Cribbing (horse)

Koppen is a behavioral disorder of the horse and is like weaving to the stereotypes.

Koppen refers to the opening of the pharynx by tightening the lower neck muscles, after which air flows into the esophagus. This usually results in a clearly audible noise, similar to a burp in humans. There are two types of Koppen. When Aufsetzkoppen the horse sets the upper incisors on a subject of appropriate height, the neck is bent sharply. This may be the manger (hence the term " nativity Coaster" ) be a bar or something similar. Some horses detect the object with the teeth. When free Koppen the horse moves his head only to the chest and then in a jerky movement forward. Aufsetzkopper occur much more frequently.

Causes

The causes of this behavior disorder are not fully understood. Demonstrated, however, that horses with insufficient employment opportunities, lack of exercise or lack of contact with conspecifics rather tend to Koppen. The Koppen can therefore be a response to boredom. A concentration of this behavior can be observed especially in intelligent and performance horses. So Koppen is recorded for about five percent of all horses and even exceeds ten per cent of all thoroughbred horses. Furthermore, studies have shown that in certain breeding lines the Koppen occurs much more frequently than in others. Again, a connection with inherited intelligence / motivation are accepted.

Furthermore, a link between poor feeding, that is, in particular, too little roughage, and the Koppen could be produced. Recent studies suggest that the Koppen stimulates the production of gastric acid and may thus promote the development of gastric ulcer.

Follow

The consequences of Koppen are excessive training of neck muscles and Aufsetzkoppern increased wear of the upper incisors. In some places a link to the occurrence of colic was made, but could not be detected as a direct result of Koppen. In this respect, the Koppen usually has no serious consequences for the horse, but is mainly perceived by the owners as disturbing. Koppen was one of the responsible defects that were subject to 2002 in the purchase of a special law.

Therapy

It is very difficult to achieve, that a horse that has started to Koppen, again ceases. Of course, should be optimized in each case keeping and feeding and excluded the possibility of a gastric ulcer. To remedy the symptom of the Koppen and not the causes, there are various therapies. Pharmacological therapy is the administration of antagonists such as serotonin. After discontinuation of the drug the horse starts but immediately koppen again.

The Kopper belt is a collar that will complicate the tension of the neck muscles and can achieve success if it is used very early.

In the surgical treatment necessary for the Koppen neck muscles (musculus sternocephalicus, sternohyoideus and sternothyroideus ) are rendered inoperable. This therapy has a high success rate, the prognosis is also here the better, the sooner the horse will undergo surgery.