sales question

[TapitsGal]

would the fact that a horse is a cribber affect their sales value in the ring?

[ComicalCat]

would the fact that a horse is a cribber affect their sales value in the ring?


It can. Some buyers don't want to bring cribbers to the farm. There's annecdoctal evidence that cribbers will teach others to crib. And cribbing is so very destructive to fences, stalls, etc.

I've turned away potential boarders because the mares in question were cribbers. I can imagine buyers backing off mares who are cribbers.

[TBird]

would the fact that a horse is a cribber affect their sales value in the ring?

For a weanling or yearling, yes. For a broodmare, sometimes but not always.

Most broodmare farms don't care. The mares spend so much time turned out that often the cribbing either stops or is greatly reduced. But it's a dealbreaker so it has to be announced--even if a consignor has only seen a mare crib once.

Buyers care though because mares that crib often have foals that crib. And it's harder to sell a yearling that cribs (it's a sign of unthriftiness) than one that doesn't.

[jennywho]

definately a deal breaker for us, I don't care how nice/cheap the mare is - no cribbers

[daisy]

Just the fact that cribbing is just about the only condition that must be declared should tell you something. I would not buy a cribber.

[Flanders]

Do the horses really do it because they like to chew on wood or because they are bored out of their minds being trapped in stalls? This is a serious question no sarcasm. Me, I think its the latter, then it becomes a habit, which is bad. And a habit sticks with a horse, which if a mare passes it on. Wouldn't putting a jolly ball or some other horse toy, possibly stop this? Some horses have issues, Miss Keller had to have her fluffy bunny, loved the pics but if she is so OCD how do they handle a mare like that when she is a broodmare?

[Tappiano]

They do it in pastures and it's a habit like biting your nails. They see a fence and they want to grab it....

[serenassong]

I found this good article on cribbing. TB are the bred with the most cribbers, about 10%, followed by QH at 8%. It also states that cribbing behavior can't be passed to other horses(in most cases, only 10% of non-cribbers exposed to cribbers will aquire the habit), which I though was the case. The feeling is now that it has to do with tummy problems. In severe cases, can cause death.:http://www.myhorse.com/cribbing-why-some-horses-need-pacifiers.html

[todadamson]

I haven't used it myself but it is recommened by some well known trainers.

http://barclayscollar.com/shop/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=5

Please read the following warning.

http://www.rwwa.com.au/home/ElectricalAnti-CribbingCollar.pdf

[GinTalking]

Perhaps that device is like an invisible fence collar and not quite as awful as it's made out to be. My dogs have worn an IF collar and my experience has been that after one or two zaps, they know exactly where they can go.

FYI, my mare is a cribber. She grabs anything ... whatever type of fencing you have, she grabs it. Occasionally, she'll pull off the top rail which annoys everyone at the farm, but I don't believe she's actually destroyed a panel or torn down an entire section of fencing.

And also fyi, she's had four foals and not one of them is a cribber. I believe she's the only cribber on the farm so she hasn't "taught" it to any other mare, foal or gelding either.

I wish she was not a cribber because I know that if in the not too distant future, my family decides to move to a place with a lot less work, she may have a hard time finding a good home. That concerns me.

[Kelly Kip]

There is a difference between cribbing & wood chewing. Cribbing is the act of swallowing air into the digestive tract. Both are destructive to fences, etc, but cribbing affects their wind.

I do know some people will buy a cribber, thinking they are getting a bargain.

[dreamer]

I know alot of horses will "chew" on the fence but like Kelly said, a cribber actually sucks air when they chew the wood and you can hear them sucking it. They will do it in the stalls and outside as well, but cribbing collars do work. I've known babies to pick up the habit from their mommas ....

[daisy]

I can't speak for an older broodmare we've got now, but every other cribber we've had or had recently (2 of them out of the previously-mentioned mare) started cribbing before they were even weaned. These are babies that live outside 24/7, one of them started cribbing by 1 month of age.

[jennywho]

Hey, that makes me feel better, a few years ago we had a foal start cribbing. She was out 24/7, lived with another mare and foal. Not a single horse on the place cribbed. We started her on gastroguard and all kinds of ulcer treatments to no avail. Still have no idea why she started cribbing.

[GinTalking]

.... but cribbing collars do work. I've known babies to pick up the habit from their mommas ....

The collar didn't work on my mare so they finally took it off her. Wish it had.

[Silverbulletday]

There's anecdotal evidence that cribbers colic more often than non-cribbers simply because the air upsets their GI tract. I believe I read an article that refuted that claim, but I'll still pay extra attention to my cribbing mares. I don't know if they're cribbing because they're a little more high-maintenance or if they're high-maintenance because they're cribbing, but it still seems that I have a few more issues with them than non cribbers. I've also seen it get passed around barns where mares have windows between the stalls and among mares that are turned out with each other. On the other hand I've also seen weanlings (foals off a non-cribbing mare) pick it up seemingly out of nowhere when they're stood in because of injury or sickness.

I personally find it excruciatingly annoying to listen to since I'm in the barns all day, but if the right mare came along, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[Retrospectiv]

There's anecdotal evidence that cribbers colic more often than non-cribbers simply because the air upsets their GI tract. I believe I read an article that refuted that claim, but I'll still pay extra attention to my cribbing mares. I don't know if they're cribbing because they're a little more high-maintenance or if they're high-maintenance because they're cribbing, but it still seems that I have a few more issues with them than non cribbers. I've also seen it get passed around barns where mares have windows between the stalls and among mares that are turned out with each other. On the other hand I've also seen weanlings (foals off a non-cribbing mare) pick it up seemingly out of nowhere when they're stood in because of injury or sickness.

I personally find it excruciatingly annoying to listen to since I'm in the barns all day, but if the right mare came along, it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

I've met lots of cribbers (never owned one) and you're right....it IS annoying to listen to!

I have actually met one who was a cribber and did die of colic. He was a yearling colt, lovely appaloosa few spot halter type colt. He was a cribber when they bought him. Tried all the collars, nothing worked. He'd often be somewhat bloated from all the cribbing he did. He colicked and they couldn't save him.
Connection between the two? No idea but it's one I've personally known.

[TapitsGal]

now that you guys mention it. my aunt used to have a quarter horse mare with EPM who was a cribber. and she ended up having to be put down, because of i believe she had colic. but i was just a little girl when it happened so i'm not entirely sure

[Claim To Fame]

I guess each person has it's own opinion but if I'm at the sales and its a horse that I really wanted for whatever reason, it would not sway me to back out.