Using A Twitch

Remark · 11-12-07, 11:08 AM

When and Why to use a Twitch. For those of you who aren't aware of what a twitch is, it's a device used to control your horse. It looks like a giant nutcracker and is used to pinch the lips. Once secured, it will keep your horse standing still and focused on his/her lips instead of you, your vet or whoever. The principle is that if you pull your lip out, as long as you stay still it won't hurt but if you struggle it becomes uncomfortable pretty quick (try it with your own lips...see..as long as you don't struggle...it doesn't hurt). Horses can get pretty jumpy and that's what makes them so dangerous. By using a Twitch, you provide safety not only for you but for your horse. Use a twitch while grooming your horse, clipping or for vet visits.

**alexis** · 11-12-07, 02:20 PM

Can a horse be injured if they struggle? This seems a tad over the edge for me, but then again trying to keep an animal that large still would be a tad over too.

Remark · 11-14-07, 09:57 AM

Yes, I should have mentioned that a twitch can cause injury in a horse that struggles if improperly applied or abused. Most horses will stop struggling if you grab hold of their top lip and allow you to properly attach a twitch but if your horse is in panic mood don't even attempt a twitch.

Sternchen14 · 11-23-07, 05:02 PM

I´ve got a question...: What do you mean with twitch? I do not understand this, please help me

Remark · 11-25-07, 04:11 PM

A twitch is a restraining tool that is clamped onto a horses upper lip. Horseman and women have long known that grabbing the upper lip of a horse can give you a measure of control but it's hard to keep the hold when a horse struggles. A twitch can be attached easily and without harming the horse. Many Vets and Blacksmiths require that a horse be twitched or in stocks before they will examine them. It's an inexpensive device that when used properly can provide safety for all concerned. Most horses adapt quickly to the twitch.

Sternchen14 · 11-26-07, 03:33 AM

oh, I see.. thanks. I´m not knowing this but for me it don´t call useful. i think its hurts the horses and so you can´t boost the affience to your horse. that´s my opinion of seeing pictures and reeding descriptions, i didn´t use it anytime or hadn´t even heard from it.

purpleparrit · 11-26-07, 01:06 PM

Here's a couple pictures for people who have never seen one:
Standard twitch
[img]http://www.doversaddlery.com/images/200/1014.jpg[/img]
One person twitch
[img]http://www.doversaddlery.com/images/200/1051.jpg[/img]

I've never liked the idea much of using one, but I can't argue that it works well and is probably the only way some horses will get the necessary hoof and medical care they need.

Remark · 11-26-07, 01:07 PM

If you want to know how it feels on the horse..try this...grab your upper lip..as long as you don't pull away or struggle, it doesn't hurt. Stay still no pain...pull away slight pain and discomfort.

Sternchen14 · 11-27-07, 11:25 AM

thanks you too! I´ve got an idea about a twitch!

11-12-07, 11:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
Remark Member Join Date: 11-01-07 Location: Alabama Posts: 25	Using A Twitch When and Why to use a Twitch. For those of you who aren't aware of what a twitch is, it's a device used to control your horse. It looks like a giant nutcracker and is used to pinch the lips. Once secured, it will keep your horse standing still and focused on his/her lips instead of you, your vet or whoever. The principle is that if you pull your lip out, as long as you stay still it won't hurt but if you struggle it becomes uncomfortable pretty quick (try it with your own lips...see..as long as you don't struggle...it doesn't hurt). Horses can get pretty jumpy and that's what makes them so dangerous. By using a Twitch, you provide safety not only for you but for your horse. Use a twitch while grooming your horse, clipping or for vet visits.

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11-12-07, 02:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
alexis Super-Moderator Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329	Can a horse be injured if they struggle? This seems a tad over the edge for me, but then again trying to keep an animal that large still would be a tad over too.

11-14-07, 09:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Remark Member Join Date: 11-01-07 Location: Alabama Posts: 25	Yes, I should have mentioned that a twitch can cause injury in a horse that struggles if improperly applied or abused. Most horses will stop struggling if you grab hold of their top lip and allow you to properly attach a twitch but if your horse is in panic mood don't even attempt a twitch.

11-23-07, 05:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sternchen14 Member Join Date: 11-23-07 Posts: 8	I´ve got a question...: What do you mean with twitch? I do not understand this, please help me

11-25-07, 04:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Remark Member Join Date: 11-01-07 Location: Alabama Posts: 25	A twitch is a restraining tool that is clamped onto a horses upper lip. Horseman and women have long known that grabbing the upper lip of a horse can give you a measure of control but it's hard to keep the hold when a horse struggles. A twitch can be attached easily and without harming the horse. Many Vets and Blacksmiths require that a horse be twitched or in stocks before they will examine them. It's an inexpensive device that when used properly can provide safety for all concerned. Most horses adapt quickly to the twitch.

11-26-07, 03:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
Sternchen14 Member Join Date: 11-23-07 Posts: 8	oh, I see.. thanks. I´m not knowing this but for me it don´t call useful. i think its hurts the horses and so you can´t boost the affience to your horse. that´s my opinion of seeing pictures and reeding descriptions, i didn´t use it anytime or hadn´t even heard from it.

11-26-07, 01:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
purpleparrit Member Join Date: 11-14-07 Posts: 25	Here's a couple pictures for people who have never seen one: Standard twitch [img]http://www.doversaddlery.com/images/200/1014.jpg[/img] One person twitch [img]http://www.doversaddlery.com/images/200/1051.jpg[/img] I've never liked the idea much of using one, but I can't argue that it works well and is probably the only way some horses will get the necessary hoof and medical care they need.

11-26-07, 01:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Remark Member Join Date: 11-01-07 Location: Alabama Posts: 25	If you want to know how it feels on the horse..try this...grab your upper lip..as long as you don't pull away or struggle, it doesn't hurt. Stay still no pain...pull away slight pain and discomfort.

11-27-07, 11:25 AM	#9 (permalink)
Sternchen14 Member Join Date: 11-23-07 Posts: 8	thanks you too! I´ve got an idea about a twitch!