Cribbing, Gastric Irritation, and Antacid Therapy: Is There a Connection?

Cribbing is one of the most common stereotypic behaviors observed in horses. Characterized by grasping a fixed object with the incisors, arching the neck, and pulling backward while producing a characteristic grunt, cribbing has long been associated with digestive disturbances, particularly gastric irritation and ulceration¹. 

The Link Between Cribbing and Gastric Health 

Research has suggested that horses exhibiting cribbing behavior may experience increased gastric discomfort. Even cribbing foals had a higher incidence of gastric inflammation and ulceration than non-cribbing foals. This is because adult cribbing horses had significantly lower gastric pH values than non-cribbing horses, suggesting a more acidic gastric environment¹. 

However, the relationship is not entirely straightforward. Wickens et al. (2013) found no significant differences in gastric pH, gastric ulceration, or inflammation between adult cribbers and non-cribbers. These conflicting findings indicate that cribbing is likely influenced by multiple physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors². 

Evaluating Antacid Supplementation 

To better understand the role of gastric acidity, researchers evaluated the effects of oral antacid supplementation in adult cribbing horses. 

After 21 days of treatment, horses receiving antacids demonstrated significantly higher gastric pH values than untreated control horses. Mean gastric pH increased from 3.26 ± 0.23 in control horses to 4.14 ± 0.24 in treated horses (P < 0.05), indicating that the supplement successfully reduced gastric acidity¹. 

Interestingly, the increase in pH was still detectable approximately 14.5 hours after the previous dose, suggesting a prolonged buffering effect¹. 

Did Cribbing Behavior Improve? 

Although gastric pH improved significantly, the behavioral results were less dramatic. 

Antacid-treated horses exhibited fewer crib bites on average than control horses, but the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, no significant reductions were observed in total time spent cribbing or the number of cribbing bouts¹. 

Researchers did observe a carryover effect after treatment ended, with some horses continuing to crib less frequently during the washout period. This finding suggests that longer treatment durations may potentially influence behavior, although environmental factors such as feeding schedules, pasture conditions, weather, and daily management may also contribute¹. 

A Multifactorial Condition 

Increasing gastric pH alone may not eliminate cribbing behavior. While gastric irritation may contribute to the initiation or maintenance of cribbing, the behavior often becomes deeply ingrained and influenced by additional factors including stress, environment, management practices, and individual temperament. 

Consequently, successful management typically requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both digestive health and behavioral welfare. 

Conclusion 

Antacid supplementation can significantly increase gastric pH in cribbing horses, suggesting a beneficial effect on gastric acidity. However, improvements in stomach acidity do not necessarily translate into immediate reductions in cribbing behavior. These findings support the growing understanding that cribbing is a complex, multifactorial condition requiring both medical and management-based interventions for optimal long-term outcomes. 

References

1. Garcia LN, McCall CA, McElhenney WH, Taintor JS, Schumacher JO. Gastric pH and cribbing frequency of horses treated with an oral antacid. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2015 Feb 1;31(1):57-62. https://www.appliedanimalscience.org/article/S1080-7446(15)30007-3/pdf

2. Wickens CL, McCall CA, Bursian S, Hanson R, Heleski CR, Liesman JS, McElhenney WH, Trottier NL. Assessment of gastric ulceration and gastrin response in horses with history of crib-biting. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2013 Sep 1;33(9):739-45. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080612009082