[cd_horton]

I had a cribbing surgery done to a horse in Dec of 2007, it was successful and I am very happy with the result and minimal scarring...Dr. Collier in Field Store, TX did the procedure, in doing my research his name came up quite often, so he may be able to help you with a vet in NC that is doing the proceedure. In short, the incision is about 12" in length (it will look quite scary when you see it the first time), they use a laser to remove some nerve and muscles that the horse uses to crib, the amount removed will depend on the age and how long the horse has been cribbing. The muscles removed do not effect breathing, mobility, softness ect... My horse tried to grab and pull for about 10 days after the surgery, once he figured out he could not actually suck air he has quite grabing and pulling all together. After 14 days, the staples are removed and I started riding again after 4 weeks. I have found no ill effects from the surgery and the horse rides exactly as he did before hand.

You will find the success rate is dependant on how and aggressive the horse cribs...my horse just started to crib and only did it on occassion and the result is 100% successfull, however an older hores that has cribbed for years, may continue to "grab and pull" even though he cant suck air...if the horse has cribbed for many years he may have developed secondary muscles that assist him in cribbing, if these muscles cant be removed, the horse may still be able to crib, I believe it to be a more "risky investment" the longer and more agressive the horse cribs

[JBandRio]

I haven't kept up with the ramifications since I first heard of the surgery, but from what I do remember, this is not something to do if you have a dressage horse Just FYI.

[4hooves4me2]

I took a rasp and knocked off all the squared corners on Whinneys cribbing collar. Rounded them all off. Then it never did leave a mark on her again. IF you don't have them tight enough, they will make sores too.

[DancerLover08]

I feel your pain, I own a BAD cribber.

What I would suggest is a muzzle like this: http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT720638%20COB attached to a break away halter. It allows the horse to eat and drink freely, but stops them from grabbing anything, and it shouldn't rub either. I have also found that a dish detergent/hot spray mix works well. Even if you feel that ulcers are not the cause, I would try running your horse on Equi-Aid, a supplement that helps prevent and treat ulcers, and see if the cribbing improves. It is not very expensive.

[Ryle]

Whether your vet feels that ulcers is an issue or not, it wouldn't hurt to really rule them out prior to having surgery performed on your horse. Even horses with no known risk factors can have ulcers. And the simple fact is that many more horses than are diagnosed have ulcers.

[JBandRio]

Ryle is right - research is showing that 80-90% of horses at any given time have ulcers, however mild.

[Arabians4ME]

Others have mentioned some very good things and I would look into them all but regardless some horses will still crib. I have 2 rescues that are horrid cribbers.

Was this horse wearing a Miracle COllar? If it is ill fitting it will rub. I would make sure that it is properly fitting and put fleece's on it.

My rescue mare looked like this the day I got her, from an ill fitting MC. This was after many weeks of treatment, the sores went all the way through her ears.

I can't stress enough how important fit is.

*Clickable pics*






This is what it looke like when it was almost completely healed.

and she wears it without fleece's now and has no problems.

[Kicks]

Originally Posted by Ryle

Whether your vet feels that ulcers is an issue or not, it wouldn't hurt to really rule them out prior to having surgery performed on your horse. Even horses with no known risk factors can have ulcers. And the simple fact is that many more horses than are diagnosed have ulcers.

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Ryle is right - research is showing that 80-90% of horses at any given time have ulcers, however mild.

I'm with Ryle and JBand Rio on this. Ulcers are much more common in horses than many want to believe. Other than ulcers, my first thought when I started reading this thread was dietary imbalance - lacking somethiing in the diet.

edit added - as we are heading into spring now and getting warm, are you sure that it is the cribbing collar that is rubbing and not 'something' (fungal/bacterial/?) that is effecting the skin because it has a 'happy' place to live and grow?

[cd_horton]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

I haven't kept up with the ramifications since I first heard of the surgery, but from what I do remember, this is not something to do if you have a dressage horse Just FYI.

why would you not want to have it done to a dressage horse?

[beauxdatious]

I own a cribber. A girl at my barn has a horse that is REALLY bad... he got a shot of something it helped for two weeks. They are looking into surgery now...