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  Discussion on Has anyone tried the Vicebreaker to deter cribbing/windsucking?
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2000 - 5:42 pm:

I have a new 4 year old thoroughbred who learned to crib before I got him, while being trained for the track. He's now turned out with my other 3 horses in a pasture area where there's electric tape supported by fiberglass rods, so there's nothing to latch his teeth onto. So he hasn't cribbed for 2 months. When winter comes, I'd like to put him in another area where there's a wooden run-in shed and other temptations. I'm concerned he'll begin cribbing/windsucking again and, worse yet, may teach it to my other horses, ages 8, 12 and 15.
Has anyone tried the Vicebreaker, where the horse is fitted with a special collar, and the human can give the horse a mild electrical correction by using a transmitter from a distance of up to 1/4 mile, whenever he begins the undesired (from human viewpoint) behavior. The manufacturer contends that, after a few such corrections, the horse, especially when the habit is not long confirmed, stops the cribbing for good in 85% of the cases.
If the Vicebreaker doesn't work, my other option would be to keep him where he is (although he would be exposed to the elements) with a coat on. I live on Long Island, so our winters are not as severe as some other places. Yet we do get high winds and snow and temperatures in the single digits. I would much rather see him with other horses and with access to a shed.

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2000 - 7:50 pm:

I appreciate your concern for your horses and he should have access to your shed, if possible.
Although I don't have experience with the vice breaker it sounds harsh. First of all, to stop the behavior you would need to be within sight of your horse and ZAP him EVERY time he goes to crib. Otherwise, how would he learn the cribbing is why he's getting zapped, if he only gets zapped sometimes. Also, I truly doubt a few corrections of mild stimulation will alter his behavior.
This vice breaker reminds me of dog collars which are suppose to stop dogs from barking. I've seen dogs bark, get zapped and cry out from them and continue this pattern. I've seen dogs totally ignore them and I have yet to see one really work.
I would try the Miracle Collar. I would not worry about your other horses picking up the habit (of course keep an eye on things). Younger horses seem to be more susceptible to learning a vice such a cribbing. And if possible I would paint possible cribbing sights with a "no chew" type of product.
If you do end up having to leave him out, double check that your blanket is waterproof, not just water resistant.
Good Luck

Posted on Thursday, Oct 19, 2000 - 1:54 pm:

I should have said, in my earlier post, that it's a good idea to figure out why a horse is cribbing or wind-sucking. Changing the environment can sometimes stop the behaviors, although I know it is hard to completely stop a confirmed cribber/windsucker from those habits. I know that my gelding would be happiest at pasture where he could nibble all day long. There is no way I can provide that in Fairbanks, but once I move south in a year and a half he will have that type of environment. I try every way possible to meet his needs given my constraints. Kay in AK

Posted on Thursday, Oct 26, 2000 - 10:04 pm:

hello, if you find something that works let me know!! My mare is an awful cribber! I have tryed the mircale collar and it didn't work for me or should I say...her. I might not have had it on tight enough though. It's a hard call for me because I'm affraid its going to be too tight. She has free access to her pasture when ever she wants it. When she gets bored she will come in and windsuck for an hour!! So if you do discover something PLEASE let me know.
Tracy

Posted on Saturday, Nov 11, 2000 - 12:38 am:

Tracy..

Tighten up the miracle collar and it should work. It will seem too tight, but it will loosen slightly soon. Notice that when her head is down (as when grazing) it's a lot looser. Perhaps you could call Weaver, the manufacturer, to get tightness recommendations?

If your horse has a companion animal, preferably another horse, she will be less bored. Also, if you live in a moderate climate, you may be able to keep her out in the pasture 24/7, so she can't come in and windsuck. Maybe put a blanket on her on the cold/wet days.

I keep my young cribber in an pasture with electric fencing, so there's nothing to crib on and he doesn't need the Miracle Collar. If I take him to another area where there are "temptations", I put the Miracle Collar on. It works.

I was also thinking about parking my stock trailer in his pasture, and filling it with hay (which I'll use to feed him and his companion over the winter). That will give him a sturdy windbreak. Then, I might run an overhang off the roof of the trailer so he has shelter from the rain. He'd have nothing to crib on and he'd have some protection from the elements. And I wouldn't need any building permit... Just some ideas.

I'll soon be trying the Vicebreaker, which allows you to give the horse an immediate mild electric shock whenever he begins to crib. (You have to hang around for a while to watch for the cribbing) It's supposed to eliminate the behavior after the horse is shocked 2-3 times and learns to associate the shock with his actions. I'll report on the results.

One last thought: before I got my young cribber I asked a well-known Olympic show jumping rider whether he would take a cribber if he liked the horse. He said yes, he would, he'd just put the cribbing strap on. He also said some very smart & talented horses were cribbers. I asked if the cribbing strap didn't bother them, being on and tight so much of the time. His answer: he believes they're not bothered by it any more than we are by wearing a wrist-watch or belt -- they just get used to it and forget about it.

You can also try using those No-Chew products painted on where she cribs. But I imagine keeping her out in the pasture may be the best solution.

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 24, 2001 - 7:26 pm:

Have any of you tried the vicebeaker since the last post? I would appreciate it if you could let us know how it worked!

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2002 - 6:42 pm:

I purchased a lovely 8 yr. old TB/Han cross mare in October. She's a bit of a worrier but nothing really bothersome. Her problem is that she's a dreadful cribber. There is really no reason - she is out all day in a large pasture with my husband's QH gelding and our 2 miniatures. she just loves her stable mates so no problems there. I've never seen her crib so I would never be around to use the zapper, but in the morning, there are little piles of wood chips. Unless my minnies have learned to fly, my mare is cribbing her brains out at night. I tried 2 different kinds of spray stuff - to no avail. I just got the Miracle Collar but it does not seem to be working. I fear my problem is the same as another member's - it's not tight enough. Could the fact that she seems to worry about things - e.g. she nickers like mad after I bring her in but before the minnies come in, as if I might forget to bring them - be the reason for the cribbing? Or has she just acquired the vice and I will have to work with the collar until she quits. I can't blame the prior owner for non-disclosure - her stalls were metal and she didn't know. Any thoughts?
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