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 (see supplementary information) and return this in a prepaid return envelope. Reminder emails or postcards were sent
to volunteers who had not returned a completed survey
after three months and again at four months following
initial questionnaire dispatch. The study was approved by
the University of Liverpool Veterinary Research Ethics
Committee