20/07/2026
Stereotypies!!
We run into them frequently, but they are very misunderstood in general.
Cribbing (also called crib-biting) is a repetitive behavior in which a horse grasps a solid object—such as a fence rail, stall door, or feed trough—with its front teeth, arches its neck, and pulls back while drawing air into its throat. This often produces a characteristic grunting sound.
It is considered a stereotypy, meaning a repetitive, seemingly purposeless behavior that often develops in response to stress, frustration, or an environment that doesn’t meet the horse’s behavioral needs.
