A cross-sectional study on compulsive behaviour (stable vices) in horses

A researcher-administered survey study was performed involving 769 horses from 32 Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and pleasure horse stables in southwestern Ontario. Data were gathered on individuals (breed, age, and sex) and at the stable level (housing, management). The effects of these factors on cribbing, stall-walking, weaving, stall-kicking, tongue playing, and pawing were assessed by unconditional analysis (Chi-square, t test) and conditionally using stepwise logistic regression. Individual level factors had significant effects on most compulsive behaviours. Some stable level factors, in most cases, those related to type and amount of exercise, had a significant effect on the prevalence of compulsive behaviours when tested unconditionally, but were not significant if entered into a logistic regression model after stable type. Stall-kicking was more common in horses which had physical contact with other horses, and this factor remained significant in the logistic regression analysis. Stable level factors should be regarded as modulating factors rather than as causes and in some cases, may reflect an attempt to treat the problem. Increased turn-out of affected horses likely reflects an ineffective attempt to treat problems, while reduced forced exercise (riding, lungeing) of affected horses is more likely to represent a cause.