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Study of crib–biting and gastric ulceration and mucosal inflammation in foals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

A J Badnell–Waters ,
A D Wilson ,
P A Harris ,
H B Davidson  and
C J Nicol
A J Badnell–Waters*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
A D Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
P A Harris
Affiliation:
Equine Studies Group, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham–on–the–Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK.
H B Davidson
Affiliation:
Equine Studies Group, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham–on–the–Wolds, LE14 4RT, UK.
C J Nicol
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK
*
Address correspondence to Amanda Badnell-Waters, e-mail: amanda@badnellwaters.evesham.net
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Extract

Crib–biting is a stereotypic behaviour performed by approximately 5% of captive domestic horses. Dietary factors have been strongly associated with the development of oral stereotypies and risk factors for crib–biting, identified in recent epidemiological studies, include feeding high concentrate and/or low forage diets (Waters et al., 2002). Experimental work has shown that such diets are likely to result in increased gastric acidity (Murray and Eichorn, 1996; Nadeau et al., 2000). We therefore propose that young horses initiate crib–biting in an attempt to produce alkaline saliva to buffer their stomachs when alternative opportunities for mastication are limited. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an association between crib–biting behaviour and stomach condition in foals.

Foals that had recently started to perform crib–biting were recruited into the study and compared with non–stereotypic foals. The stomachs of 15 crib-biting foals and 9 normal foals were examined using a video endoscope.

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Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 32: Emerging Equine Science , 2004 , pp. 177 - 178
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 2004

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References

Murray, M.J. and Eichorn, E.S. (1996). Effects of intermittent food deprivation, intermittent food deprivation with Ranitidine, and stall confinement with free access to hay on gastric ulceration in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 11: 1599–1603.Google Scholar
Nadeau, J.A., Andrews, F.M., Mathew, A.G., Argenzio, R.A., Blackford, J.T., Sohtell M., Saxton, A.M. (2000). Evaluation of diet as a cause of gastric ulcers in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 61: 784–790.Google Scholar
Waters A.J; Nicol C.J. and French N.P. (2002). Factors influencing the development of stereotypic and redirected behaviour in young horses: the findings of a four year prospective epidemiological study. Equine Veterinary Journal 34 (6): 572–579. Google Scholar