The reasons people use the twitch device on a horse is restrain the horse for various stressful situations, such as treatment from a vet, farrier or dentist. The twitch is usually a stick like a handle with a loop of rope or chain at the end of the stick which is placed around the upper lip and tightened. The horse will get 'spaced' out while the twitch is on the lip. It is important that everyone involved stays calm when the twitch is being used on the horse. No loud noises around the horse to help keep the horse calm. It can be very helpful in an emergency situation where there no time to use a sedative on the horse, or a horse that as lost a lot of blood. |
There is another twitch and that is called a 'humane' twitch. It looks like clamps and that fit around the upper lip and you squeeze them together. Once the twitch is placed on the upper lip, the horse will start to calm very quickly. Some twitches can be attached to the headcollar. Twitching makes some horses freeze, enabling them to be treated. Some believe that twitching does not hurt the horse and that the release of the pain killing endorphins come into work once the twitch is applied. However, it seems logical that pain killing chemicals are released to extreme pain! Twitches do cause pain in the horse, but the endorphins that are released take over the pain, if used correctly! If the twitch is to tight, it will cause bruising and you might also see some soreness around the upper lip. Left on to long can cause the area twitched to 'die' through lack of blood supply! Farriers and vets know how to use a twitch correctly! |
Ear twitching should never be used. It can do so much damage to the horse. By twisting the horses ear can dislocate it!
It will also make your horse head shy and will not want to to touch around the ears or head after this.
A great deal of people will use sedition rather the twitch. The trouble with both of these methods is it not solving the problem the horse as in the first place!
Taking the time to train your horse to accept having their hooves trimmed or shod is helping your horse!
Is it not better for the horse? Is helping the horse to accept attention from the farrier, vet, dentist or even you, a better starting point then having to use drugs or the twitch?
It can take time to get your horse to accept the above, but believe me, you can do it!
Just think how much more relaxed your horse will be once you have trained them plus how you will be feeling knowing your horse doesn't need any help from the twitch or drugs!
When the horse cribs it releases the same endorphins as the twitch releases!
Remember........ A twitched horse can strike out with the front legs! Do not twitch a young horse. Once the twitch is used on the horse, she will not forget and will try to avoid this situation next time!
It will also make your horse head shy and will not want to to touch around the ears or head after this.
A great deal of people will use sedition rather the twitch. The trouble with both of these methods is it not solving the problem the horse as in the first place!
Taking the time to train your horse to accept having their hooves trimmed or shod is helping your horse!
Is it not better for the horse? Is helping the horse to accept attention from the farrier, vet, dentist or even you, a better starting point then having to use drugs or the twitch?
It can take time to get your horse to accept the above, but believe me, you can do it!
Just think how much more relaxed your horse will be once you have trained them plus how you will be feeling knowing your horse doesn't need any help from the twitch or drugs!
When the horse cribs it releases the same endorphins as the twitch releases!
Remember........ A twitched horse can strike out with the front legs! Do not twitch a young horse. Once the twitch is used on the horse, she will not forget and will try to avoid this situation next time!