INSIDE the paddock where my sweet Rodney insists on cribbing. The fence in this area has gone from being in good condition to looking like we are serious beaver farmers in about 3 months.

I wouldn't hesitate to try the miracle collar on him IF they were all contained in the paddock area ONLY but, because they still have free access to the pasture (with trees) - I'm a little worried about turning him out with the collar. (It isn't really that practical to keep all those animals contained in the 1 acre paddock area for more than 24 hours or so and I couldn't seperate him from his brothers & sisters - he'd crib himself into hysterics!)

I'm really torn about what to do. His cribbing is increasing, the fences are falling into disprepair and he's a bit of a hard keeper as it is so, I need him using his mouth & teeth for eating HAY not, obsessively cribbing...

What would you do? What are the risks associated with the Miracle Collar & turn out? Can he get caught on something? If he did - would it breakaway?

For good measure - here's a picture of him... (Just to make sure you have all the details before you give your advice!!!) oh - and yes, he's about to crib in this picture!!!!

enigma · 11-06-2009, 06:33 PM

I wouldn't turn out with one - but that's just me.

Sirita_88 · 11-06-2009, 06:42 PM

My cirbber was turned out 24/7 with one, but there weren't too many trees in the pasture. But really it was the lesser of the two evils because every time I tried to take it off he colicked...

What if you got an old one and maybe put a cut or two in the leather so that it has an easier point to break? Breakaway halters have a thin piece of leather, why not weaken the leather on the miracle collar? Worth a shot, problem is if he figures out it's easy to get off you may spend lots of $$$ replacing them. But he may never know you weakened it...

justine604 · 11-06-2009, 06:45 PM

im leery of it but for me to even consider it, the crown must be leather.
maybe try putting plastic cribbing caps on the tops of the fences?

skippersmom · 11-07-2009, 09:20 PM

I also have a cribber and have done a lot of research. Besides the fact that there is a risk that the collar gets hung on something, the greatest risk is related to suffocation if the horse begins running in the pasture. There is a risk of the collar limiting the amount of oxygen the horse receives in that situation. They are meant to be used in the stall setting only. Have you considered running a strand of electric fencing? Good luck! Cribbers are difficult at times but I wouldn't trade mine for anything

singing tree · 11-08-2009, 06:38 PM

I too, vote electric. It is an economical way to keep horses away from fences. If it cannot be electrified, you can put the tough type of corners that can be purchased at most lumber yards on your wood. Though cribbers can be lovebugs, they are a pain sometimes.

I would not put mine out with a collar on either...

Horselady44 · 11-08-2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singing tree

I too, vote electric. It is an economical way to keep horses away from fences. If it cannot be electrified, you can put the tough type of corners that can be purchased at most lumber yards on your wood. Though cribbers can be lovebugs, they are a pain sometimes.

I would not put mine out with a collar on either...

I also agree

chalsall · 11-09-2009, 11:55 AM

I thought that turnout with a collar was a bad idea too - that's why I had to ask! If we didn't have all the trees, I'd probably consider it but it just seems too risky with the possibility of him getting hung up.

I think electric is the answer too. Thanks for the insight.

EquineAlberta · 11-09-2009, 12:16 PM

THe collar may stop the windsucking, but the horse may still chew the wood out of boredom, so a collar may not stop the distruction.

Have you tried something like Chew stop to paint on the favoured cribbing spots?

Karen

FlyinSoLow · 11-09-2009, 12:28 PM

I would try a muzzle WITH the best safty turnout halter you can find

BUT if you can afford it electric is the way to go, with the exception that usually a cribber will find ANYTHING to crib on, so you would have to be sure there is nothing else he can find.

klattekm · 11-09-2009, 01:15 PM

I wouldn't turn out with one. I used to with my ottb, but looking back it was super dangerous (which was why I eventually took it off of him, in addition to the fact that he would get sores, even with the fleece covers)

The miracle collars are made of leather and can break like all leather. I would agree with the muzzle or the electric. They do claim make them to prevent suffocation (the company says you can ride in them etc), but I always took it off whenever he was going to be exercised.

chalsall · 11-09-2009, 05:00 PM

He doesn't really have a favorite cribbing spot - he'll use any where. He even does it on the metal round bale feeder. Eats a few bites, stops to crib, eats a few more - just a continuos cycle.

The electric fence will help the wood fences somewhat but, it certainly won't stop the cribbing. He'll find somewhere else to do it.

I haven't actually seen him eating the wood but, the fences are suffering none the less.

He will be going to a boarding facility in January to get started under saddle and he'll (likely) stay there as long as he stands up to showing and the paddocks at the barn are tree-less so, I can definitely have him wear the miracle collar to save the fences there.

Silly horse! But, what would we do all day if we didn't have silly horses????

Rafflesgirl · 11-09-2009, 11:38 PM

My daughters new mare that we got this past spring is also a cribber (well wind sucker actually since she doesn't chew) We have her out almost 24/7 but our field is small only about 1 1/2 acre and so I do turn her out with the collar but since starting to use the collar the behavior has drastically improved. In fact I haven't seen her crib in quite a while. If I had a large area where I couldn't supervise her closely I wouldn't turn her out with it. I would be too worried she would get it hung on something. BUT we are getting ready to put a strand of electric around the top of our board fence to keep her from cribbing on that, and to keep her (and my other 2 horses ) from pushing up against them. Part of the pasture is already electric fenced thankfully.

PaintsQH · 11-11-2009, 02:27 PM

My former OTT QH cribbed when I got him. I wasn't told of the habit, had to find out the hard way when I saw him doing it. I had him in a hot wire paddock, the stall was plywood and hotwire was put on the places I thought he might try to crib on. He didnt wear a collar for over a year. I hated the thing. Get one of those vice breaker things and sit in a tree and wait for him to crib.

Im only kidding. I kinda think those are a waste of money. Who the heck has time to do that

Texas Paints · 11-11-2009, 02:45 PM

We also for the first time in my life had been giving a horse that is a cribber.Well I didn't know it until I got her home and to my surprise she cribbed.Well my vet suggested trying staples they put them in the gums and it does stop the cribbing.Now I didn't do it because first of all she was one of those freebies and I turned her out on pasture and it stopped. But I don't know how log the staples last or anything.But I can say this I will never own another cribber while she was in the barn area she destroyed gates,feed buckets anything she could crib on and we tried several different collars with her and nothing worked except putting her out on pasture no cribbing.Good luck with whatever you decide......

Horselady44 · 11-11-2009, 06:06 PM

Staples...in the gums

OUCH! Thats a new one for me.

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11-06-2009, 02:42 PM
chalsall Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 163	Cribbing Collar & Turn Out I need some advice... I have an OTTB with a fairly serious cribbing habit. There are 5 horses, a donkey and 4 cows turned out on 25 acres of pasture with free access to a paddock area where water & a round bale are always available. We thought that being on 24/7 turn out would reduce the frequency/regularity of his cribbing obsession. During the summer months, when the pasture was lush and green - my "kids" spent 90% of thier time OUTSIDE of the paddock area. And the cribbing wasn't such a big issue. However, now that the grass is grayish brown and rather lack luster they are spending about 70% of thier time INSIDE the paddock area, munching hay and hanging out. It is INSIDE the paddock where my sweet Rodney insists on cribbing. The fence in this area has gone from being in good condition to looking like we are serious beaver farmers in about 3 months. I wouldn't hesitate to try the miracle collar on him IF they were all contained in the paddock area ONLY but, because they still have free access to the pasture (with trees) - I'm a little worried about turning him out with the collar. (It isn't really that practical to keep all those animals contained in the 1 acre paddock area for more than 24 hours or so and I couldn't seperate him from his brothers & sisters - he'd crib himself into hysterics!) I'm really torn about what to do. His cribbing is increasing, the fences are falling into disprepair and he's a bit of a hard keeper as it is so, I need him using his mouth & teeth for eating HAY not, obsessively cribbing... What would you do? What are the risks associated with the Miracle Collar & turn out? Can he get caught on something? If he did - would it breakaway? For good measure - here's a picture of him... (Just to make sure you have all the details before you give your advice!!!) oh - and yes, he's about to crib in this picture!!!!

11-06-2009, 06:33 PM
enigma Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,267	I wouldn't turn out with one - but that's just me. __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

11-06-2009, 06:42 PM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,414	My cirbber was turned out 24/7 with one, but there weren't too many trees in the pasture. But really it was the lesser of the two evils because every time I tried to take it off he colicked... What if you got an old one and maybe put a cut or two in the leather so that it has an easier point to break? Breakaway halters have a thin piece of leather, why not weaken the leather on the miracle collar? Worth a shot, problem is if he figures out it's easy to get off you may spend lots of $$$ replacing them. But he may never know you weakened it...

11-06-2009, 06:45 PM
justine604 Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 121	im leery of it but for me to even consider it, the crown must be leather. maybe try putting plastic cribbing caps on the tops of the fences? __________________

11-07-2009, 09:20 PM
skippersmom Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mt. Juliet, TN Posts: 114	I also have a cribber and have done a lot of research. Besides the fact that there is a risk that the collar gets hung on something, the greatest risk is related to suffocation if the horse begins running in the pasture. There is a risk of the collar limiting the amount of oxygen the horse receives in that situation. They are meant to be used in the stall setting only. Have you considered running a strand of electric fencing? Good luck! Cribbers are difficult at times but I wouldn't trade mine for anything

11-08-2009, 06:38 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	I too, vote electric. It is an economical way to keep horses away from fences. If it cannot be electrified, you can put the tough type of corners that can be purchased at most lumber yards on your wood. Though cribbers can be lovebugs, they are a pain sometimes. I would not put mine out with a collar on either...

11-09-2009, 11:55 AM
chalsall Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 163	I thought that turnout with a collar was a bad idea too - that's why I had to ask! If we didn't have all the trees, I'd probably consider it but it just seems too risky with the possibility of him getting hung up. I think electric is the answer too. Thanks for the insight.

11-09-2009, 12:16 PM
EquineAlberta Kid Safe Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 6,004	THe collar may stop the windsucking, but the horse may still chew the wood out of boredom, so a collar may not stop the distruction. Have you tried something like Chew stop to paint on the favoured cribbing spots? Karen __________________ New Hillside Website The Art of Praise

11-09-2009, 12:28 PM
FlyinSoLow Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA Posts: 71	I would try a muzzle WITH the best safty turnout halter you can find BUT if you can afford it electric is the way to go, with the exception that usually a cribber will find ANYTHING to crib on, so you would have to be sure there is nothing else he can find.

11-09-2009, 01:15 PM
klattekm Halter broke Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 136	I wouldn't turn out with one. I used to with my ottb, but looking back it was super dangerous (which was why I eventually took it off of him, in addition to the fact that he would get sores, even with the fleece covers) The miracle collars are made of leather and can break like all leather. I would agree with the muzzle or the electric. They do claim make them to prevent suffocation (the company says you can ride in them etc), but I always took it off whenever he was going to be exercised.

11-09-2009, 05:00 PM
chalsall Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta Posts: 163	He doesn't really have a favorite cribbing spot - he'll use any where. He even does it on the metal round bale feeder. Eats a few bites, stops to crib, eats a few more - just a continuos cycle. The electric fence will help the wood fences somewhat but, it certainly won't stop the cribbing. He'll find somewhere else to do it. I haven't actually seen him eating the wood but, the fences are suffering none the less. He will be going to a boarding facility in January to get started under saddle and he'll (likely) stay there as long as he stands up to showing and the paddocks at the barn are tree-less so, I can definitely have him wear the miracle collar to save the fences there. Silly horse! But, what would we do all day if we didn't have silly horses????

11-09-2009, 11:38 PM
Rafflesgirl Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 491	My daughters new mare that we got this past spring is also a cribber (well wind sucker actually since she doesn't chew) We have her out almost 24/7 but our field is small only about 1 1/2 acre and so I do turn her out with the collar but since starting to use the collar the behavior has drastically improved. In fact I haven't seen her crib in quite a while. If I had a large area where I couldn't supervise her closely I wouldn't turn her out with it. I would be too worried she would get it hung on something. BUT we are getting ready to put a strand of electric around the top of our board fence to keep her from cribbing on that, and to keep her (and my other 2 horses ) from pushing up against them. Part of the pasture is already electric fenced thankfully. __________________ Kelli ~He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers~

11-11-2009, 02:27 PM
PaintsQH Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 3,678	My former OTT QH cribbed when I got him. I wasn't told of the habit, had to find out the hard way when I saw him doing it. I had him in a hot wire paddock, the stall was plywood and hotwire was put on the places I thought he might try to crib on. He didnt wear a collar for over a year. I hated the thing. Get one of those vice breaker things and sit in a tree and wait for him to crib. Im only kidding. I kinda think those are a waste of money. Who the heck has time to do that __________________ Angels descending, bring from above, Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

11-11-2009, 02:45 PM
Texas Paints Halter broke Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Granbury,Texas Posts: 114	Possible???? We also for the first time in my life had been giving a horse that is a cribber.Well I didn't know it until I got her home and to my surprise she cribbed.Well my vet suggested trying staples they put them in the gums and it does stop the cribbing.Now I didn't do it because first of all she was one of those freebies and I turned her out on pasture and it stopped. But I don't know how log the staples last or anything.But I can say this I will never own another cribber while she was in the barn area she destroyed gates,feed buckets anything she could crib on and we tried several different collars with her and nothing worked except putting her out on pasture no cribbing.Good luck with whatever you decide......

11-11-2009, 06:06 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,395	Staples...in the gums OUCH! Thats a new one for me. __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!