what do twitches. . . .?

Question

I've heard two different things about lip twitches, one being that they are so painful to the horse that they horse doesn't react as badly to things such as clipping there ears and the other being that it has a calming/relaxing effect on the horse.
Which is it?

Answer 1

The lip twitch can be effective if you know how to use it correctly, which requires knowing the timing of the associated endorphin effect. Just as sedatives take time to work, it also takes time for endorphins to take effect when a twitch is applied, and the effect of the endorphins also wears off within a specific time frame just as sedatives do.



It takes about three to five minutes for the endorphins that are released to reach effective levels, and in the meantime, the discomfort the twitch causes may range from a minor annoyance to completely intolerable in the horse's view. If you begin whatever procedure you want performed before the endorphins kick in, the twitch will actually be adding to any discomfort, even if it does provide some distraction.



If you wait the three to five minutes to get the desired endorphin effects (pain relief and relaxation), realize that those effects will only last for about 10 to 15 minutes until the available endorphins are depleted.



Endorphin levels then drop suddenly and rapidly to below normal baseline levels. This means that even the "natural" anesthesia that is normally physiologically provided during pain responses is absent. The pain from the twitch will suddenly be multiplied, and if the procedure being performed is painful, the horse will be ill prepared to cope.



So, if you use a twitch, it is important to wait until the desired effect is observed, and don't plan to use a twitch for procedures that last more than 10 to 15 minutes.



It is never advisable to grasp an ear to twitch a horse, since not only can it lead to ear shyness, but there are multiple nerves at the bases of the ears that can be permanently damaged.

Answer 2

I have seen horses be twitched. And, they do not use JUST the lip. If using the lip proves unsuccessful, I've seen people twitch the ear.



The theory is that the extreme pain releases an endorphin rush, which calms the horse. Twitching can cause nerve problems and it cuts off circulation to the area being twitched.



I've seen horses stretch out their entire bodies, leaning as far away from the twitch as possible, only their head staying in place. And once that twitch is released, I've seen people get kicked in the shoulder, nearly the head because some horses will rear up and strike out once their mobility is returned.



Their eyes are wide the whole time, they look like they're in pain, to me anyway.

Answer 3

Twitching, in theory, is meant to relax the horse through the release of endorphins, a "feel good" chemical (hormone). Through the release of said hormones, the horse relaxes.



Note though, that not every horse can be twitched. Some horses have the exact opposite reaction when twitched, and become angry as it causes them pain. MOST horses can be twitched, but it is not a guarantee.

Answer 4

In an emergency I'll take the "old-style" twitch over the "modern" one because it is harder for the animal to escape from it. This is especially important if the horseman is working alone and must twitch AND do a procedure by himself.



Another method is hand-twitching, where you simply grab a chunk of nose and twist. This method is unadvisable but occasionally necessary when anything else is even more dangerous.



Yet another method is the "ear twitch" by hand that is sometimes used for trimming nose whiskers. Since I never trim nose whiskers I never use an ear twitch, but I've seen horses that do not want a hand, even petting, near those ears, and I think, "Must have been ear twitched."

Answer 5

Twitches are usually used during vet procedures, or during necessary actions that the horse wouldn't tolerate normally. The twitch is attached to the horses lip, and held in place by a handler. Within seconds, the horse will relax considerably due to a reaction based endorphin rush. Some people don't approve of them. I only like to the use them when totally necessary.

Old Style twitch:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=HB2PxrfAH2Q6fM:&imgrefurl=http://gendergoggles.com/2009/04/28/horse-handler-rant-part-i/&docid=Yb9hH0WHQyUHAM&imgurl=http://loudoun.nvcc.edu/vetonline/vet105/patchytwitch1.jpg&w=969&h=993&ei=ikmxT92RFMbc2gWr5uG7BQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=240&vpy=123&dur=1453&hovh=227&hovw=222&tx=129&ty=109&sig=115866352216348702887&page=1&tbnh=114&tbnw=111&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:77



More modern and common twitch:

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=556&tbm=isch&tbnid=X22F4tifhziEKM:&imgrefurl=http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php%3Fproductid%3D1205%26js%3Dy&docid=89bGc582gQ0qnM&imgurl=http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/images/P/417d-01.jpg&w=350&h=350&ei=ikmxT92RFMbc2gWr5uG7BQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=527&vpy=124&dur=1034&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=148&ty=130&sig=115866352216348702887&page=1&tbnh=114&tbnw=114&start=0&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:81



Hope that answered your question effectively.

Answer 6

It helps release endorphins that relax the horse.