Numpty question - clipping?

Dizzyblonde99

Dizzyblonde99

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Hello! Went to try out a horse today, it's owners said it had to be "twitched" to have its head clipped. What is "twitching"? and if I were to have it clipped, who would I ask to twitch it, my vet or well who!??

All mine have been good to clip in the past, so this is new to me :')
Thanks!
 
Twitching is done - on our yard when I have seen it, with a stick and piece of bale band threaded through a hole in it. The band is wrapped around the horses top lip and twisted round until tight. It kind of puts the horse in a trance/sedated mode, and its tightened as needed. It releases endorphines (I think thats right) and enables the person clipping to do what they need to do. When the clipped bit is over it is untwisted slowly as some horses can kick out suddenly if you release it too quick. Horse next to me has to have it on for his legs clipping. Cheaper than having a vet out to sedate and although it looks a bit cruel, it does work and doesnt need to be done for long. Better than cutting the horse with the clippers or hurting yourself.
 
PeterPansWendy said:
Not true, clipping and twitching on one's own is very do-able!! you can get twitches which you can attach to themselves and they stay on or you can do a DIY twitch involving a hoof pick (without brush)
Click to expand...

Doable, but not safe, i think most people would advise you had one person to clip and one to twitch, as a twitch that is left on for a long period of time can have the adverse effect. I know, i have seen the consequences.

Do not twitch a horse and try to clip it on your own.
x
 
I have done it for 22 years by myself, never ever had a problem and i have clipped well over 150 horses, obviously not all needed twitching. but each to our own.
 
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