Cribbing is considered a form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) which is described as "...abnormal expressions of normal behaviors." A vice, on the other hand, is described as "...an unwanted and undesirable reaction that can be corrected through proper handling and training." (I especially love this and it caused me to smile as I have a mild form of OCD. Aw gee, Tucker and I have something in common. There I go comparing again.)
The cribber uses it's teeth on a stationery object, as a fence board, stall bar (as seen here) etc and pulls backwards while swallowing air and grunting. Apparently, it releases natural 'painkiller' called endorphins and makes the horse feel better.
Cribbing is not healthy for a horse's teeth or health as it wears down the teeth and can cause colic and/or inappropriate digestion. A special strap can be used around the horse's neck which prevents him from cribbing. The article also informs that if drug therapy is used to make the horse feel better, the cribbing will stop. (The drugs consist of some forms of anti -depressant, as they think this is a stress-related behavior).
There was more info in the article but this was the gist of it and I started thinking about my own stress-easing behaviors. I quit nail-biting years ago but still chew the skin around my nails (not good for my teeth), I shake my foot when I sit, turn my keys around and around on the key chain, etc. And OCD? I like to have things even, don't like the food on my plate to touch, want my clothes facing the same way, have to pull both socks up, etc. OK, there are some examples of each. Now I've come not to really care that I'm this way (where it used to bother me a great deal) because they don't hurt me and I actually not only find them amusing at times but at this point in my life consider these things to be endearing parts of my personality. I have the greatest respect for the psychiatric profession but if you thing that having to pull both of my socks up when only one needs it is an 'abnormal behavior', find something to do with your time. Sorry.....
Tucker, on the other hand, is negatively affected by his cribbing behavior as to his physical health, though beyond that, who cares? Why do we label everything these days, though I choose to look at it as a simple way to express a lengthy explanation. How would one know that cribbing is an obsession rather than a vice? How do we know that Tucker is stressed because he likes to do this? Kenner Ranch horses are usually only stalled when they're preparing to tack them up and ride them. Otherwise, they are either in a large corral or free roaming. I don't know all of the particulars of Tucker's past history but do not recall that he's been mistreated by previous owners. I know that, for his own well-being, the cribbing strap is used on him at times when his cribbing is witnessed.
Tucker obviously like the feeling he gets from his endorphin rush and I like the feeling I get when I separate my peas from my mashed potatoes - I can, at the very least, empathize with Tucker.
