Shopping for a device to train cutting horses

Q:

I am thinking of buying a cowtrac system for training and tuning my cutting horses. I can't seem to find anything on the web from people who are actually using one who isn't associated with the company in a advertising or endorsing type of roll. Do you have any experience, positive or negative, with this product?

Thanks,Adam

A:

Great Question!

The Flag or Pro Cutter - or similar to the set up you are talking about....
The original flag was designed as a feed sack attached to a rope that on one end ran through a pulley and on the other end looped around an ancient stationary bike. A person would sit on the bike and run the sack back and forth for the
horse to work. Later, the Pro Cutter was developed. It is a sack or fake cow that is on a pulley system similar to the flag, but is driven mechanically by a control box on one end and manipulated by a remote control. With the Pro Cutter it is also
possible to train using a preset program. The advantages to these training tools are that they are relatively inexpensive, they let you get your horse correct because you can go at any speed you like (or as fast as someone can peddle), and they allow you to “pattern” your horse, or make him comfortable going straight across the pen. You are able to teach your horse the basics or clean up his movements without using up valuable cattle.

The disadvantages are that it can be hard to use the remote while riding, so you often need someone else to run it for you; the cow only goes right and left and has a very mechanical feel to it; and it is hard for a horse to learn to really read
a cow using this tool and the can become a little fussy because they can get bored.  ~ Allison

http://allisontrimble.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=302

here is a link to the video on the pro cutter....