Electronic Horse Collars

[Kelli]

Today while at the feed store, I got into a conversation with this guy about horses. He was telling me about a horse he was training and started talking about the electronic horse collar. He is using it on a horse that has a rearing problem and said from his experience, it fixes just about any behavioral problem. Apparently you can adjust the level of shock and most horses only have to be shocked less than 10 times (in his opinion) before they associate the shock to whatever they are doing to receive it. The good ones run around 400-500 dollars.

Just wondering if anyone had ever used one of these collars, or thoughts on whether this would be a useful training device.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I have never heard of one :eek: It doesn't seem to me that it would work on a horse the way it does on a dog. It seems that it would incite the predator/flight response out of a horse, especially if they don't know where the shock is coming from.

Shock collars creep me out anyway. I wouldn't use one on a dog either, I feel too sorry for them.

[Kelli]

I am glad I am not the only one that hadn't heard of them. I was thinking the same thing about the flight response. They actually had one for sale at the store and he took time to show it to me and explain it. This guy could have been selling them, he was so high on them.

I don't think I would use one either.

[zoel_222]

There was a thread about them awhile ago. Most people seemed to think it would not be a good training tool, but maybe would work as a vice breaker for wood chewers/cribbers etc.

[miatapony]

Well all of you Clinton Anderson .. lovers out there hold on to your seats... he endorses them ... yup....

[WashingtonBay]

I believe in them for difficult dogs... nothing better for teaching off leash obedience than an e-collar.

I could see their usefulness with horses only in situations where you're trying to train them 'not' to do something... But it would be limited by your time sitting there with the button watching.

[Rabid_Raccoon]

I once worked at a kennel and we had two large German Sheppards boarding. We couldn’t get them to listen because their owner trained them with a shock collar but we weren’t permitted to use it (not that I would have, because I don’t know how and would have been afraid I would hurt them). Then again, it probably didn’t hurt that the dogs were trained using German commands which none of us knew ;)

I don’t think I would use one on a horse, either. If anyone should, it would have to be a well trained professional. I would definitely not put one of those in the hands of a beginner... that's my opinion.

[lacyloo]

I don't see an issue with it, IF only experienced hands are using them and the horses have serious issues. What could it hurt? Especially if the horse is one strike away from a truck to Mexico.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I guess in my limited understanding, pain is not a good training tool for horses. But I do use electric fencing, but then the horse is in control and chooses not to touch it. Kinda like avoidance therapy or negative reinforcement.

[gabhainn]

I guess in my limited understanding, pain is not a good training tool for horses. But I do use electric fencing, but then the horse is in control and chooses not to touch it. Kinda like avoidance therapy or negative reinforcement.
It is the same thing, rear + get shocked = dont do it again....or push against electric fence + get shocked = dont do it again, so whats the difference?.....Kevin

[Remali]

Well, for those "professional" trainers who really have no clue how to train a horse in the first place I'm sure those guys love 'em. Not at all shocked to hear CA likes 'em (no pun intended). Basically a tool for people who have no idea what to do so they resort to gimmicks.

[Buckpoco]

I could see where they might work on a very dull, pushy horse. But a sensitive horse I would image would be freaked by it.

If it were used for kicking or biting...it might work. My mare kicked her stall at feeding time...we had the walls padded but she still gave herself bad hocks. I could understand its usefulness there. In most situations I'd imagine it would make a horse very, very nervous.

[lacyloo]

It is the same thing, rear + get shocked = dont do it again....or push against electric fence + get shocked = dont do it again, so whats the difference?.....Kevin

Thats how I looked at it. Then again alot of people are just going to look at it like "omg poor horsez".

I would like to see one in action and the effects etc...

[cowgirlup@idaho]

It is the same thing, rear + get shocked = dont do it again....or push against electric fence + get shocked = dont do it again, so whats the difference?.....Kevin

The horse is in control of the fence situation, the horse decides to get off the fence so controls the shock and the length of the shock, the timing is perfect.

I don't know how a collar works so I assume :rolleyes: it has human control to deliver the shock. Too much room for error and inconstistency, just my opinion.

[dustys_girlly]

a trainer i used to work for had one. she used to use it on a Frisian stallion she had. for her it was for safety. he could get himself so worked up around mares that there was nothing anyone could do on the ground to get back his attention so she tried the e collar and it helped a lot. he was great in the saddle but he was just one of those stallions that would break down walls to get to mares.

[gabhainn]

To clarify I dont use one, but I also dont use electric fence either. I honestly dont see the difference in either........Kevin

[WashingtonBay]

I thought of a situation that would be a good use for an e-collar. My pony used to bang on the gate at feeding time... Actually she would start about an hour before she thought it should be feeding time. It was really irritating... and it was something she would only do when we were home and she could see us through the window.

I would come out and yell at her, run her off, etc... it was a big game for her. I even ran out and sprayed her with the hose, but she would run out of range and stand there. :p And come back and bang again as soon as I went back in the house.

I set her up once with the spray nozzle on the hose fixed to the post on the gate so that it was aimed right at her. And I could turn the hose on out of view on the side of the house. So I sat there and waited and sprayed her right in the face when she did it.

She didn't do it again for a long long time.


An ecollar could do the same thing. Stop an unwanted behavior like feeding time stall and gate kicking that usually takes place when you are present to act on it. Stuff like cribbing that takes place when you aren't there, not so much.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, for those "professional" trainers who really have no clue how to train a horse in the first place I'm sure those guys love 'em. Not at all shocked to hear CA likes 'em (no pun intended). Basically a tool for people who have no idea what to do so they resort to gimmicks.

Well, not everyone has a high horse quite like yours :p

[Oreos Girl]

Julie Goodnight described using the collar on one of her horses that was extremely horse aggressive. They put him in a pen next to a gentle easy going gelding and everytime he went to attack they shocked him. This horse is now able to be turned out with other horses because of this. She does state that you want to be out of obvious sight (you can watch the horse but the horse isn't aware you are there) and the horse act natural when you do this kind of training.

[Kelli]

Julie Goodnight described using the collar on one of her horses that was extremely horse aggressive.

The guy I was talking also uses a collar for this.

As for rearing horses, its just like the old tale of cracking an egg or water balloon on the horses head. Some people swear by it, others laugh at the notion. Anytime this man's horse's front feet come off the ground while he is riding, he gives a it little shock. The horse then associates the shock with his feet coming of the ground. According to him, problem solved. I guess with anything some may like it and use it, others may not see it as being beneficial.

[natisha]

I wouldn't use one if I was riding the horse at the time-I'm not that brave
I'd sure like to use one for cribbers or a mean to other horses horse.
I'd only use one specifically made for horses though. I read somewhere that horses are extremely sensitive to electrical impulses. That's why they will sometimes refuse to drink from a tank with a bad heater, even if it is not felt by a person. It doesn't take much.
No matter how good a trainer is there is nothing you can do about a behavior a horse does on it's own time.

[Tiz]

I'd be scared to zap a horse while on it, too. Maybe the jolt was set so mild that it was just irritating.

[shewasmyshadow]

I would have loved one of those for my mare when she'd chase Rashad all over the place.

And I don't think the shock is as bad as you think it is. I always tried out my dog's training collar settings on myself. It wasn't bad at all. It sure got her attention fast, though. Worked like a charm.

In the wrong hands it could be bad, but lots of things are like that.

[WashingtonBay]

I'd be scared to zap a horse while on it, too. Maybe the jolt was set so mild that it was just irritating.

If you're on the horse, assuming that what lies between you and the horse is perhaps neither perfectly conductive nor perfectly insulating, what would keep you from getting shocked as well?

Frankly, using one while on the horse is something that would never occur to me. If you're on the horse, or even touching the horse in any way, it would seem you already have better alternatives to deliver whatever correction you want.

E Collars are best as "remote" trainers, I think. Something that will work when you can't touch them.

[Kelli]

And I don't think the shock is as bad as you think it is. I always tried out my dog's training collar settings on myself. It wasn't bad at all. It sure got her attention fast, though. Worked like a charm.


Just a thought but wouldn't it be great if they made these collars for men. Anytime they did or said something we didn't like, we could just give them a little jolt. :D I would be one of those in the wrong type of hands person, because I would zap my boyfriend just for fun. :p

[WashingtonBay]

Makes note that we should perhaps make some calls to warn Kelli's boyfriend... ;)

[natisha]

Just a thought but wouldn't it be great if they made these collars for men. Anytime they did or said something we didn't like, we could just give them a little jolt. :D I would be one of those in the wrong type of hands person, because I would zap my boyfriend just for fun. :pI can do that without a man collar;)

[WashingtonBay]

...cont...

Natisha's boyfriend, of course, should already have a pretty good idea of the risks involved...

[shewasmyshadow]

Just a thought but wouldn't it be great if they made these collars for men. Anytime they did or said something we didn't like, we could just give them a little jolt. :D I would be one of those in the wrong type of hands person, because I would zap my boyfriend just for fun. :p

LMBO!!! :hysterical: Yeah, the dog collars would probably fit well on a husband. :innocent:

The whole invisible fence system would probably work well with it too. That would keep hubby close by. ;)

[Kelli]

Makes note that we should perhaps make some calls to warn Kelli's boyfriend... ;)

You wouldn't........would you???

I can do that without a man collar;)

Now this I believe. I've heard that you have ummm...a special way with men. :D

The whole invisible fence system would probably work well with it too. That would keep hubby close by. ;)

If only women ruled the world.....lol. Natisha could be our leader. :clap:

[JackieB]

Just a thought but wouldn't it be great if they made these collars for men. Anytime they did or said something we didn't like, we could just give them a little jolt. :D I would be one of those in the wrong type of hands person, because I would zap my boyfriend just for fun. :p

Oh you're hilarious. :rolleyes:

[Kelli]

JackieB, you weren't supposed to see this. :innocent: You know I am really sweet and innocent and would never do such things. ;)

[shewasmyshadow]

JackieB, you weren't supposed to see this. :innocent: You know I am really sweet and innocent and would never do such things. ;)

I'll go to my grave swearing it is true. :D

[Petra]

If you're on the horse, assuming that what lies between you and the horse is perhaps neither perfectly conductive nor perfectly insulating, what would keep you from getting shocked as well?

Frankly, using one while on the horse is something that would never occur to me. If you're on the horse, or even touching the horse in any way, it would seem you already have better alternatives to deliver whatever correction you want.

E Collars are best as "remote" trainers, I think. Something that will work when you can't touch them.


You wouldn't get shocked. I have carried dog over the fence line when it ran out. Dog got shocked and I felt nothing.

Also one of the horses I was training accidentally backed in to a hot fence when I was on it. I didn't feel a thing. And actually the horse didn't even jump that much.
I'm sure it depends on a horse. But if the horse is desensitized to a lot of stuff, it learns to remain in control of itself when there is a rider on, even if it hurts.

[WashingtonBay]

Once long ago, I backed into an electric fence while adjusting my horse's bridle. I had a hold of the bit, and I felt nothing and she jumped back. I shocked her through me. As soon as she broke contact, I got shocked. I felt really bad about it because I got her right in the mouth through the bit.

Electricity is a magical thing!

[Country Girl 43]

Once long ago, I backed into an electric fence while adjusting my horse's bridle. I had a hold of the bit, and I felt nothing and she jumped back. I shocked her through me. As soon as she broke contact, I got shocked. I felt really bad about it because I got her right in the mouth through the bit.

Electricity is a magical thing!

That's because you were also touching the ground. ;) Look at birds on hot wires... they don't get zapped, but if they touched the ground while having contact with the wire... bye bye birdie. :rolleyes:

[WashingtonBay]

I understand the birds... but if the horse is grounded, and I'm on the horse, why aren't I grounded as well, through the horse?

[Country Girl 43]

I did try one of these on our cribbing horse once. It worked as long as I was there watching her. She did stop cribbing in one area, but of course found a different area when I was not there. For something like this, I would think you would have to be camped out with your horses to get the timing everytime.

I don't think I would want to be on the horse either and have it zapped. I've seen how they react and to it..... yeehaw!!!!

[Country Girl 43]

I understand the birds... but if the horse is grounded, and I'm on the horse, why aren't I grounded as well, through the horse?

The saddle and pad work as an insulator. ;)

[WashingtonBay]

OK - maybe... but it may or may not be a perfect insulator. So take that out of it. Assume bareback.

[Country Girl 43]

If you are on the horse, you would not be touching the ground. (like the bird)

Now if you are on the ground, holding your horse, the current goes through you to the final exit point (the horse) You might feel a tingle, but if you let go of the horse you have broke the ending connection and you are now the target.

I used to do this with my friends growing up. We would have a line of us about 4 or 5 and all hold hands. I would grab the wire and the person on the end would always get zapped! All of us in between didn't feel anything. Of course I also stood on a piece of wood. That also helps as an insulator. ;)

[Country Girl 43]

It's hard to explain, but my father is an electrician and he taught me all these neat little tricks with hotwire. ;)

Having rubber soled shoes and standing on a piece of wood, you can test an electric fence without getting the full force of the "zap". But always use the BACK of your hand to test, because if your shoes are wet, you could get a good jolt and grabbing a hot wire will make your hand CLOSE around the wire.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, I'm not sure I get that it's like the bird.

But I don't think I'll try it to test if further.

[Gem's Mom]

We have a set of shock collars for our dogs that work off the same remote. I've never gotten them to work (probably a dead battery somewhere) but have thought more than once that they would be fun to have on hubby and his friend when we're all hanging out. Us wives could keep hold of the remote and zap the guys accordingly. We could have prevented many shenanigans if only we had working collars...

[WashingtonBay]

They have to be really tight to work on a dog... particularly dogs with thick hair.

I used one on my lab... and I would use the prongs for long haired dogs, tighten it pretty well, and sometimes, wet his neck to make reliable contact.

[Country Girl 43]

Love these bark collars

YouTube - Man Wears a Dog Shock Collar

[Petra]

They have to be really tight to work on a dog... particularly dogs with thick hair.

I used one on my lab... and I would use the prongs for long haired dogs, tighten it pretty well, and sometimes, wet his neck to make reliable contact.

Ours are not really tight. The long haired lab mix has to have the longer prongs though, but they work wonderfully! It keeps my dogs in their area very well.
They learned it within first few days. Now they hear the peep and back away from the hot zone. I've been using these for almost 3 years and love them. The only set back is that if the battery goes dead they figure it out within couple of days.

BTW the reason you don't get shocked when the dog has the collar is because the charge picks the easiest path which would be from one prong to the other. That's why you don't feel it holding on to the dog. As far as sitting on a horse it would work the same with the collar.
If you sat on it bareback and the horse would be sweaty, you may be able to feel it. However I'm not sure if the charge is strong enough to carry through dry clothing and in to you. The voltage would have to be much higher for you to get a good shock. It will travel from the point the horse touched the fence in to the point where its feet meet the ground.

[AUEquine]

It's hard to explain, but my father is an electrician and he taught me all these neat little tricks with hotwire. ;)

Having rubber soled shoes and standing on a piece of wood, you can test an electric fence without getting the full force of the "zap". But always use the BACK of your hand to test, because if your shoes are wet, you could get a good jolt and grabbing a hot wire will make your hand CLOSE around the wire.

Someone should explain this to my husband. He was installing the new autowaterer on the trough one day, and our troughs run under the fence so that two pastures drink from one trough. Hubby didn't think to turn the fence off, the trough is next to the gate so there is only the top wire running over it so the horses don't get shocked while drinking. Well hubby gets all into what he's doing and forgets about the fence. He has both knees leaned against a metal water trough, and a ball cap on (remember those little metal pieces at the top). Well that little metal piece on top touched the fence, and went straight through him to the trough. Knocked him out for a second, he came to, felt like he'd been kicked, and couldn't remember what he was doing. And this is the super fence... it's the one that runs the entire cow pasture and the 7' tall 7 strand stud paddocks! OUCH!
Guess I don't need to use the dog's shock collar on hubby... he can do it himself!

But on the original subject, I do use shock collars on my dogs. One for barking, one for chasing the horses. The lab had a bad habit of chasing the horses. She's actually very well trained (professionaly), but her one button was the horses. I could call her back usually but if she got going to fast and too far from me before I noticed it was hard to get her back. Shock collar worked great! As far as on horses.. never tried it. I feel it would work well with some horses (maybe not your really flighty really sensitive ones) and mostly on vice training. I could see where it could be useful to stop a cribber, pawer, chewer, etc. But I'm not sure where I'd see the benifit for under saddle training and such. Maybe for a bucker/rearer... I dunno.

[natisha]

I think the biggest worry about shocking a horse you're sitting on is being able to ride the reaction.

[Buckpoco]

It's hard to explain, but my father is an electrician and he taught me all these neat little tricks with hotwire. ;)

Having rubber soled shoes and standing on a piece of wood, you can test an electric fence without getting the full force of the "zap". But always use the BACK of your hand to test, because if your shoes are wet, you could get a good jolt and grabbing a hot wire will make your hand CLOSE around the wire.

Hmmm...two weeks ago my husband decided to test the electric to see if it was on...he forgot he had wet gloves and was holding on to the metal gate....needless to say:innocent:

[Oreos Girl]

Hey Buckpoco (misspelled your name in the other post) are you in Tennessee yet?

Sorry to highjack the thread