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Jean E. Dvorak
I have an 18 year old Thoroughbred, Toby (To Be Or Not To Be), that began cribbing at age 3 or so as a result of being turned out in the morning with neither hay nor grass at a boarding facility where I had not control over his feeding. He started chewing fences and soon began cribbing. I tried absolutely every cribbing collar--except a spiked one--I could find with no success. I even had acupuncture with staples in his ears done to stop his habit. He wore a muzzle for a while at one farm which protected the fencing but did not stop him from finding a way to crib without holding on with his teeth.
When I moved him to my home, I just surrendered and decided to put up with it. I did treat Toby for ulcers hoping that might help, but again, no success. I put the Barclay's collar on him about three weeks ago. He cribbed a few times, I adjusted the collar so it was reacting properly and ever since I have not seen him crib once. Even when I feed him his "after ride" carrot, a sure trigger for him to crib--nothing. He will occasionally go over to his stall ledge, "think about it," and then not even put his mouth to the wood.
I was concerned about Toby's cribbing, even at his age, because he has colicked several times and since all were gas colics, I strongly suspected the cribbing was the cause. We've been lucky with the colics, but any colic, even a mild short lasting one, is a worry. I am hoping that by eliminating his habit, he will live a much healthier life. I tried a battery operated electric "horse activated" collar before, but the fit was such that the cribbing technique my horse uses did not trigger it. That is not so with the Barclay's collar. So far, you can add one more amazing story to your collection of successes.
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