What causes self-mutilation behavior?
Some horses have an explosive, violent reaction to pain, and may be performing self-mutilation in response to pain such as that from colic, foaling, abdominal abscesses, gastric ulcers, twisted testicular cords, kidney stones, or other illnesses or injuries. Increased stress due to training, showing, or introduction to breeding may trigger the behavior. Other triggers may include the anticipation of feeding, the presences of other horses or their urine or feces, or even changes in the weather. How can self-mutilation be eliminated? Temporary Fixes: Physical restraints, such as neck cradles, muzzles, shock collars, and protective wraps or blankets, are sometimes used to help protect the horse, although preventing certain behaviors (such as biting) may evoke even more violent behaviors (such as lunging against the wall or throwing himself to the ground). Others have found keeping the horse in a tie stall rather than a box stall eliminates the behavior. Drugs, including long term tranquil
