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Discussion on When Does Cribbing Develop?
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 3:29 pm:
My baby's mom cribbed. I am going to try to do everything possible not to give him a reason to start (wean late, more forage than grain, lots of turnout). If a horse is going to crib, when do they usually start? My last foal started at about 3 months, coincident with him getting weaned. My baby's mom cribbed when I bought her, at 6 years of age.
I never intend on changing his management, but is there any time I can consider him "safe" from learning it?
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 3:46 pm:
UC Davis had an excellent article on it in their Horse Report not long ago. They suggest it (and other vices) develops during weaning and that it was brought on by the stress of it. I've heard it's easier on the baby to do it in stages & not cold turkey and to have a companion for them such as a goat.
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Member:
aannk
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 4:05 pm:
Interesting.... he will be turned out with other weanlings when weaned along with babies that are not yet weaned (a herd of around 12). I also told them to have him let them know when he is ready as opposed to doing it on a schedule. He already doesn't care too much when led away from mommy.
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 17, 2008 - 4:31 pm:
My filly started sticking her tongue out the side of her head when she was weaned (I HATE THAT) - I was thrilled she found a great home...
My last colt (who had a goat for company) came out of it just fine, I did start separations with an hour & then a few & progressed over time and that seemed to do the trick, oh, and the goat would just about fly trying to keep up with him, she was hot on his heels everywhere he went, it was hilarious to watch... I had to wean him @ 4 months as he was growing too fast (Mom's milk is just too rich per the vet).
Yours should do better with other foals but given your fears I'd still do it little by little, that seems to produce better results for me. I'm sure someone else will pitch in with their experiences too. But that article from U.C. Davis cemented it for me...
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