[imacowgirl2]

Originally Posted by Quick2Skip01

If you absolutely have to get it done, and don't mind using a twitch, then I would try a twitch. It isn't a permanent fix or anything, but at least you will be able to get it done, and I would rather twitch a horse than pay to have a vet tranq it. Been there and done that, I used to have a mare that you could NOT get anywhere near with the clippers turned on. She had to be tranqed the strongest they could without her falling over, and she still fought the clippers, and had to be twitched while tranqed!!!

We had a mare like that...it was crazy. We would tranq her with enough to make most horses fall over, blindfold her and twitch her and STILL barely get the clipping done.

[DreamingInColor]

oh gosh, that reminds me a LOT of my little youngsters! they will do anything and everything to get away from the clippers, on OR off! well I worked with them both again tonight, and this time Freedom(the 2 yr old) actually reared up and struck out..it's like he gets worse every single time I know I need to clip tomorrow..so I guess I will in the morning. I guess I'll need to twitch them..but I don't know how to use one, anybody help me on that?? bleh sorry I've never had to use one before! well okay, hopefully somebody can reply back tonight so I will know in the morning! Making a trip out to a horse store in the morning anyway so I'll ask if they have one..thanks you guys

[DreamingInColor]

bump---come on guys I need help, please post! thanks

[DesertBred]

Do you have a twitch? Honestly I prefer the wooden handled chain twitch. The humane twitch pinches the nose and leaves marks. Do you have help? You will need someone to help you twitch your horses safely. Let me know what kind of twitch you have and then we can talk about how to use it.

[DreamingInColor]

I just bought 2 diff. twitches this morning DesertBred. The gal there said I would be better off with two, so I got two. anyway, I bought a humane twitch and a chain twitch(that was all they had). no, I'm not going to have any help I don't have anybody who can help me. I need some pretty quick replies everyone, it's 12:30pm and I have to clip them today. thanks guys!

[DesertBred]

Gosh, I have a hard time telling someone how to use a twitch for the first time without someone experienced there to help. It isnt difficult, but you have to know what you are doing. Have you ever seen one twitched? Use the humane twitch, you have to have someone holding the chain twitch. Did you get the one that has the string and clip attached to it? If so, that is one that you can clip to the halter so that you can clip at the same time. Let me see if I can find some pictures to help you out.

[DesertBred]

I dont know if this is a good idea....I think you better just take them unclipped honestly. You should have someone there with you to show you how to do this so that you or your horses dont get hurt. ....Is there no one around that can help you?

Here is a pic that shows how to put it on...see how the twitch was straddling her arm at first, then she just slid it up to the nose?...this is so that when you grab the upper lip you can slide the twitch right up there and then close it. You tie it off by wrapping the string around the bottom of the handles, and then you can clip it to the halter. There cant be any slack in the string. This should only be used for a few minutes...it is not a good idea to leave them twitched for a long time...I would only twitch them to do the ears...you should be able to desensitize them enough to do their feet. I want to CAUTION you!! This goes against my belief to tell someone that has never used one to try it alone....I really URGE you to find someone to help you.

[DreamingInColor]

no there really isn't anyone there to help. I can't take them unclipped, it's a breed show and theres the finest of the fine at them, it's only proper to take them clipped and looking neat and tidy. it's 5:33pm right now, I'm going to go down at 6:00 to do it. thanks for the information!!!

[DreamingInColor]

okay! I am back!!! I ended up being able to beg my friend into helping me YAY. so we also ended up using the chain twitch. Peaches(my yearling) gave barely any trouble at all with the twitch, I just put it on my arm, grabbed ahold of her lip, slid it on and tightened it and wha-la, the only thing she did was at first kind of put her head in the air and chewed the air, but then brought her head down and looked like she fell asleep, I had no trouble clipping her ears at all! Freedom was a bit more of a pain though, when I grabbed his lip he flung his head in the air, we had a heck of a time getting it on and finally had to get ANOTHER one of my friends for help. we had my other friend hold up his foreleg so he couldnt jump around like he kept doing and it worked out fine then, but he was a real ****** about it still. at first he was good and let it take it's effect for about a whole 2min. and then when i moved up to clip his ears he started striking, so we tightened the twitch more, and my god I didn't know how many times my friend tightened it before he finally stood still..but oh well, at least it all worked out in the end, they both look really snazzy now thank you everyone for your help!!!!!!!

[DesertBred]

I am so glad you got your friend to help. I was worried about you!

Next time, try without the twitch when you clip....if he doesnt allow you then use it. Give him the benefit of the doubt first always, then resort to more control. I am glad you got them all shined up! Be sure to post pics of your show!