Equine Self-Mutilation Syndrome is a type of stereotypy like cribbing, weaving, stall-walking or lip-flapping, generally associated with compromised welfare
Horses play with each other with their teeth and hooves, and young horses have not yet learned that playing with humans similarly is not on the agenda.
Although the physiological needs of today’s performance horses are more than adequately met, the fulfillment of their psychological needs may be lacking.