Owners and carers of horses or ponies that displayed
crib-biting/windsucking behaviour were recruited via
adverts placed in the equine lay press, online equestrian
forums and via the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital
(University of Liverpool) website. Adverts were also
emailed to yards and clubs affiliated with the British
Horse Society and were given to local farriers, livery
yards, veterinary surgeons and riding instructors. These
adverts contained a clear description of crib-biting/ windsucking
behaviour and no reference was made to any
potential relationship between these forms of behaviour
and colic. Participants responding to the adverts were
asked to complete a postal questionnaire (