Page 1020 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Where gastric ulceration is a factor, medication to treat the ulcers should be given as the
• pain experienced can be severe.

VetBooks.ir • Various drugs, eg serotonin re-uptake inhibitors have been tried to influence the

neurophysiological pathways involved in stereotypic behaviour. However, they are not
licenced for horses and their use is not often recommended.

TREATMENTS THAT PHYSICALLY PREVENT CRIBBING BEHAVIOUR

These practices do nothing to address the underlying problem and are not in the best interests
of the horse. In some cases there are serious welfare implications. They include the

following.
• Cribbing straps and collars (Figure 22.3).

• Unpleasant tasting substances spread onto surfaces used for cribbing.

• Electrifying the surfaces and fences.
• In the past, the muscles on the underside of the neck and their nerve supply were

removed. The surgery is disfiguring and the results were variable. Again, it does nothing

to address the cause of the behaviour and all of these treatments may increase the distress
of the horse.