Prevalence of and risk factors for colic in horses that display crib-biting behaviour.

Summary

# Editorial Summary: Crib-biting and Colic Risk in Horses Crib-biting and windsucking (CBWS) have long been suspected of predisposing horses to colic, yet the true prevalence and underlying risk factors remained poorly characterised in the literature. Escalona and colleagues conducted a detailed investigation into a population of horses displaying CBWS behaviour to quantify colic occurrence and identify specific management and physiological factors that elevate risk. The research revealed substantially elevated colic prevalence in crib-biters compared to non-cribbing populations, with particular risk associations linked to management practices, dietary composition, and the frequency/severity of the stereotypic behaviour itself. Beyond simply confirming the CBWS–colic link, the study pinpointed modifiable risk factors—such as forage type, stabling duration, and feeding management—that practitioners can address through tailored interventions. For equine professionals, these findings underscore the importance of viewing crib-biting horses as a higher-risk colic population warranting proactive nutritional and management modifications, rather than accepting colic as an inevitable consequence of the behaviour.

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Key Findings

• •Crib-biting and windsucking behaviour is associated with increased risk of colic in horses
• •Horses displaying CBWS have increased risk of colic recurrence
• •Specific forms of colic are associated with crib-biting behaviour

Conditions Studied