The proportion of horses that had a previous history of
colic and the prevalence of colic in a population of
horses that exhibit crib-biting/windsucking behaviour
appeared to be high in the present study. Increased likelihood
of colic was associated with increased severity of
crib-biting/windsucking behaviour as assessed by the
owner/carer, increased duration of stabling in the
autumn months, feeding of haylage and individuals in
which eating forage was associated with increased
expression of crib-biting/windsucking behaviour. This
study has highlighted areas that require further research,
particularly in relation to nutrition and the risk of colic.
Knowledge of these risk factors may assist in identifying
crib-biting/windsucking horses that are at increased risk
of colic and managemental practices that should be
investigated further to determine whether these risks are
alterable.