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The stableizer, more humane than a twitch or torture device?

I'm looking for feedback on this product: http://www.thestableizer.com/
Only from people who have used it, are familiar with it, or are knowledgeable in equine pressure pints/ behavior. I keep an emergency twitch and stud chain on my truck in case of a horse emergency. I really dislike the twitch and have avoided using it when I should have to save people/ horses from injury. I would like to have a safety device handy that can bring even the most frightened injured horse under control so they can be treated or prevented from doing further harm.

This device has many claims of pleasure endorphins or at least calming ones. It looks like a fancy war bridle that uses gum and poll pressure, but might be more humane than a twitch which a horse fears if used once? It even states it can be used as a training aid... (Yeah right) but might be better than alternatives and drugs for clipping and shoeing. If my horse could actually learn that having someone trim his feet= pleasure?? real or not?
Please no comments like"oh, this looks horrible" or similar.
Thanks for the input so far!
Lisa, good to know you tried and it didn't work. The whole point of the device is for it to be easy to get on, keep, on and adjust on a panicked horse... then leave it be. The flopping cord could do some damage if the horse was still nutty! I don't think you're supposed to keep a hold of the device, just adjust it and leave it. But what a fiasco to adjust it! Turning a panicked horse in circles..... hmmm

Moodymare... Yes, yes, I'm not speaking of training issues, emergency. If the endorphin thing was true, it might be in interesting concept to help a horse past fear and anxiety in training, but I doubt it's really a good idea for this. Sad to see two derby runners were wearing this thing... while riding!

gurlhorse... It does look more humane than a twitch... if it works at all! gettign it on the horse looks like it would have to be done before the horse panics. I'm not psychic! LOL one thing nice about Valleyvet is that they Do take things back. :-)
Gillian... I can answer the Commanche twitch name. The Indians use a raw hide strap from poll to gum line on horses they were stealing. It supposedly kept them calm and quiet. Then a later invention called the war bridle I think from mouth to poll. I Do have a rope and a metal twitch 'humane' one man twitch. The rope is thin and looks so painful. Growing up we had a chain twitch or a stud chain run up along the gums. I always thought it was pain that kept the horses still, but maybe there's more to it?

Jeff... I sure would like a device to wear around the give me please 24/7. LOL! Never though of it that way. :0)) SO we might be looking at submissiveness to poll pressure and that's it? I can use my hand for that... and do. <g>

hwinnum... It does look a bit complex. You like rope twitches? Mine is so thin, it looks terrible, but you DO have more control over how much pressure you are using. My metal "humane" one is one setting only!

Has anyone used this thing with success??!
Anna Thanks for sharing! Curious.... why do you use it on the ones that are hard to twitch only? Which do you think is more humane for the horses?
Kicking Bear.. Now that's a new one! Bonaparte Bridle? I'd love a link (out of curiosity) if you find one. I can't seem to. I'll certainly ask... these the Europeans don't even use a good old stud chain or twitch much... even the vets. ?!
So is this gadget any different than if I took a 1/4" or 1/8" rope and tied it in a quick release knot around my horse's poll and gums... or even a looped lariat? Do those knobs on top do anything special? Seems like an expensive gadget... Maybe they are trying to idiot proof this so people don't make it too tight. Who knows! I would only consider it for emergencies or if it really did have a positive calming effect on my horse. I find that one hard to believe... So you use a similar, more original device? It's just another run of the mill restraining gadget, no happy horse utopia and sweet dreams?
Sounds like I'd better keep my money in my pocket and the ol' twitch as my back-up. At least until curiosity overwhelms me! :-)
Foxy.. Another vote for a fussy gadget from a user or this thing! I'm thinking too much work to get on your horse if it's rearing and plunging in panic from a wound. If you used this device for an entire week and didn't have the technique own, then I can't how it could benefit anyone or horse in an emergency. Hurt horse, scared handler, not thinking clearly... disaster! I could read the instructions and test it on my horse tomorrow. Next year when I need it in a hurry, I'd end up with a knotted pile of ropes and pulleys. ;-( Twitch it is.
Fillyba... That's the same twitch I have. I DO have a rope one, but it's still in the bag. I think they just give up and learn moving = pain. Their eyes always look scared, thus why I was looking at this stableizer. Doesn't sound like it's any better, easier, or more useful at all. Just expensive. Darn it.
KB...Thanks again, I'd be curious to see photo's of this. I'm having trouble visualizing how the loop around the lower jaw keeps the one on the gums in place?! When I look War bridle up on the Internet, I see three different things. one from gum to poll, another like a quick cowboy halter made from a lariat, and the last being the rope around the lower jaw that Indians rode with. ?

Tom & Amanda: Yes, this can be a dangerous tool in wrong hands, as can most things we do to horses. Now if a horse isn't under control with a stabilizer, chain, and several ropes on... that's pretty scary. The same with a twitch, I think only pain keeps them still, not relaxing. So no matter what, any contro device applied AFTER the horse is worked up looks rather useless. Again , this is the time when I would be looking got ad such a device, on an already hurt and scared animal. They also can't have fear of the restraint used. I guess with some pics from KB, i will try this on a quiet horse for reaction.
Ironically... I just came from the barn where my vet was scaring my sensitive horse. The usual food was not distraction enough, so I rand a thin rope over the gums, behind the ears and put enough pressure to keep it there. Either not enough pressure or useless. My horse ignored it and the vet gave up. Hes back in 4 weeks anyway. I showed him the photo of the stableizer and he's never even see such a device. LOL Will try again when horse is calm.

Public Comments

1. We had one especially for an Appendix stallion that used to stand up a lot and just be a moron and it had no effect on him whatsoever. Also you can see from the picture just how short the cord is that you have to hold and if they wig out, you can't hang onto them and then it's loose, flipping about their face. Personally I don't like them and not because I think they are cruel or inhumane, I think they don't have that much effect. I always use either a twitch or a chifney.

2. Sorry to post when I haven't heard of it but it sounds really interesting! As far as the endorphins thing, I had it in the back of my mind that I'd read an article about that but I couldn't find it again. There's a small article in the link below that claims that the endorphins theory isn't quite proven yet. I'll have another look for that article on twitching and endorphins.
I just read somewhere else that it wasn't a very good training aid to use although it's probably more efficient than a twitch for emergencies. For instance my horse feels something on her nose and she goes wild because she's been badly twitched in the past. Whereas she has a headcollar on every day which is basically what this devise will be to them in shape of it. I'd much rather teach horses by reward rather than restraint. Any type of restraint makes them extremely uncomfortable and so time after time they actually associate clipping (for example) with more pain, rather than pleasure. In my opinion restraints should only be for absolute emergencies like getting a sick horse on a trailer to urgently get it to the vet. Other than that, they are a quick fix for people unwilling to take time (although I admit it can take ALOT of time) and in a rush to do unneccessary things.

3. it sounds really good actually, besides the training thing. however... gettting it on the horse would probably be a different story! lol. my ex-farrier used to se a twitch on my horse. it was awful looking and hard to keep on. the stablelizer sounds a alot less inhumane than the twitch or running the horse endlessly so itll stand appropriately. i think its probably eal. but before you get... check on the return/refund policy that way if its a load of crap... you could return it or w/e. i'm sure its better than giving the horse injections each time. but still i wonder how the horse is gonna react to gtting it on each time.

4. I have seen this used and it is legal in the UK. We call it a commanche twitch, dont ask me why because I havent a clue but it is easier to apply than a standard twitch and works as well. I dont think it is any more unkind than allowing a horse to injure itself in a stressfull situation and it is no more unkind than the standard version. I would say I dont believe the standard one is unkind either if it is only used in difficult situations... the vet has a metal one that is much kinder and doesnt mark the nose.

5. I have never used such a tool, but I can tell you from the anatomical sense that releasing endorphins due to 'pressure points' has no scientific basis. Sorry but do you have points on you which release endorphins because someone pushes? If not then why do you look for magical places like that on a horse. I have always felt such ideas are romanticized nonsense.

They do like massages and scratches but pressure points are just that, points where a horse is sensitive or perceived as dangerous enough that they will not fight a device placed there. The back of the head is one because relaxing shows submission when another horse grabs them there to show dominance.

That said, the device may work as a restraining device and may even aid in helping to teach the horse to yield to pressure. Just do not expect magical results, I doubt it can deliver, but I think you figured that out on your own.

6. I haven't tried one of these, but it looks too complex to deal with and I don't believe it is any more humane than a twitch. Ideally a twitch should have a rope loop instead of chain, but they are hard to come by. It's usually easier to make one yourself. A twitch also works by releasing endorphins. When you leave it on for a short while before starting whatever you are doing to the horse, you can usually see the horse's head start to drop.I don't have a problem using a twitch when needed as it is easier on the horse than fighting with him. While the horse is cooperating, I'll let up on the pressure a wee bit. I only crank down when necessary. I make it up to the horse when we're done, by rubbing his muzzle to help get the circulation going again and giving him a horse cookie.

7. I have actually used the device successfully on several horses. We mainly use it on the ones that are impossible or dangerous to twitch. Never had to put it on a distressed horse, though, so not sure if it will be effective when they are already upset or stressed. You do set it and then do not have to continue holding on to the string part. I have not found it difficult to adjust or release the pressure. It has definitely made it easier to clip ears on some horses. As for how the pressure points work, not real sure. Anyway, just wanted to post a success story for you.

The hard to twitch ones prefer it to the twitch, so I guess they are pretty much telling me they like it better. Hadn't really thought about it, but thanks for giving me a little insight. To be honest, there is not much twitching that goes on in our barn, unless the vet is there. Most of our horses have figured out that clipping and such is much more pleasant without the twitch or the stablizer, as we always give them a chance to make that decision.

8. They used to sell it under the name "war bridle" You may have heard of it as a Bonaparte bridle (you did dressage training in France right?)

Does it work? On some horses it works great. It requires less hands than a nose twitch.

Is it more human? or Does it feel better? Well, I sure wouldn't wear it. Function comes first in my mind. If this is what your horse needs to hold still - then hey, whatever works right? However, like a nose twitch, some horses don't tale to it so well.

I learned how to do it with rope (the old way). That works well and I didn't have to spend any money to find out. Look up Bonaparte Bridle - something should come up.

Edit: Sorry about the link, I didn't realize it was that old. Basically you take a soft rope that is 1/4 inch thick, and tie a slip knot in one end. (A soft saddle rope works well) Put the slip knot around the jaw at the bars. Then run the rope up across the gums, and over the poll, then back to the bars and loop it infront of the rope across the gums. The rope on the jaw acts like an anchor to hold the rope in place when you let up pressure. When you pull on the free end it will tighten on the gum and poll at the same time. The only difference between that and the one you saw is that you need to keep one hand on the rope to keep pressure on.

In my limitted experience with it, I can tell you it works good on foals and yearlings. They don't move once you put it on. On larger horses, its 50/50 on how well they tolerate it. The rope method - again, sorry I don't have a picture - works nice once you know how to use it. That stabalizer product, it works well too, but it takes five minutes to untangle it, put it on, and size it properly. Plus if the horse goes nuts, it doesn't always come off easily.

If I find a picture I will e-mail it to you, or I will just take a picture of it on one of mine and send it to you.

FOR PEOPLE READING THIS - THIS IS A DEVICE THAT SHOULD BE USED BY EXPERIENCED HORSE PEOPLE. IT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE AND PAIN - IT IS NOT INTENDED FOR ORDINARY HORSE USE.

9. I have used this and found it way to complicated and difficult for what we wanted it... My trainer bought it thinking it would help us as we have many "hot and heavy" colts and stallions... and it did work on them and we found it quite effective on most... although it was totally rejected by a few of the stonger stallions who just treated it like a joke... however we used it for about a week before we where all so fed up with it we moved back to the twitch... when i had 20-30 horses to needle or had to move quickly to get on top of an injured stallion the twitch is just so quick and effective... I have never had a horse learn to fear the twitch.... because we always reward the horse for behaving well with the twitch and rub their noses afterwards... not sure if you where agreeing with that statement of just saying they said that.. but thought i'd add my experiences with a twitch...
So to some up my waffling... yes it worked on most our horses but no i wouldnt recommend it as i found it to "fiddly" and not user friendly to use...

10. Sometimes, with the yearlings, we have to twitch for various reasons. The one I am most comfortable with is called the "humane" twitch. It doesn't leave marks and the yearlings settle quickly. However some of the babies do carry a grudge and it takes more work to get them over it.

here is a picture

http://www.smartpakequine.com/ProductClass.aspx?productclassid=5229&cm_mmc=Froogle-_-Shopping%20Feed-_-NA-_-15229

I dont believe in the release of endorphins either, I think they just give up.

11. i have seen the stabilizer. i personally think its great. a trainer friend of mine uses one quite frequently. i don't see anything inhumane about it. i didn't mention while ago that my personal favorite is getting hold of the ear. it gets their attention really quick

12. um the other people are saying good stuff

13. I used one a few times, mostly on young yearling colts that had no or limited training. One in particular was extremely wild, and I had to use a chain, a stabilizer, and a 2 lead ropes and 2 halters to gain some control over him. Honestly, I felt that with the others I've used it on, I probably could have accomplished more long term without it, but on the short term it helped some.
It is a very severe restraint that I just think should only be used in the worst case scenarios, or absolute need-to-control-and-can't-work-with situations.

14. Certainly reminds me of a war bridle...not for use by novices.

Could be a dangerous thing in the wrong hands.

I'll pass on this one.

15. Never used one - checked it out on the website - looks daft.

I gave up on twitches when I saw a horse wreck a leg backing away from a twitch - he put his foot on a plastic drain cover which gave way and his foot got stuck down the drain - it wasn't pretty. The owner had told the vet the horse hated being twitched and he didn't listen to her.
I had the same thing happen to me while having a horse x-rayed; he was a bit on edge and the vet was nervous because of all the expensive equipment so he said he wanted to twitch him. This horse hated twitches and I said he wouldn't take it, they didn't believe me - and insisted - for safety reasons. They used the string sort which are really easy to over tighten - and the horse left the room - towing the vet.
I understand the need to be able to control panic stricken horses - but I hate the things. if a horse is really out of control not a lot will stop them.
A friend's horse had a fit - (he had brain tumour it turned out) stood up and flipped over backwards and was thrashing about on the road so she threw her coat over his head and tried to pin him down to stop him injuring himself - and ended up in a ditch.
There's no substitute for good training and common sense.

16. i know you don't want people answering if they haven't tried it, but i just have to answer.

i know that twiches wind around a horse's upper lip (one of the places). when you grab and squeeze a horse's lip (just enough to not hurt them), they kinda close their eyes, kinda like we do when we are getting a really good massage. this releases the calming endorphins, and vets have special clips that hold onto their lip. i have tried squeezing my filly's lip, and so has my trainer, when attempting to clip her bridlepath, and it really does work. i don't think having pressure on your gums and ears will release these endorphins, let alone calm the horse. i think it will make the horse freak out because it could very well possibly feel trapped. and if a horse spooked and pulled back his head... he could slice his gums with that thin string, put more pressure, causing more pain and fear. this device just doesn't seem like something i would want to use on a hot horse or a foal!

17. I have used a Comanche Calmer, it was ok but not quite what it was cracked up to be. I think it used the same pressure points as a twitch - which if used properly doesn't make the horse fear it. I have only had a problem with one horse using a traditional, rope twitch, and she just fought it - she is a dominant mare and fights anything of she gets stressed out.
I find the metal, so called Humane twitches very dangerous, and my friend was injured by one when the horse she was using it on flipped out. It also knocked one of the horses milk teeth out too! I would never use anything as solid as that on one of my horses, especially at human head level.
Some times we need to control a horse, they are too strong and big for us to over-power, so we need gadgets to help us