title: Role of diet and feeding in normal and stereotypic behaviors in horses.
abstract: This article reviews the effects of diet on equine feeding behavior and feeding patterns, before considering the evidence that diet affects reactivity in horses. A growing body of work suggests that fat- and fiber-based diets may result in calmer patterns of behavior, and possible mechanisms that may underpin these effects are discussed. In contrast, there is little evidence that herbal- or tryptophan-containing supplements influence equine behavior in any measurable way. The role of diet in the development of abnormal oral behaviors, particularly the oral stereotypy crib-biting, is also reviewed, and suggestions for future work are presented.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford, North Somerset, UK. b.hothersall@bris.ac.uk
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hothersall
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicol
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000502:physiology*