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 Veteran
Posts: 274
 
| All my life I swore I would never own a cribber, that I would pass if someone tried to give it to me, ect. .ect..
Well....I now own 2!!!!!!!!!! :(
Both of them I bought to use as broodmares. Both really really good lines, but....how the crap do you keep weight on them? I am at my wits end, and about ready to sale. I have grown attached to these mares, and do not want to let them go, however, the only thing I can figure is to stick them in the stall and feed them 5 gallons + of grain a day (which is just not feasible, both financially and medical, to the horses system) to get them looking like my other horses look!
I feed a 14% protein / 9% fat pellet (approx 4lbs per day), along with a mix of salt, soybean meal, alfalfa, and minerals (2lbs per day) and all they can eat coastal hay.
I had collars on both of these mares, however, they both still crib through the collar. They eat...they crib...they do not graze, like a normal horse...they eat and crib, and look like crap!
Any suggestions?
Edited by Warriors Mom 2015-12-28 9:01 AM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| What kind of cribbing collar are you using? I have a cribber that will quit eating and drinking if he doesn't have a certain type of collar on. He has to wear it 24/7 otherwise he starts it right back up.
http://www.amazon.com/Tough-1-Aluminum-Hinge-Cribbing-Collar/dp/B00...
This is the only type that will keep him from cribbing and it needs to be pretty snug.
Edited by veintiocho 2015-12-28 9:15 AM
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 Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | Find the best quality hay you can put out feed it free choice and look in to ADM High fat protein tubs for horses, I hate using ADM tubs but no one has anything better available yet. Right now I keep out orchard alfalfa mix big bales. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| equussynergy - 2015-12-28 9:12 AM
Find the best quality hay you can put out feed it free choice and look in to ADM High fat protein tubs for horses, I hate using ADM tubs but no one has anything better available yet. Right now I keep out orchard alfalfa mix big bales.
If they're bad cribbers they wont even look at food.. The horse that I have started when he got hurt and was on stall rest for about a month. He got to where he wouldn't go out to the pasture with the other horses and wouldn't even look at alfalfa hay or grain. Once I got a cribbing collar on him that worked he looked like a drug addict; he was panicked, running back and forth trying anything he could to crib on. |
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Veteran
Posts: 274
| veintiocho - 2015-12-28 9:24 AM
equussynergy - 2015-12-28 9:12 AM
Find the best quality hay you can put out feed it free choice and look in to ADM High fat protein tubs for horses, I hate using ADM tubs but no one has anything better available yet. Right now I keep out orchard alfalfa mix big bales.
If they're bad cribbers they wont even look at food.. The horse that I have started when he got hurt and was on stall rest for about a month. He got to where he wouldn't go out to the pasture with the other horses and wouldn't even look at alfalfa hay or grain. Once I got a cribbing collar on him that worked he looked like a drug addict; he was panicked, running back and forth trying anything he could to crib on.
This is how these horses would act... I had one of the mares at the stud farm, she was in a stall that she had nothing to crib on....when they billed me, I looked at the bill and wondered why all the sedative ??? I called and asked why I had been billed for it, and they said she had to be sedated the entire time she was there because she went nutts.... |
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Veteran
Posts: 274
| veintiocho - 2015-12-28 9:12 AM
What kind of cribbing collar are you using? I have a cribber that will quit eating and drinking if he doesn't have a certain type of collar on. He has to wear it 24/7 otherwise he starts it right back up.
http://www.amazon.com/Tough-1-Aluminum-Hinge-Cribbing-Collar/dp/B00...
This is the only type that will keep him from cribbing and it needs to be pretty snug.
These are the ones I had... And I had them so tight I even made tighter holes, to the point I thought I was gonna kill them by strangulation...they still crib :(
I know they are still eating grain, they do not eat the hay or graze...they eat the grain, then crib all day. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
 
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Had a cribber once he got the best feed and hay had pasture, but he would rather crib on a pole all day then graze drove me nuts. My hubby would always ask why in the heck is he standing at that pole all day long and make that awful noise while cribbing hes got all the feed and hay and pasture you could ever want for a horse, but he was a true cribber. |
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Expert
Posts: 2121
Location: The Great Northwest | I have had a cripper and now board one. They remind me of a person with an addiction. I wish there was some way to sooth them. Have you had them checked for ulcers? I sure wouldn't feed more than 3 pounds of grain at a feeding because of the starch getting back to the hind gut. If there is ulcers, the grain could irritate the stomach. The cribber I have now is on pasture 24/7 and has a favorite place to crib. Hang in there they are nerve wringing.  |
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Veteran
Posts: 274
| have any of you tried this collar?
http://www.barclayscollar.com/shop/
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| How frustrating! I don't know why, but the more square/angular one works on my horse. He broke his a while ago so I bought another one like this http://www.applesaddlery.com/Weaver-Leather-Cribbing-Collar/-231768... thinking it was the same, but it's NOT! It didn't work -no matter how tight I had it. I think it was too rounded. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I tryed a collar for a while on mine but he still cribed so did away with it, this was a long time ago. My horse looked really good for a cribber, I kept him on a pellet feed and good hay, pasture, he didnt have that ribby look that alot of the cribbers I seen. His front teeth were worn down from all the cribbing but I kept him on a pellet feed so I think he got alot out of it that he was needing when I bought him. When I bought him he was very poor and I felt sorry for him thats why I brought him home. The good feed did him good along with good hay. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I know that there is a leather collor that works really good has the square piece for the area that they need it, the aluminum collars dont as well as the leather with the square piece on the throat. |
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 Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | The best cribbingt collar I ever used was the DARE collar. But even better for them was when I treated them for ulcers. I was able to completely cure all of the cribbers I ever had except one by treating their ulcers and keeping them free fed from there on out. |
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Swiffer PIcker Upper
Posts: 4015
Location: Four Corners Colorado | In that case I would put them in a pen with hotwire and nothing to crib on and treat for ulcers.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303
| I have never had a true cribber, so I have no useful advice; however, if they are both interested in grain as you say, would it be possible to switch them to a complete feed like Purina's Equine Senior? It might help to put some weight back onto them if they were getting most everything they needed out of a bucket, and any roughage they might manage to get down in between cribbing sessions as a bonus? It's far from ideal, but... |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I looked for that collar and this is the collar that I have seen work.. Its the Miracle collar.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2015-12-28 10:28 AM
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Expert
Posts: 4625
Location: Desert Land | Southtxponygirl - 2015-12-28 8:24 AM I looked for that collar and this is the collar that I have seen work.. Its the Miracle collar.
I did not ever have much luck with the miracle collar. I had to get it too tight to where it would impede the cribbing. That's the nice thing about the Dare collar...I didn't have to make it so tight I thought I was choking the horse. |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
Location: Texas | I think I would treat them both for ulcers. As for a collar, this is the best there is. I bought one in desparation for my die hard cribber and it worked!
http://allamericantack.com/cribbing-collar-c-78.htm
ETA: It's $37.00, so you can buy two for less than the cost of one of the others.
Edited by Fun2Run 2015-12-28 11:56 AM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 927
Location: Iowa | Dare collar 24/7. Feed purina amplifiy. It's higher fat. Try scoping for ulcers. If not, just try treating for ulcers. You will know in a week if its helping. Free choice hay in front of them always. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | So gald that I have never had another cribber. I would treat for uclers too, back in the day they were bored horses that cribed, but now I think theres a reason for all the cribbing. So if I ever got another cribber I would be treating for Uclers like some of the other BB's said. But not planning on having another one. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | Free choice Omnis Complete cubes. I have been told they are drastically reducing cribbing and putting on weight on them. Where do you live? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383
| I have a cribber and a collar has never helped him- and it seems to frustrate him even more- I started him on animal elelment detox a few years ago and I feed adm ultra fiber & blue bonnet ex- facor 50/50 to keep starch and sugar to a minimum ,good alfalfa and Bermuda and prarie- he loves to graze he was ott so he didn't get to graze so it took some time but when I put him on the animal element detox it really changed him - he was so much calmer and happier and settled his stomach-I highly recommend it, it is a very inexpensive supplement for what you get with it. I've heard Omni cubes are awesome I personally haven't ried them because I cannot give him oats of any amount in any shape or form or he gets CRAZY!!!- but I do know if there are hind gut issues oats really are not good for them hope this helps- |
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 Veteran
Posts: 173
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow | I have a cribber. I like the miracle collar. You will have to put it on tightly it they will crib through it. The collar will give them relief when they have their head down grazing.
Checking for ulcers is good. Sometimes they crib because they have issues and sometimes the cribbing will cause issues. Either way, it's good to check. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | I agree with the rest in treating for Ulcers. It did not cure my cribber but it sure cuts it way down. I can tell when he has been stressing by the amount he cribs. Then I treat for ulcers. I use an OTC generic so its not super expensive to do and it cuts his cribbing by at least half. I use the DARE collar that someone else has suggested but really if his belly is doing good I leave it off and allow the little bit of cribbing he does. And get some good baled alfafa hay. Good for the belly and will fatten them right up. A good 2nd cut alfalfa mix has done wonders for my older gelding that no amount of grass hay was doing prior. I had also had the older gelding on alfalfa cubes and pellets and...... nothing has put the weight on him like the 2nd cutting alfalfa has done.
Edited by ajs2002 2015-12-29 7:22 AM
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 Veteran
Posts: 158
| My worst cribber will crib through collars etc, I finally broke down and bought one of those horse shock collars, I think it took about 5 times over the course of a couple hours for him to realize what was going on and now he wears a loose dummy collar, about once a month he will test his collar and I just swap them back. The shock collars are not even near the intensity of dog shock collars, very mild but worked wonders for him... |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 912
Location: Alabama | I traded for a bonafied cribber a few years ago. He was bad and looked like pasture nag crap! His cribbing was 100% tied to his stress level and he would crib thru any collar. What worked for him? He never was stalled. He was turned out with a very docile mare. I got him a pygmy goat whom he at first tried to kill and then learned to love. I never tied him without a hay bag and never tied him short. Lots of times I would tie with a blocker tie ring so if he tired to crib the lead would pull thru. After changing his feed, being on 24/7 turn out, and getting the goat he stopped cribbing at home. The only time he would do it was at a barrel race or rodeo when tied to the trailer. I learned that trailering was the biggest stress trigger for him. After about 6 months at my place he became the easiest keeper there. I really think being on a set schedule and getting daily exercise helped him very much. He was kind of like an ocd person, he liked things done a certain way and the same way every single day. Oh, and he was 13 when I got him. He had been cribbing since he was weaned and had only one owner before me. If you can find their triggers they can usually be fixed. :) |
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 I too, shall remain nameless!
Posts: 2248
Location: Wearing a winter coat...... | Hay......GOOD HAY is your friend. I own 2 currently and have owned more- without any issues- but feed a good 2nd or 3rd cutting alfalfa hay. It is the best to soothe their stomach issues and keep weight on a cribber. |
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 Zeal Queen
Posts: 3826
Location: TEXAS | I saw where girls had good results with the PHT magnetic blankets....that's my next step. |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I agree with treating for ulcers and then what about feeding a mush for a while? If at all possible 2-3 x a day to get food in them and keep their belly full so the ulcers stay away? Alfalfa and beet pellets soaked? I have never owned a cribber, not a true one. Our pasture horses that get locked in the corral might knaw on the fence out of boredom, but when they are rode steady they give it up. I did buy an off track mare that was a MAJOR weaver. She had a 1000 acres to her pleasure and would go up the fence in the middle of nowhere and nothing on the other side-other mares all around her, and weave to her little hearts content. She was a strange egg for sure. |
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Veteran
Posts: 274
| Lol... True Wyoming barrel racer... these two mares are pastured on 50+ acres and will just stand all day at the one post they can crib on and (the other actually has a low handing tree branch she has found) and crib away.
I have come to qualms with the fact that they can leave.. I have priced them, I just have to many to sink so much time and effort into two horses that will not help themselves. :( Its a shame, because I am sure some day someone will be kicking my rear on their foals. These mares need to go to either someone that has the time to put into them, or to someone that has a lot more acreage than me that can put them in a place they can not crib. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| TheOldGrayMare - 2015-12-28 10:14 AM
The best cribbingt collar I ever used was the DARE collar. But even better for them was when I treated them for ulcers. I was able to completely cure all of the cribbers I ever had except one by treating their ulcers and keeping them free fed from there on out.
Second this - DARE collar seems to work a lot better than the miracle collar. My friends horse was a cribber and once he was treated for ulcers it significantly reduced his cribbing. |
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | I have a pretty mild cribber compared to some, hes very much an easy keeper but the miracle collar I was not impressed with, I use the DARE. I know my husbands aunt had a shock collar type that seemed to work, that horse would crib on a lead rope with a collar on. |
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Good Ole Boys just Fine with Me
Posts: 2869
Location: SE Missouri | WiscoRacer - 2016-01-04 3:56 PM
TheOldGrayMare - 2015-12-28 10:14 AM
The best cribbingt collar I ever used was the DARE collar. But even better for them was when I treated them for ulcers. I was able to completely cure all of the cribbers I ever had except one by treating their ulcers and keeping them free fed from there on out.
Second this - DARE collar seems to work a lot better than the miracle collar. My friends horse was a cribber and once he was treated for ulcers it significantly reduced his cribbing.
I had zero luck with the miracle collar or the metal hinged one and the allamerican tack collar works but it had to be SO tight that it rubbed him raw. So I gave up and just let him crib. He's on good pasture and will graze but will stand in the lean too and crib on the wood there close to feeding times and it drives me bonkers. I think it was initially a stress deal.
I've thought about the PHT hood also. He isn't quite as bad but he's just so annoying, lol. |
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 Sweet Tea
Posts: 3496
Location: Home of the World Famous "Silver Bullet" | We use a grazing muzzle. They can graze,eat and drink. |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | I've had 2 - One I owned for 20+ years. Cutting out molasses and all beet pulp (including beet pulp without molasses) , and joint supplements help mine cut back a whole lot. Add some flax & alfalfa. Stayed nice & round. Also feeding a mix of slippery elm,meadowsweet, marshmallow root, and licorice helped more than anything. I tried to keep a miracle collar on one & he still cribbed even with a ton of turnout time. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| Warriors Mom - 2015-12-28 8:59 AM
All my life I swore I would never own a cribber, that I would pass if someone tried to give it to me, ect. .ect..
Well....I now own 2!!!!!!!!!! :(
Both of them I bought to use as broodmares. Both really really good lines, but....how the crap do you keep weight on them? I am at my wits end, and about ready to sale. I have grown attached to these mares, and do not want to let them go, however, the only thing I can figure is to stick them in the stall and feed them 5 gallons + of grain a day (which is just not feasible, both financially and medical, to the horses system) to get them looking like my other horses look!
I feed a 14% protein / 9% fat pellet (approx 4lbs per day), along with a mix of salt, soybean meal, alfalfa, and minerals (2lbs per day) and all they can eat coastal hay.
I had collars on both of these mares, however, they both still crib through the collar. They eat...they crib...they do not graze, like a normal horse...they eat and crib, and look like crap!
Any suggestions?
Hey, not sure if you still have your horses that crib, but I just wanted to let you know I have an update with mine that usually cribs so bad. I've had my horses on alfalfa + free choice grass hay + pasture and he would crib BAD without a collar on. I wanted to start my horses on Omni cubes, but I can't get them around here so did what I could and started all the horses on whole oats + flax and a higher % alfalfa (like 90/10-100%) + the grass hay & pasture. I started them on it 1/20 and noticed he broke his collar that evening...
Knock on wood I've not seen or heard him sucking on the fence since then...and this horse is BAD about it. If I forgot to put his collar on after riding him first thing he would do is go to the fence and start sucking. He even broke a H&W panel from cribbing on it after being left in overnight with out his collar..
I am crossing my fingers this isn't a fluke and he wont start again 
Edited by veintiocho 2016-01-27 12:15 PM
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