Experimental and survey research studies conducted
within the past 15 years have provided a wealth of knowledge
regarding the potential causal factors involved in
crib-biting behavior. This information has been used extensively
to help increase the awareness within the equine
community on how the routine management of horses can
affect their behavior and welfare. These studies have also
given professionals engaged in the study of equine behavior
a framework from which to generate additional hypotheses
and research questions related to the development and
continued performance of crib-biting behavior. Some of the
specific areas meriting additional investigation include the
use of learning tasks in assessing the role of brain function
and further study of the gastrointestinal environment
in crib-biting horses, application of genetic techniques
to identify specific genes involved in the behavior, the