Tri-Tronics^®, Inc.

P. O. Box 17660

Tucson, AZ  85731

support@tthorse.com

1-800-808-8423

ARTICLES & EDUCATION

Wood Chewing

Some horses can put a beaver to shame when it comes to chewing wood. With today's high quality feeds it is unusual that a horse chews wood for any nutritional reason but it is always good to have a veterinarian rule out a dietary deficiency. Horses may chew wood when they are bored or they may chew wood after a rainstorm when it smells more appealing. They may chew wood when they are nervous or upset with some change in their environment. With pelleted or high quality, low fiber feeds, the horse may have met all of his nutritional requirements in a few hours, but he is still seeking oral fulfillment. They may chew wood simply because their friend does. For whatever the reason they decide to chew, it is an expensive and frustrating problem for many horse owners. Replacing boards, posts, barn walls and stall walls can be a never-ending process and expense. In a short amount of time a wood chewer can make a nice facility appear to be neglected and unsightly. These horses can also end up with splinters in their mouths or digestive tracts and abnormal wear on their incisors. They may chew completely through boards and allow strange horses to mix.

Many chemicals or topical applications are available that range from hot pepper sprays to oily or tar like substances which unfortunately can rub off on the horse, staining his haircoat and skin. A serious wood chewing horse, though, makes most of these look like a candy coating. The only things that many of these coatings work to keep off the fences are the people who don't want to ruin their clothes. Metal trim is an expensive option that can work to keep the edges and corners of wood facilities intact but it won't take a clever wood chewer long to find and unprotected board or seam. Most horses know they are not supposed to chew and will run away or stop when they see a person approaching so it is difficult to discipline them. The ViceBreaker^® makes it very easy to stop this behavior from a distance and although the horse may need a reminder in a few months, the ViceBreaker^® solution is safe, quick, convenient and effective.

Note: Sometimes wood chewing will be referred to as "cribbing" but "cribbing" is a completely different vice that is discussed here.

Remember, as with most bad habits, your horse may be trying to tell you he is unhappy with his environment. Please take the time to read our Factors page to understand why many horses begin a bad habit and also our Tips page for improving your horse's lifestyle.