How to Stop a Horse From Chewing Things

Chewing in horses is both frustrating and destructive for the owner and can prove to be dangerous to the health of the horse. Splinters and small pieces of wood can find their way into the horse's teeth, gums, stomach and intestines, causing numerous health issues. The most common cause of chewing is boredom, though nutritional deficiencies may also play a part. No matter the reason, stopping it early is key.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Confirm the chewing isn't cribbing. If the horse is biting down on something and sucking air in, this is cribbing. If the horse is actually chewing the wood, usually leaving small pieces of wood on the ground, she's a chewer. Cribbing releases endorphins in the horse and can be an addicting habit that's much harder to break than just chewing.
2. Provide plenty of food and hay. A nutritional deficiency is the easiest source of chewing to fix. Provide ample food and hay throughout the day, as horses eat continually and not in large meals like humans. If your horse doesn't have access to a pasture, you should also provide him with a salt or mineral lick.
3. Offer your horse sufficient entertainment opportunities. Many feel boredom is the most common reason behind chewing, so make sure your horse stays stimulated. Toys and mineral/salt licks in the stall will give your horse things to do when there's nothing to eat.
4. Apply chewing deterrents to the wood. You can use metal strips on the wood edges. Another option is to apply special sprays and paints to make the wood taste and smell unappealing. Some even suggest mixing the horse's own manure with water and painting the wood with it, then washing it off after a couple days.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't attempt these solutions if you determine that your horse is cribbing. Cribbing is a behavioral disorder similar to obsessive compulsive disorder in humans and is not likely to respond to any of the above suggestions.