Tri-Tronics ViceBreaker H2 User manual

ViceBreaker®H2
Owner’s Guide
Remote Controlled Electronic Collar
Now Field Expandable!

CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations on the purchase of your ViceBreaker®H2. This remote controlled electronic collar is
designed especially for horse use. The ViceBreaker®H2 is used successfully by horsemen worldwide to
safely and humanely eliminate unwanted and dangerous horse behaviors. This product is veterinarian
and trainer tested and approved.
Tri-Tronics takes great pride in the design, manufacture, service and safety of all our products. Any
time you need customer support don’t hesitate to contact us. Customer service for your ViceBreaker®
H2 can be reached at [email protected] or 1-800-808-8423 (VICE). Visit us online at
www.tthorse.com.
Thank you for choosing the ViceBreaker®H2. We are committed to helping you, our valued
customer, eliminate dangerous or nuisance behaviors in your horses. Your complete satisfaction is our goal.
Product Specifications
Product specifications may change without notice or obligation sinceTri-Tronics is committed to a
policy of continuous improvement.
Certain Tri-Tronics products are covered by one or more of these U.S. patent numbers:
4794402, 4802482, 5054428, 5099797, 5193484, 5471954, D298872, 4947795, 4202293,
4335682, D410206, 6178439B1, D445706S, D446144S, 6549133, D445707S, 6750758, and
patents pending.
Owner’s Registration Reply Card
Please take a moment to complete and return the Owner’s Registration Reply Card. When you do,
your purchase of your ViceBreaker®H2 will be “on file” atTri-Tronics. This will help ensure timely
warranty work should you need it. You can also register your product online at www.tthorse.com.
Fourth Edition, August 2006
Published byTri-Tronics, Inc., Tucson, Arizona
Copyright © 2006 Tri-Tronics, Inc. • All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Feature Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Attaching the Collar Strap to Your Collar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Charging the Collar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Turning the Collar On and Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Fitting the Collar on Your Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Setting up a Multi-Horse ViceBreaker®H2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Setting the Stimulation Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
The Audible Buzz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Common Questions and Answers About Electronic Collar Corrections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Correcting Behavior Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Cribbing, Windsucking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Aggression Towards People, Kicking, Striking and Attacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Aggression Toward Other Horses or Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Wood Chewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Stopping the Hot Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Stall or Confinement Vices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Weaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Stall Kicking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
General Procedures for Correcting Vices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Other Vices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Battery Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Radio Signal Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
FCC Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Product Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Service and Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Troubleshooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Naturally you’re anxious to get started working on your horse’s bad habits, but please take a few minutes to
read this guide. Understanding the use of your ViceBreaker®H2 is key in successfully eliminating bad habits.
Page 1

Page 2 Page 3
Collar. The collar is the part the horse wears. The collar delivers stimulation to
the horse through the contact points on the collar. The collar is impact resistant
and waterproof.The light on the collar flashes when the collar is turned on, when
a signal is received, and changes color from green to amber or red when batteries
are low. The collar contains a rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery.
An optional “dummy” collar on its own collar strap is available for times that the
active collar is being recharged or for the rare horse that associates the correction
with the collar.
Collar Strap. The collar strap is handmade with a high quality leather. It has been
designed as a break-away strap. It has an elastic insert to ensure proper fit, contact
and comfort.
Collar Charging System. The ViceBreaker®H2 collar charging system consists of
an AC power supply (“wall cube”) and a charging cradle. The total time to recharge is
2 hours, and collars may be left on charge indefinitely without damage. The collar
charging system keeps the ViceBreaker®H2 collar batteries in top condition.
Lanyard. The lanyard attaches to the transmitter and enables you to keep it
conveniently around your neck.
Holster. The transmitter holster has a convenient belt/pocket clip.The transmitter
may be operated when clipped to your belt but its range will be reduced. For best
range, hold the transmitter away from your body.
Carrying Case. A rugged carrying case is included and will protect your unit
during travel and storage.
WARNINGS
Because of the variation in individual horse’s reactions, we advise the following:
Always use the lowest stimulation level that is effective with your horse.
• Always check the intensity dial on your transmitter prior to stimulating
your horse to make sure it has not accidentally been changed. • Do not use
in areas with low ceilings. • Do not use while riding. • Do not use while horse
is tied or cross-tied. • Do not allow children to operate. • Beware of striking,
kicking, rearing or head throwing. • Always place the collar on the same side
of the neck that you are on. Horses have a tendency to move away from
the stimulation. • Do not overuse. • Always use common sense.
COMPONENTS
Transmitter. The transmitter is the part you hold in your hand. When you press
a stimulation button (“L” or “M”) on the transmitter, the horse will feel electrical
stimulation. When you press the upper transmitter button (“BZ”), the horse will
hear an audible buzzing sound and not feel stimulation. Both the sound and the
stimulation will continue until you release the button, up to a “time-out,” at
about five seconds. The time-out is a safety feature.
The intensity of the stimulation is set by the numbered dial on the transmitter.
There are ten levels of intensity. The dots between the numbers 1 – 5 indicate a
level that is half way in between the numbered levels. See page 12 for how to find
the right intensity for your horse. The transmitter contains a 9-volt battery that
should be replaced if the transmitter light blinks rapidly when you press a button.
The transmitter is waterproof.

Page 4 Page 5
Collar Light
(“Fuel Gauge”)
Flashes twice per second
every four seconds when the
collar is turned on.
This light will be:
Green when the batteries are full.
Amber when the batteries are partly
discharged.
Red when the batteries need charging
very soon.
Rapid red flashing means the batteries
are completely dead and the unit will
not function. Note that it takes 20
seconds after collar turn-on for the
light to register battery level.
Collar Strap Retaining Loops
(“Belt Loops”)
Insert the leather collar strap through
all three belt loops and snug the strap
against case.
Battery Pack Access Screws
Remove these two screws to remove the
battery pack. Position the new pack in
place and replace the screws. (Note:
The battery pack does not need to be
removed for charging.)
Permanent antenna
Light
Intensity dial
(10 levels)
Buzz button
(sound only, no stimulation)
Horse selector dial
(horse 1, 2 or 3)
Medium stimulation button
Low stimulation button
Lanyard attachment point
FEATURE GUIDE
ViceBreaker®H2 Transmitter
Very important: Do not remove or
tamper with the receiver serial number
label that is visible when the battery
pack is removed. Doing so will void
your warranty. This label is a seal that
maintains waterproof integrity of
the collar.
The collar is waterproof.