| Cause of Wood Chewing | Explanation | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Boredom and Lack of Exercise | Horses may chew wood when confined and bored. | Increase turnout time and provide more exercise. |
| Nutritional Deficiencies | Chewing wood can indicate a lack of nutrients. | Ensure a balanced diet and consider supplements. |
| Stress and Frustration | Stressful environments can lead to wood chewing. | Improve stable environment and increase social interaction. |
| Habit and Learned Behaviour | Horses may mimic others' wood chewing habits. | Identify and separate habitual chewers if possible. |
| Inadequate Forage | Lack of constant forage leads to wood chewing. | Provide ad-lib hay or haylage. |
| Lack of Mental Stimulation | Horses need mental engagement to prevent boredom. | Introduce stable toys and boredom busters. |
| Lack of Physical Barriers | Accessible wood surfaces are prone to chewing. | Use deterrents like bitter sprays or physical barriers. |
Wood chewing is a common issue among horse owners that can lead to significant damage to stables, fences, and even the horses themselves. Understanding why horses engage in this behaviour and implementing effective strategies to prevent it can ensure both the well-being of your horse and the preservation of your property. This blog will explore the causes of wood chewing in horses and provide practical solutions to stop this behaviour.
Understanding the Causes of Wood Chewing
Boredom and Lack of Exercise
Horses are naturally active animals that spend a significant portion of their day grazing and socializing. When confined to stalls or small paddocks for extended periods, they may become bored and frustrated, leading to wood chewing as a form of entertainment or stress relief. Learn more about this behaviour.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Occasionally, wood chewing can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies. Horses may chew wood in an attempt to ingest missing nutrients or minerals, particularly if their diet lacks sufficient fibre or roughage. Find out more here.
Stress and Frustration
Stressful environments, such as limited social interaction or inadequate turnout time, can contribute to stereotypic behaviours like wood chewing. Horses may chew wood as a coping mechanism to alleviate stress. Read more about this issue.
Habit and Learned Behaviour
Sometimes, horses may develop wood chewing habits by mimicking other horses. If one horse in a stable starts chewing wood, others may follow suit, turning it into a learned behaviour. More information here.
Effective Strategies to Prevent Wood Chewing
Increase Turnout Time
Allowing horses more time outdoors can significantly reduce boredom and stress. Ensure they have ample space to move around and interact with other horses. If outdoor turnout is limited due to weather or space constraints, consider providing frequent exercise through riding or lunging sessions. Learn more.
Provide Adequate Forage
Horses need constant access to forage to mimic their natural grazing behaviour. Providing ad-lib hay or haylage can help keep them occupied and reduce the likelihood of wood chewing. Using slow feeder nets or multiple hay nets can extend feeding time and keep horses engaged longer. Find out more here.
Enrich the Stable Environment
Introduce stable toys and boredom busters to keep horses mentally stimulated. Treat balls, lickable toys, and hanging objects can provide entertainment and reduce the urge to chew wood. Adding apple slices or other treats to hay can also make feeding time more engaging. Read more here.
Address Nutritional Deficiencies
Consult with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to ensure your horse's diet is balanced and meets all their nutritional needs. Supplements may be necessary if deficiencies are identified. Learn more.
Use Deterrents
Applying bitter-tasting sprays or pastes to wooden surfaces can deter horses from chewing. Ensure that these products are non-toxic and safe for horses. Additionally, installing physical barriers like metal caps on fence rails or electric fencing can prevent horses from accessing wood. Find out more here.
Product Recommendations
Lincoln Crib Biting Preventative
Shop now at Just Horse Riders for the Lincoln Crib Biting Preventative, a high-quality solution designed to keep your horse's environment safe and crib-free. This water-resistant anti-crib preparation is perfect for use on gates, fences, and stable doors, ensuring maximum protection for your equine companion. It contains Bitrex (Denatonium Benzoate) and Capsicum Oleoresin - ingredients renowned for their effectiveness in deterring crib biting. Plus, it is non-staining.
NAF Crib Stop Spray
Shop now at Just Horse Riders for the NAF Crib Stop Spray, a powerful solution designed by NAF to deter your horse from undesirable biting and chewing habits. This spray is specially formulated with a distasteful flavour that horses find unappealing, making it an effective deterrent for biting on doors, ledges, and other hard surfaces. Known for its long-lasting effect, this spray is a must-have addition to your equestrian supplies.
Hydrophane Cribox Paint
Shop now for the Hydrophane Cribox Paint, a must-have for every horse owner. This product is not just any ordinary paint; it's a specially designed solution to protect your woodwork from crib-biting. Our traditional formulation, available at Just Horse Riders, has been modified for your convenience, providing a thin, uniform, and water-resistant covering. Easy to apply, this Cribox Paint adheres evenly to any woodwork, ensuring optimal protection.
Gold Label Stop Chew Spray
Shop now at Just Horse Riders for the Gold Label Stop Chew Spray. This product is an effective solution to your horse's cribbing habit. It works by deterring the behaviour with a bitter, hot tingling taste that your horse won't enjoy. It can be sprayed onto rugs, wood, or any surface your horse shows interest in licking, sucking, or biting.
Hydrophane Cribox Liquid
Ready to protect your horse equipment? Shop now for the Hydrophane Cribox Liquid. This clear, colourless liquid is your go-to solution for preserving the quality and longevity of your equestrian essentials like wooden doors, rugs, and bandages. Its unique formulation effectively deters chewing and gnawing, helping to maintain the integrity and durability of your items.
Additional Resources
- Jodhpur Collection
- Horse Riding Boot Collection
- Horse Riding Gloves Collection
- Horse Riding Socks Collection
- Horse Treats And Gifts
- Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements
- Stable Rugs
- Turnout Rugs
- Horse Fly Protection
Conclusion
Wood chewing in horses is a multifaceted issue that can stem from boredom, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or learned behaviour. By understanding the underlying causes and implementing effective management strategies, horse owners can prevent this behaviour and ensure the well-being of their equine companions. Increasing turnout time, providing adequate forage, enriching the stable environment, addressing nutritional needs, and using deterrents are all practical steps to stop wood chewing. Always consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues and to develop a comprehensive plan tailored to your horse's specific needs.
By taking these proactive measures, you can create a healthier, happier environment for your horse and protect your property from damage.
What can I put on wood to stop a horse from chewing?
You can apply deterrent products such as bitter-tasting sprays or pastes specifically designed to prevent horses from chewing on wood. These products are safe for horses and effective in discouraging the behaviour.
What are horses lacking when they eat wood?
Horses may chew wood due to nutritional deficiencies, particularly if their diet lacks sufficient fibre, minerals, or other essential nutrients. Ensuring a balanced diet with adequate forage can help address this issue.
What can I paint on wood to stop horses from chewing?
You can use specialized anti-chewing paints like Hydrophane Cribox Paint. These products are formulated to be distasteful to horses, deterring them from chewing on treated surfaces.
What paste stops horses from chewing wood?
Anti-chewing pastes such as Lincoln Crib Biting Preventative are effective in preventing horses from chewing wood. These pastes typically contain ingredients that taste unpleasant to horses, discouraging the behaviour.
