Tri-Tronics^®, Inc.

P. O. Box 17660

Tucson, AZ  85731

support@tthorse.com

1-800-808-8423

ARTICLES & EDUCATION

Miscellaneous Nuisance Behaviors

• Leaning Over or Through Fences
• Opening Gates or Stall Doors
• Removing Tank Heaters or Water Hoses

The following are all nuisance behaviors that may have dangerous consequences.

1. Leaning over or through fences. This is usually an expression of "the grass in greener on the other side" rule. These horses will reach, stretch, get down on their knees or cut off their air supply to reach that "greener grass" on the other side of a fence. The consequences of this are many. The horse can be cut or tangled in a fence. They can rub off the hair on their mane or body leaving bald areas. They can break boards and posts or stretch wire. In some cases they can completely push a fence down, allowing all the horses in that area to escape.
2. Opening Gates or Stall Doors. Almost every barn has a "Houdini", the horse that can open any door, gate, or container with his nose. The consequences of this behavior are many. Horses can be injured by being mixed with strange horses when their gates are opened. Horses can founder or colic by getting into feed storage areas and overeating. Horses and people can be in great danger if they escape onto a road.
3. Removing Tank Heaters or Hoses. Many horses cannot resist pulling the hose or tank heater out of the water tank. The hose can be firmly attached to a faucet or valve and the tank heater can float or sink. It makes no difference. These horses seem to delight in the challenge and will work at it tirelessly. The obvious consequence to this behavior is that the horse or horses will go without water, either because the tank does not fill properly or because it has become frozen. Either of these can lead can lead to dehydration and colic.

These are just a few of the nuisance behaviors that can have serious consequences. The ViceBreaker^® can quickly cure these, and many other nuisance behaviors without the horse relating the correction to the owner.