As a civil war cavalry reenactor, I have had the use of a horse that is a cavalryman's dream. He is great under cannon, carbine and revolver fire, goes into sabre fights without hesitation. He is a small Tenn. Walker. As a result, I have a smooth ride, and his small size (about 14.3) makes it easier for this 61 year old to mount and dismount loaded down with my sabre, revolver(s) and carbine. He is now available for sale. He is a cribber. I do not know how bad the problem is, and will speak with the owner. He wears a "miracle collar" at home. On the picket line, and tied to the trailer he is perfect, no wind sucking, or attempting to find something to crib on. As a horse owner for 55+ years, I have never had a cribber. Should I run like the wind away from this potential purchase, or is it a consideration? If so, what factors should come into play? The horse is a 10 year old, and his front teeth do show some wear. Thanks for any input!
Posted 2011-10-20 10:12 PM (#138405 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Location: KY
There is a lot to be said in favor of buying a horse you already know. I have never had a cribber so do not know the possible problems. If I were in your position (and it is obvious you like the horse) I would talk with my vet and have my vet take a look at the horse.
Posted 2011-10-21 9:47 AM (#138417 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Veteran
Posts: 186
An oldtime once said, "there are no perfect horses - find one with the least amount of bad habits you can live with" He sounds like a dream horse except for the cribbing. What the vet/dentist says would make my mind up. Where will you be keeping the horse? If it is your own place you can customize. Ive seen weavers and wind suckers close to cured out on pasture 24-7. Has this horse been stall kept? How long, how many things have the current owners tried to slove the vice? How many other horses have you looked at?
Posted 2011-10-22 6:51 AM (#138429 - in reply to #138417) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Veteran
Posts: 282 Location: southcentral pennsylvania
Thanks for your input! I called the vet. He said there are different categories of cribbers. He said if I never owned one, I would probably be able to deal well with a light cribber. My horses are out 24/7 with run-ins. Only in the worst winter storms are they in the barn. The vet suggested I bring the horse home for a trial period to evaluate the problem. I need to talk further with the owner.
Posted 2011-10-23 7:33 AM (#138436 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 430 Location: TN
I have owned a couple of cribbers through the years and would not hestitate to own another. I have used an Amish made cribbing collar that is about 4 inches wide and made of heavy duty leather. I have had people tell me that the Miracle Collars can make a horse sore on their poll and across their forehead. I also always keep a backup collar- I had one cribber who could destroy collars and hated to not have one him at all times. He could crib in mid-air without even grabbing onto anything.
I also found that the more turnout a cribber gets, the less they crib. I would still keep a collar on them unless I noticed that they were not cribbing at all.
I have heard research in the last couple of years that cribbing could be related to ulcers, but then again these days, what isn't?
It sounds like you found a horse you like, which is a hard enough task in itself. Don't let cribbing make you pass up a horse that is suited for your needs!
Posted 2011-10-24 6:42 AM (#138450 - in reply to #138436) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Veteran
Posts: 282 Location: southcentral pennsylvania
Cutter, I am about 2 hours from Lancaster, and would not hesitate to travel to your Amish connection to get a cribbing collar, if I decided to get this horse. Yes, the miracle collar did leave a sore mark, which I pointed out to the owner. Perhaps you could PM me with the details?
Posted 2011-10-24 11:07 AM (#138461 - in reply to #138450) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 376 Location: Missouri
I've had several of them, and never again.
Cribbers wear their teeth at an unnatural angle that may cause problems with grazing and chewing. Horses unable to chew properly may be prone to nutritional deficiencies and can ingest sharp slivers of wood. The muscles on the underside of their necks can appear thicker, and stomachs can look distended. Some horses seem to crib constantly and are difficult to keep weight on, while others crib very infrequently.
Cribbers can cause substantial damage. Some horses will grasp fence rails so aggressively as to pull them down. Others will take a bite of wood with each gulp, and chew through wood. Trees can be damaged, as well as stall doors and walls.
There are too many good horses out there and very reasonable prices to even consider one that cribs.
Posted 2011-10-24 9:03 PM (#138483 - in reply to #138461) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Member
Posts: 47 Location: Findlay, OH
I second that. Cribbers not only destroy everything, but they teach all there friends to crib. Then you have a whole barn full of them!! I had one, he was a great horse. But even after I blocked everything that could be grabbed, he eventually would grab the water tank & pull it over..etc. I'd keep looking. Good Luck!
Posted 2011-10-25 2:30 AM (#138495 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
We had a cribber at our boarding barn for 10+ years. He always wore his cribbing collar.. He is a wonderful horse whose owner loves him dearly.. Of the 27 other horses at the place at the time, None of the others cribbed
Posted 2011-10-29 8:25 PM (#138611 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Member
Posts: 14
Location: K.Y.
I owned a cribber for 12 years.He was only a light cribber but the best trail horse that i have ever owned. I would not hesitate to own another one. If I could find what I like.
Posted 2011-11-15 4:18 PM (#138934 - in reply to #138375) Subject: RE: Cribbing
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 447 Location: cedar rapids iowa
I have seen cribbers and weavers at stables and none of the other horses picked up the habit. If other horses are doing it also there is a problem with the care they are recieving.
A friend has a cribber that looks near death as he cribs so much he doesn't eat normally. Even in a pasture he will crib on metal posts.
Cribbing
