Stool in horses: causes, effects and effective management strategies

Cribbing is a much-discussed topic in the equine world that concerns both animal owners and experts alike. This stereotypical behavior, in which horses suck in air and produce a characteristic burping sound, can have serious consequences for the horse's health and well-being. In this article, we explain what horse burping is, why it occurs and how horse owners can break the habit.

What is couping in horses?

Cooing is one of the so-called stereotypies - repetitive behaviors with no apparent purpose. There are two main forms:

• Touching down: The horse places its teeth on an object such as a fence or trough, tightens its neck and sucks in air.
• Free-popping: Here the horse sucks in air without using an object.

Both forms can have long-term negative effects on the horse's health and well-being. Cribbing is often seen as a symptom rather than a problem in its own right, as it is often linked to factors such as stress, under-exertion or physical complaints such as stomach ulcers.

Why do horses balk? Causes at a glance

Cribbing is a stereotypical behavior that often indicates health or husbandry problems. Horses develop this behavior when their basic needs are not being met or when they have health problems. The most important causes can be divided into the following areas:

Stomach problems as the main cause

Gastrointestinal diseases, especially gastric ulcers, are a major trigger for couping. These are often caused by stress, incorrect feeding or long breaks in eating. Horses will dock to produce saliva, which neutralizes stomach acid and relieves discomfort.
Studies have shown that many docking horses suffer from stomach ulcers, suggesting that the behaviour serves as a kind of self-medication. 

➡️ Video tip: Stomach ulcers - recognizing stress and pain! Find out how posture and training conditions cause stomach ulcers, what symptoms occur and why a gastroscopy is essential for diagnosis - all the important information in the video!

Housing conditions and stress

Horses are social animals that spend a lot of time with other horses and exercise in the wild. Isolated stabling without sufficient social contact and exercise can lead to boredom, frustration and stress. These stresses are often triggers for stereotypical behaviors such as cribbing.
Another problem is a lack of mental and physical stimulation. Horses that are bored look for alternative activities to compensate for the lack of variety. Couching becomes a kind of outlet for pent-up stress.

➡️ Reading tip: In our article on species-appropriate horse keeping you can find out all about the different forms of horse keeping, legal regulations and much more.

Feeding practices and their influence

Feeding errors play a central role in the development of behavioral disorders such as cribbing. Horses are designed to spend most of the day eating fiber-rich food. Long breaks between feedings, a lack of roughage or a high amount of concentrates can lead to stress and stomach ulcers - both known risk factors for founder.

➡️ Video tip: What feed does my horse need? Dr. Patricia Sitzenstock explains why continuous feeding reduces the risk of intestinal problems, how to choose the right hay and which basic elements of feeding you should consider - for a happy and healthy horse!

Genetic predisposition

Some studies suggest that genetic factors may also play a role. Certain lines of horses appear to be more susceptible to stereotypical behaviors such as bucking. Nevertheless, the heritability of this behavior has not been conclusively clarified

What are the consequences of a horse's cribbing?

Couching in horses is not just a behavioral problem, but has far-reaching health consequences:

Tooth damage: 

Repeated contact of the incisors with hard surfaces leads to wear and tear or even serious tooth damage. In the long term, this can make eating more difficult and cause pain.

➡️ Video tipDental care for horses - prevention is the be-all and end-all! Dr. Carsten Vogt explains why regular dental check-ups are important, how dental treatment works and what makes the horse's teeth so special - for the optimal health of your horse!

Colic: 

It used to be assumed that sucking in air colic could trigger colic. However, more recent findings show that air does not usually enter the stomach. Instead, the underlying problems such as stomach ulcers increase the risk of colic.

➡️ Video tipColic - the danger of incorrect feeding! Learn how to prevent colic by feeding the right amount of feed, high-quality hay and sufficient water and what to look out for when feeding after colic - important tips for your horse's health!

Weight loss and muscle atrophy: 

Horses that spend a lot of time docking often eat less. This can lead to a calorie deficit, weight loss and, in extreme cases, muscle atrophy.

➡️ Video tipMuscle growth in horses - focus on nutrition and training! Find out from Dr. Patricia Sitzenstock which nutrients are crucial for muscle growth and how you can support your horse ideally through clever training and optimal feeding - for strong and healthy muscles!

Increased risk of injury:

Horses that knock on fence posts or other unsuitable objects risk injuries to the mouth and head.

What can be done to stop a horse cribbing?

The management of foundering horses requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account both medical and environmental causes. 

Is it possible to get horses out of the habit of barking?

Many horse owners ask themselves: "How can I get my horse to stop napping?" It's important to understand that couping is often a symptom of underlying problems. However, a combination of medical treatment, species-appropriate husbandry and optimized feeding can significantly reduce couping.

Prevention of founder in horses

The best strategy is to prevent couping before it occurs:

• Reduce stress: A calm environment and clear routines are crucial.
• Minimize feeding breaks: Avoid long feeding breaks and ensure access to roughage.
• React early: First signs such as licking objects or changes in behavior should be taken seriously.

Conclusion

Stooling in horses is a complex and often misunderstood behavior that can pose serious health and management challenges. A combination of medical treatment, improved husbandry conditions and species-appropriate feeding can significantly improve the welfare of foundering horses. At the same time, the focus should be on preventive husbandry to avoid behavioral disorders in the first place. Horse owners who pay close attention to the needs of their animals can make a valuable contribution to the long-term health and satisfaction of their horses .

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about balking in horses

What is couping in horses?

Cribbing is a stereotypical behavior in which horses suck in air, often accompanied by a burping sound. There are two main forms:

• Touching down: The horse places its incisors on an object such as a fence or trough and sucks in air.
• Free-popping: Suction takes place without contact with an object.

Why do horses poop?

Horses often dock due to stress, boredom, incorrect feeding or health problems such as stomach ulcers. Genetic factors can also play a role. Horses kept in isolation or with long breaks between feedings are particularly at risk.

Is horse couping dangerous?

Yes, couping can cause long-term health problems:

• Tooth damage due to the placement of the incisors.
• Weight loss and digestive problems.
• Increased risk of colic.
• It is also an indicator of underlying problems such as stomach ulcers or stress.

How does couping develop in horses?

Cribbing usually occurs when the horse's basic needs are not being met. Common triggers are

• Stomach ulcers, which can be alleviated by choking.
• Stress and frustration due to isolation, lack of exercise or lack of activity.
• Incorrect feeding with long breaks between feedings or too little roughage.

What can be done to stop a horse cribbing?

The most effective measures are:

• Veterinary examination, especially for stomach ulcers and dental problems.
• Optimization of husbandry conditions, e.g. through grazing and social contact.
• Adapt feeding: Round-the-clock access to hay and reduction of concentrated feed.
• Create activities such as play balls or hay nets.
• No popper straps, as these do not solve the problem.

Is it possible to get a horse out of the habit of barking?

It is difficult to stop docking completely, as it often serves as a coping strategy. However, the behavior can be significantly reduced through a combination of stress reduction, species-appropriate husbandry and veterinary treatment.

What are the health consequences of docking?

Long-term cribbing can lead to the following problems:

• Tooth damage due to frequent positioning of the incisors.
• Weight loss, as horses that are sick often eat less.
• Increased risk of colic in horses with stomach ulcers.
• Injuries caused by unsuitable objects when docking.

Why do horses start to poop?

Horses start to vomit when they suffer from stress, frustration or boredom. Common triggers are isolation, lack of exercise, incorrect feeding or health problems such as stomach ulcers.

Is stooling in horses hereditary?

There are indications that couping may be genetic. Certain horse lines appear to be more susceptible, but the inheritance has not been conclusively clarified.