INHIBITION OF CRIB-BITING

Abstract: There is provided a method of inhibiting an animal from biting the wood structure of a stable or a wooden fence which comprises embedding in legths of the wood at a height at which the animal can bite them, a thin metal wire of from 0.5 to 2 mm thickness, connecting the embedded wire to an earthed return voltage source to produce an electric voltage of from 5 to 30 volts so that when the electrical circuit is earthed through the mouth of the animal, through the animal and to the ground or stable floor a weak electrical current flows through the circuit.

Description: Inhibition of Crib-biting This invention relates to a method of inhibiting animals and in particular horses from biting the wooden structure of a stable or an enclosing fence. Horses are intelligent animals and easily get bored. Often they try to relieve their boredom by biting the wooden structure of a stable (sometimes known as crib biting) and their strong teeth and jaws can ruin the wood structure of a stable very quickly. Three methods have been used in the past to prevent such damage. One method was to paint the woodwork with a substance which the horse did not like. But no suitable wood covering has been found which is either not-toxic to the animal or which does not have a smell unpleasant to humans. Another method is to reinforce the wooden structure of the stable with metal strips. But this is expensive and unsightly. A third method is to use an electric wire carrying a high voltage. This is effective but a lot of horses once they have touched the wire and received a shock refuse to return to the stable. Further it is a danger to other animals and children. The object of this invention is to provide a novel method of inhibiting a horse or other animal from wood biting. According to the first method of the present invention there is provided a method of inhibiting an animal from biting the wood structure of a stable or a wooden fence which comprises embedding in lengths of the wood at a height at which the animal can bite them, a thin metal wire of from 0.5 to 2mm thickness, connecting the embedded wire to an earthed return voltage source to produce an electric voltage of from 5 to 30 volts so that when the electrical circuit is earthed through the mouth of the animal, through the animal and to the ground or stable floor a weak electric current flows through the circuit. According to a second method of the present invention there is provided a method of inhibiting an animal from biting the wood of a stable or a wooden fence which comprises embedding in the lengths of wood at a height at which the animal can bite them two metal wires set close together and from 0.5 to 2mm thickness, connecting the embedded wires to a voltage source to produce an electrical voltage of from 5 to 30 volts so that when the animal bites the wood containing the two wires the animals saliva completes the electric circuit and causes a weak current to flow through the wires. The method of the present invention is of particular use in inhibiting horses from biting their stables and its use for horses is described hereinafter. Usfully a transformer of 100VA is used in the circuit. This is sufficient to produce a tingling sensation in the mouth of the horse so that the horse stops his biting of the wood. However, if any other part of the horse other than his mouth touches the metal wire no tingling sensation is felt. Similarly if a human hand for example touches the wire no tingling sensation is felt. However, the strength of the tingling sensation is not sufficient to alarm the horse to such an extent that the animal will not enter the stable containing the circuit which often happens when an ordinary electric wire carrying a low current at a high potential is used to protect the wooden fittings in a stable. Usually there is sufficient moisture on the floor of the stable to complete the electric circuit. If however, the stable floor is of concrete or brick and is absolutely dry this floor must be wetted to complete the circuit in the first method of the present invention. In the second method of the present invention no earthing through the ground is required as the saliva of the animal completes the circuit. In the methods of the present invention preferably the main voltage is used together with a transformer to produce the required low voltage of from 5 to 30 volts. In the first method of the present invention the transformer is earthed to provide an earthed return voltage source. Preferably the thickness of the wire is about 1mm. Usually the wire is made of copper. Animal's saliva is an extremely good electrical conductor because of its high concentration of salts. Furthermore the nerve ends of the tongue are highly sensitive. In both methods of the present invention preferably the voltage generator produces a steady all pulse voltage which may be used in all stables, either time pulsed or constant. It is to be understood that a single voltage generator can be used to provide the required electrical protection for several stables and in fact can protect a whole stable block. Usefully controls are present on the voltage generator facia to enable a high, low or medium voltage to be produced depending on the resistance of the circuit due to varying ground conditions in different locations.

Claims: Claims :- 1. A method of inhibiting an animal from biting the wooden structure of a stable or a wooden fence in a field which comprises embedding in lengths of the wood at a height at which the animal can bite them, a thin metal wire of from 0.5 to 2mm thickness, connecting the embedded wire to an earthed return voltage source to produce an electric voltage of from 5 to 30 volts so that when the electrical circuit is earthed through the mouth of the animal, through the animal and to the ground or stable floor a weak electric current flows through the circuit. 2. A method of inhibiting an animal from biting the wooden structure of a stable or a wooden fence which comprises embedding in the lengths of wood at a height at which the animal can bite them two metal wires set close together and from 0.5 to 2mm thickness, connecting the embedded wires to a voltage source to produce an electrical voltage of from 5 to 30 volts so that when the animal bites the wood containing the two wires the animal's saliva completes the electric circuit and causes a weak current to flow through the wires. 3. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a current of about 3 amps is produced in the circuit. 4. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a transformer is provided to produce the required low voltage of from 5 to 30 volts as an end-product within the system. 5. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the thickness of the wire is about 1mm. 6. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wire is made of copper. 7. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the voltage source produces a steady or pulse voltage.

Inventors: GROVES JEFFREY, GROVES, JEFFREY
Applicants: GROVES JEFFREY, GROVES, JEFFREY
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A01K13
IPC codes: A01K13