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TESTIMONIALS > GENERAL
| Aggression Towards Other Animals |
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| | The University of Findlay Western Equestrian Program in Findlay, Ohio has a training program of approximately 300 horses. The horses are housed in stalls and come from all walks of life. With the numbers of horses that we have here there are always horses that come to us with bad stall manners. We have cribbers, weavers, stall kickers and horses that get aggressive at feeding. Tri-Tronics graciously donated two of their electronic collars for us to test on some of our horses that had problems. We have used it for about a year now and have been very satisfied with the result of the collar.
The Vicebreaker was used on a stallion that kept rearing over the stalls at other horses. This activity would make this horse sore in his hocks and could not be ridden. After about four sessions with this horse the activity ceased. At the present time we occasionally use the Vicebreaker on any horse that is causing trouble in the barns. We have become used to the device and know how to prevent some of the problems before they become a habit. It is a very useful tool. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to use the Vicebreaker.
Steve Brown
Director of Western Riding
Findlay University
Findlay, Ohio | | |
| | | I was a content bachelor for 44 years. This all ended on May 23, 1998 when I was married. After the vow 'for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health', my lovely new bride and I set about combining our two households. This included along with some furniture and cooking utensils which I had no earthly idea as to their purpose, her 2 large Quarter Horse geldings, a dog and a cat. This entourage was to join my 2 Arabian geldings and a cat. My wife's 'prize' Quarter Horse, Major, was a 5 year old gelding that had spent most of his adult life at various training barns. He was indeed a handsome speciman-16.1 hands of dark bay muscle and attitude. We both knew that his social and pasture skills were lacking but this social setting is a 'natural' thing for horses and should be a problem. My prized gelding was a 5 -year-old Arabian, Chico, out of a mare my parents had imported from Spain many years back. Contrary to Majors 'upbringing', Chico was raised in a very peaceful, closed herd consisting of his mother, and aunt and a cousin or two. My new bride and I were in anxious anticipation that our two favorite horses would fast become best friends and we would all spend countless happy hours on the trails together.
When the horse introductions were finally made, there was the obligatory raised tail, trotting and cantering around the pasture as my new wife and I proudly looked on. Suddenly, to our horror, Major decided that Chico was not worthy of existence in the pasture and he initiated a most vicious and devastating attack that left Chico trying to exit the pasture any way he could. After several hours of wound cleaning and suturing, we decided to give Chico a break and try again the next day. Over the next 10 days or so, it became painfully apparent that Major would not tolerate Chico's presence in the pasture. His attacks were planned and methodical. Chico would keep his distance but Major would gradually graze while slowly working his way in Chico' s direction, and then, like a stealth missile-ears pinned and teeth gnashing-he would launch himself at Chico and remove any flesh he could sink his teeth into. My response? Pharmacology! Acepromazine, Regumate, and even acupuncture staples in his ears! To my disappointment, the attacks continued-although sometimes a bit uncoordinated from the drugs-they nonetheless continued. At this point my wife and I were a bit at odds as to what to do with our 'children.' Our blissful marriage was being tragically tested by our dysfunctional horses and no amount of threats or 'glue factory' comments would alter Major from his chosen path. It was at this point, while I was bemoaning my lot in life, that one of my colleagues at the University suggested the ViceBreaker collar. My typical ' but what the heck,' I was desperate. Several days later the package arrived and I took it home, charged it up and strapped it on Major. My wife insisted on managing the 'shock' controller even thought I was more rehearsed in remote channel changing devices! My wife also believed (and rightfully so) that I would be tempted to administer enough voltage to light downtown New York for a week-just to stop Major from tearing my poor gelding apart. We watched patiently as Major plotted his attack and suddenly there it was the ears, the teeth, and the mission! Zap, my wife caught him in mid-flight, he stopped and reared straight up in the air. About an hour later he was on the hunt again, and a second time-Zap! With the same shocking wonderment! After about two weeks and 5 or 6 good shocks, Major has finally realized that Chico has some amazing power and the attacks have all but disappeared. The collar has not been on him for weeks now, but he still thinks about attacking from time to time. These malevolent thoughts are immediately followed by head shaking and returning to the business at hand-grazing. Thank you ViceBreaker-my marriage is intact, my horses are grazing in the same pasture, and life is good.
Mark V. Crisman, DVM Ms, Diplomat ACVIM
Professor, VA-MD Regional College of Vet Med
Blacksburg, VA | | |
| | | Dear ViceBreaker,
As I shared with you during our conversation, I am glad to write this testimonial regarding the use of the ViceBreaker. It has been a very humane method of handling vices in our horses that has prevented serious accidents. Recently I purchased a 17 hand thoroughbred mare that was trying to bully all of the other horses. She wanted to be the first to receive food and attention, and would do whatever it took to insure that she rules the farm. She is young and immature and her size just adds to the problem. When feeding the horses in the paddock, the co-owner of the farm was the brunt of one of her kicks that was actually aimed for another horse. Then she started on one of the geldings, he couldn't eat, drink or even enter the barn if she was in it.
I placed the ViceBreaker on her neck and adjusted the setting to the lowest level. When she headed for the gelding's feed, I pressed the button, nothing happened. I gradually adjusted the level each time until it was at the appropriate level for her to feel it. When she again decided to take over both feed tubs, and bite & kick to get them I pressed the button. She finally felt it and reared in reaction. She slowly walked toward her feed, stopped turned around and decided to try again. The gelding meanwhile, had not moved. When she almost reached his feed, I pressed the button again. She reacted and finally accepted the fact that she was going to have to eat her own feed that day. The next morning, we went through the same routine and she gave up and ate her own food.
The gelding has decided that he was the one who caused her to react, so he has gained confidence in standing his ground. The mare is not sure who caused her the discomfort since the ViceBreaker has a significant range. She has accepted the fact that it could have been the gelding.
The mare has become very well mannered and is respectful of the other horses and people. The gelding merely puts his ears back and the mare backs off. If she starts to push a horse of the way or starts toward the feed, I can reprimand her with voice only and she will instantly stop the negative behavior. She does all of this without any collar at all. The problem was solved quickly, efficiently and I now have a horse that everyone enjoys being around. Thanks.
Majorie Bowers
Dry Ridge, KY | | |
| | | Thank you Tri-Tronics for the product ViceBreaker built for horses. Not only do I thank you but “old Honker” would probably sing the praises of the ViceBreaker product more than anything. Let me explain!
I have a 3 year old gelding pony name Smokey. Smokey is a project I am working on for my 10 year old granddaughter Macie. At the rate I had been going, before I received my ViceBreaker, Macie would have been a grandmother before she could have enjoyed old Smokey. Smokey is the kind of pony that is into everything. If you leave it laying around he will tear it up. My pickup truck has Smokey bite marks all over the hood. Smokey takes the clothes off the clothesline but will not put them in the basket. Smokey can unlatch any gate on the place. Smokey has developed the awful habit of BITING and yes Smokey has killed 3 of my geese and until now Old Honker was pretty worried.
The directions say only work on one vice at a time so I chose the goose killing vice to start with. Proper care was taken to secure the device and get Smokey used to the way ViceBreaker felt around the neck. Step two was to herd the (remaining) reluctant geese into the corral where Smokey usually stays. Step three was to sit on my front porch and watch the show. As usual the geese quacked by Smokey. As usual Smokey lit in after one with his ears penned back to his neck. Just before he caught Honker I gently touched the button on my end of the device. Smokey stopped, looked around and proceeded after Old Honker. Just before D Day for Old Honker I gently touched my button again. Smokey went to his favorite rolling spot in the sand and tried to escape the problem. Nothing doing. Smokey got up and followed Old Honker up into the two foot wide working shoot attached to his corral. At the very back of the working shoot Honker turned around and faced Smokey eye to eye. This time Honker backed Smokey backward completely out of the working shoot and to this day Smokey has a new found respect for Honker, along with gates, pick-up trucks and clotheslines. By the way a 10 year old little girl is going to be thrilled come Christmas morning.
Larry Innerarity
15200 South U.S. Hwy 69
Huntington Texas 75949
(936) 422-3428
lscdf@lscdf.com
www.lscdf.com | | |
| | | To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to thank you for such a wonderful product. I have successfully used the ViceBreaker on two aggressive geldings that I owned at separate times that were both 'pasture bullies'. If a new horse was turned out to pasture, Max (the most aggressive) would bite and chase the newcomer relentlessly, I had to treat cuts and mend fences many times. As time went on, the horses settled down, but Max would still bully the others.
When the ViceBreaker came, I couldn't 'wait to try it'. I put it on Max, turned the horses out and watched. Max pinned his ears, rushed his first victim and 'Zap!' -stopped immediately. He snorted and trotted around not knowing what just happened. When he went after his victim again, he received another 'zap'. The instant response is amazing. Within two zaps, peace had returned to the pasture. Max is such a good horse except for this one bad vice. At least I know I can control it. If a new horse comes to the farm, I place the ViceBreaker on Max and turn the horses out. If he needs a zap, he gets one as a reminder and everything is fine.
I love the way the horses 'don't associate me with the punishment', in fact, Max sometimes came to me bewildered, looking for security. I'm sure it was the best (only?) solution to my problems I have peaceful pastures and my family can enjoy our nice old riding horse. I have had such positive results that I would highly recommend the ViceBreaker to anyone with a horse problem. A good horse is hard to find and if you can cure or control that 'one vice', the ViceBreaker is priceless! Thank you again!
The prompt, courteous service is beyond compare! Yours is BY FAR the nicest company I every dealt with.
Kathy Morey
Camden, NY | | |
| | | We were having trouble controlling the behavior of our alpha gelding. His attacks on one of our new horses resulted not only in excessive kicks and bites but several incidents of running the newcomer through the electric fence. We tried a number of approaches to encourage harmony, but nothing worked.
After reading an article written by a professional horse trainer in which the judicious use of the ViceBreaker was suggested for a number of undesirable behaviors, we bought a ViceBreaker and gave Naiche his first lesson. It took three separate sessions to eliminate his abusiveness. We kept the lesson to no more than an hour. Punishment was administered only for blatant aggressive behavior, like rushing with teeth bared, positioning hindquarters to kick, etc. The first session, we used the ViceBreaker 3 times, the second session 2 times and the last session only once. It seems that Naiche quickly associated the stimulation with the negative behavior. The change was quick, dramatic and long lasting.
Although he is still alpha, his behavior has never reverted to that unacceptable aggressiveness. It has been at least a year since we first used the ViceBreaker. It is a very effective tool when used properly. We found that it is best to use the least amount of stimulus possible to encourage behavior change. Timing is also very important. We have supervised the use of the ViceBreaker with horses in other herds and have found the results pretty much a duplication of our experience.
Regards,
Bernie and Randee Blackburn
Mondovi, WI | | |
| | | It is my belief that any organization that runs on the premise of care for the customer cannot help but succeed. You are part of a rare breed in today's world.
This is my account of your product. I have a beautiful, 8 year old, black Morab mare. She is sweet-affectionate to children and obedient to people. Call her any anytime from the pasture and without hesitation she comes.
She had one bad, bad, bad vice. She was what grandpa called a 'mean mouth horse'. She ran at other horses with ears back and teeth bared as if it was her desire to destroy. It was not just a nip but also a strong bite. At times one bite did not seem to satisfy her and she would trail her victim, biting again and again. As she became worse, I confined her to a paddock with 8-ft fences. My ViceBreaker came and the next morning I went into action. I place the collar around her neck and turned her loose in the pasture. Immediately, she attacked her favorite victim and without her seeing me I pressed the 'zapper' around my neck. It was comical to watch her reaction. She seemed to think, 'What happened?' Never in my years has this happened. Two hours later she tried her favorite victim but was rebuffed again. The rest of the day there was serene peace. The next day she tried one more time and with ears back she attacked her favorite victim. I zapped her again. I have had the collar off for 6 months.
Peace is worth the trouble!
Maurice Z Cofer
Zen Arabians
Walnut, CA | | |
| | | I have purchased and used your ViceBreaker and like it very much. I like it so much that I am ordering 2 more of them!
Working with three mules, it was very hard to break them of some annoying habits. Pawing, stomping, biting, and chasing smaller horses away from their food were just some of the things they would do. I put the collar on the worst offender first and then waited out of sight after feeding the horses and mules. The mule with the collar on quickly finished off his feed and headed for my yearling gelding. At about 10 feet away from the gelding, I hit the button at about mid range setting (a nice feature being able to tailor the degree of correction needed). The mule stopped briefly, shook his head and then continued toward the gelding. At about 5 feet, I hit him again. This time he stopped in his tracks and stood there shaking his head and probably wondering how this seemingly small gelding could repel the powerful likes of him. After watching the gelding eat for a few minutes, the mule made one feeble attempt to advance toward the gelding. I then zapped the mule for the 3rd and last time. The mule never bothered the gelding again. In fact, sometimes when the gelding finished eating first, he would advance toward the mule and the mule would get ready to turn and run!
The reason I want the 3 ViceBreakers is invariably I would put the collar on the one mule that would decide he was going to be perfectly behaved that day. With collars on all three mules, I can decide which one to correct. The ones doing a good job, nothing will happen to them (a strong reinforcement for them being good).
When my friend see the results, they always ask where they can get one or 3. It is amazing to me some trainers who have worked with horses many years still haven't heard of this helpful device.
Gene Boshart
Shedd, OR | | |
| | | The ViceBreaker is a unique and valuable training aid in my barn. I have a client's horse that is very aggressive during feeding time. In his stall he kicks constantly while he eats. We have placed his hay in various locations in his stall. We have also moved him several times trying to find a horse he might tolerate. He has made it clear to us that he simply hates every horse, and that he doesn't want to be next to anyone at mealtime. His aggressive behavior even continues in the outdoor paddocks that are 50 x 50. He charges the fence and kicks wildly during feeding time. I used the collar only one time in the outdoor paddock. It was unbelievable! Within 20 minutes he chose to eat peacefully. This new behavior lasted for several months after the first initial period, at which time he needed a small reminder. The kicking in his stall also subsided and I never even used the collar in his stall! The owners were thrilled. The stall and his hocks are no longer taking a beating. I love the ViceBreaker for what if offers my horses and me. It just makes sense.
Gitza Peterson
Brimfield, IL | | |
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| | I purchased one of the early models of the ViceBreaker collars. It was a last resort to try to correct a severe aggression problem in one of my broodmares. I was amazed – the first day I used the device, I had to “zap” her three times – and that was it! Problem solved! It also worked wonders when used on my 17-year-old stallion. He would run the fence line constantly. He was losing weight and had worn a trench over two feet deep! In his case the correction took about three days and the behavior was not resumed. That was almost four years ago.
I also have to say that your staff is always a pleasure to deal with – very helpful, informed and professional. Also you customer service is second to none! Thanks for a great product.
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| | Diane Roe |
| | Chapel Hill Arabians/Mineral Creek Thoroughbreds |
| | Mineral, WA |
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| | Dear ViceBreaker,
I have had good response with the electronic training device. I first used it to stop a draft mare from kicking other horses in the lot. It tickled me to be able to stand nearby and be able to control her kicking. She quickly got a lot better. I am now using a different level on a Percheron draft stud. I needed it mainly to keep him from pawing the fence and chasing other horses. When he would head toward the fence, I would press the button and he would turn around and go the other way. The same was true even if he was chasing geldings far out in the pasture. He is a different horse now. Thank you.
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| | Darwin K. Morgan |
| | Bloomingdale, GA |
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| | Dear ViceBreaker,
I can’t say enough what a great help this device has been to my farm. My husband and I own a boarding farm with a million personalities. This has made introducing new horses to a herd much less stressful and dangerous. The barn is a lot quieter at feeding time also. Just wanted to let you know it has been a great assistance. Thank you.
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| | Lisa and Bruce Mann |
| | Northampton, PA |
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| | I’m convinced, this works!! I have a studly young gelding that was mounting mares constantly. Since he had been doing this from a very young age, this was a learned behavior problem. My vet gave me 3 options - “sell him, drug him, or build another fence.” I didn’t care for any of them. I tried an herbal potion (a substitute for regumate), and that made no difference. I decided to give ViceBreaker a try – and it was my last try.
After a few carefully timed “zaps” I noticed a change in the studly gelding. He would no longer wait at the gate, for a returning mare, nor would he nicker for her. He no longer charges at the gate, when I lead a mare out. It’s a pleasure to go riding now. I also noticed that he is so much easier to catch, and now follows me everywhere! ViceBreaker has given this young horse an extended stay on my farm. Thank-you!!
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| | Peggy Ambrosch |
| | Troy, PA |
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