[dustyboy1209]

Hey everyone.
So, I have heard some interesting thoughts at the barn where I board my horse about twitching, some that I agree with, others that I don't.

To my understanding twitching releases natural endorphins in the horse to help calm and relax them, instead of sedating the horse with drugs. I have seen both the twitch with a chain, and the twitch with just two poles on a hinge(bad explanation, sorry), also called the humane twitch.

Just wanted to hear the thoughts, scientific explanations, and such from all you geniuses here! Thanks!

[Chester]

I personally think that twitching is more of a brick on the toe effect.

Have a sore finger, drop a brick on your toe, see which one you notice more.

I prefer to use a skin twitch applied to the neck. No chance of harm that way.

[Beeks]

I have only seen a twitch used once. My horse was experiencing a mild colic and the vet wanted to take a fluid sample from his stomach via a needle through the abdomen into the stomach. He was a pretty laid back guy anyway, so she thought twitching would work better. It was the "humane" style. She said it gives them something else to concentrate on besides what she is doing. I don't remember the endorphin explanation, but I can tell you it did have a very relaxing affect on him and she was right about him concentrating on that thing on his nose instead of the needle in his belly. It was almost like he was hypnotized by it. Then when she took it off, his nose stuck out for a bit afterward, which was comical.

Another vet tried to twitch a young horse I had, that had cheat in his eye. He took one look at that scary metal thing coming toward his face, reared up and came down on her toe, and she brought out the sedatives...LOLOL. (He WAS a pretty squirrely two year old). So I've seen it used successfully and very unsuccessfully. So guess you are no further ahead.....sorry.

[Dressage Princess]

If I can do something without needing to twitch, I'm much happier. I am not really a fan of twitching, the only times I've twitched has been when there's been urgent vet attention needed and horsey has been objecting to having something done to him.

I've seen twitches, particularly nose twitches, abused, and have a horse who I'm pretty sure has had his ear twitched. I can tell you now, his reaction when you try to do something with his ears is NOT a reaction from having endorphins released when his ears have been fiddled with.

[minihorses4ever]

I use them, and have no problem using them either. Makes it safer for both horse AND handler.

[HUS_WP_lovr]

I'd use them if I needed to. I have on another horse before, if its necessary its better to do that than to risk getting hurt.

[dustyboy1209]

I have never seen ear twitching done....it doesn't sound like the smartest thing to do...

[wpisawesome]

I would rather not and do as much as I can without it, but my horse hates his ears done so I twitch him, clip , then it's over with doesn't hurt them and Its better than risking your safety.

[Simon Says]

If I can get my boy to let me do something w/o teitching him, I would perfer that. But my boy is tough and I will use the humane twitch on him before I try to sedate him!

[Lindsayanne]

I'd rather do *something* than get myself in a dangerous situation.

And I'd rather twitch than sedate.


Interestingly, I recently discovered on Ebony that if you even take your hand and squeeze her upper lip, she will tolerate absolutely anything! It's like the spy-death-touch, lol. Makes worming her SO much easier.