Study of crib-biting and gastric inflammation and ulceration in young horses.
Nineteen young horses that had recently started to perform the stereotypy of crib-biting were compared with 16 non-stereotypic horses for 14 weeks. After initial observations of their behaviour and an endoscopic examination of the condition of their stomachs, the horses were randomly allocated to a control or an antacid diet At the start of the trial, the stomachs of the crib-biting foals were significantly more ulcerated and inflamed than the stomachs of the normal foals. In addition, the faecal pH of the crib-biting foals (6.05) was significantly lower than that of the normal foals (6.58). The antacid diet resulted in a significant improvement in the condition of the horses' stomachs. The crib-biting behaviour declined in most of the foals, regardless of their diet, but tended to decline to a greater extent in the foals on the antacid diet.
Nicol
C J
CJ
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol BS40 5DU.
Davidson
H P D
HP
Harris
P A
PA
Waters
A J
AJ
Wilson
A D
AD
D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006736:Horses; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014886:Weaning
D000863:Antacids