What is a 'switch'?

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Eileen G. Morg » Mon, 16 Feb 1998 04:00:00



Quote:

>Morgan) writes:

>>endopmorphins (natual pain killers)

>That's endorphins (endomorph is a human body type... one that tends to be
>heavy...)

that's what I get for not keepin' my dictionary handy . . . always
addin' and droppin' letters . . .
Quote:
>And there are at least 2 studies demonstrating elevated levels of endorphins in
>the *** of horses that are twitched.

I think I read that, but, since I didn't actually read ths studies, i
wanted to be *careful* what I said . . . :)
eileen morgan
The Mare's Nest
 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Leah » Mon, 16 Feb 1998 04:00:00

Quote:
> The twitch is the
>device used on a hores's nose in order to restrain it.

Twiches are NOT used on a horse's nose.  The horse's upper lip is placed
through the chain and then the chain(or rope) is twisted, createing a sedative
effect (on most horses).
-Sarah

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by CMNewe » Tue, 17 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:
>> The twitch is the
>>device used on a hores's nose in order to restrain it.

>Twiches are NOT used on a horse's nose.  The horse's upper lip is placed
>through the chain and then the chain(or rope) is twisted, createing a sedative
>effect (on most horses).
>-Sarah

Picky, picky, picky.
                         --CMNewell
"Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
of giving your heart to a dog to tear"
        --Kipling

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Donna Patt » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00



Quote:




>>> >Ooooh this is going to make me look realll dull, but what exactly is a
>>> >'switch'?  That's all.

>>> Are you sure you don't mean twitch >?

>>> Petra
>>Well if I do mean twitch, and I'm not really sure of that either,
>>perhaps somebody could tell me?  I'm talking about them things they use
>>on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.

>>You could have told me Petra.  Saved me and somebody else a post?
>Twitch: wooden rod with a loop of chain or rope at one end. Place over
>the horse's upper lip, twist it to a snug loop, apply light to medium
>pressure, jiggle once in a while.
>Or, Human/nutcracker/one-person twitch: hinged metal pair of
>arms--looks kind like tongs, only joined at the tong end. You pull
>horse's upper lip through the tong-looking end, close the arms
>together, and tie it at a proper snugness to stay put. Clip arm ends
>to the halter.

Alternatively: one's hand, used to grab the end of the nose or a hunk of
shoulder. Don't know why it works, but when we first got the QH, it was the
only way to get his head clipped for a show. It didn't hurt him, but the
minute one of us got a hand on his nose, he'd keep his head still.
Hand-twitching my mare was how we kept her still for freeze-branding.

- Show quoted text -

Quote:

>Why it works: cause for great debate. no one is really sure why. My
>favorite position: this is not a pain device. My horses act sleepy,
>not pain restrained. I think there is supposed to be an acupuncture
>sight in the nose, right where the twitch would sit. One thing is
>pretty certain--endopmorphins (natual pain killers) get released in
>the body at a higher than normal rate for the amount of "pain" which
>*might* be getting caused by a twitch.
>eileen morgan
>The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Donna Patt » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00



Quote:


>> >>I'm talking about them things they use
>> on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.<<

>> You could have said this in your first message. Saved me and somebody else a
>> post and some bandwidth.

>And shit, don't I feel stupid now, because I just posted a description
>of "switch" to the original poster when I should have read on and found
>they wanted "twitch".  I'm a twit.  I guess that's what I get for not
>reading for a day or two.

Nope. He's a twit for not explaining what he wanted to know.

A switch is also a kind of whip or bat used on balky horses or know-it-all
twits :-}

Quote:

>--
>Kristen Schulz
>Gaitway Farm
>Princeton, MA

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Richard Bish » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:
(Donna Pattee) writes:







>>>> >Ooooh this is going to make me look realll dull, but what exactly
is a
>>>> >'switch'?  That's all.

>>>> Are you sure you don't mean twitch >?

>>>> Petra
>>>Well if I do mean twitch, and I'm not really sure of that either,
>>>perhaps somebody could tell me?  I'm talking about them things they
use
>>>on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.

>>>You could have told me Petra.  Saved me and somebody else a post?
>>Twitch: wooden rod with a loop of chain or rope at one end. Place
over
>>the horse's upper lip, twist it to a snug loop, apply light to medium
>>pressure, jiggle once in a while.
>>Or, Human/nutcracker/one-person twitch: hinged metal pair of
>>arms--looks kind like tongs, only joined at the tong end. You pull
>>horse's upper lip through the tong-looking end, close the arms
>>together, and tie it at a proper snugness to stay put. Clip arm ends
>>to the halter.

>Alternatively: one's hand, used to grab the end of the nose or a hunk
of
>shoulder. Don't know why it works, but when we first got the QH, it
was the
>only way to get his head clipped for a show. It didn't hurt him, but
the
>minute one of us got a hand on his nose, he'd keep his head still.
>Hand-twitching my mare was how we kept her still for freeze-branding.

I have one mare that didn't stand well for the farrier when we first
got her.  Since she had been abused, I didn't want to twitch her.  So I
used a technique I'd been taught.  Grasp horse's upper lip between
thumb and fingers with thumb inside at the gum line.  Rub back and
forth between thumb and fingers.  You can rub hard or soft, depending
on how the horse is acting.  You can clamp down hard if they are
struggling.

Sue

- Show quoted text -

Quote:

>>Why it works: cause for great debate. no one is really sure why. My
>>favorite position: this is not a pain device. My horses act sleepy,
>>not pain restrained. I think there is supposed to be an acupuncture
>>sight in the nose, right where the twitch would sit. One thing is
>>pretty certain--endopmorphins (natual pain killers) get released in
>>the body at a higher than normal rate for the amount of "pain" which
>>*might* be getting caused by a twitch.
>>eileen morgan
>>The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Robby Johnso » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00

[...]

Quote:
> >That's endorphins (endomorph is a human body type... one that tends to
be
> >heavy...)

[...]

I was under the impression that an endomorph was the body type in which the
waist curved "in" (as I remember learning in health class).  The mesomorph
was used to describe a heavy person and the ectomorph was used to describe
Kate Moss (straight up and down, no curves).

Are these body types also applicable to horses?  I would be inclined to say
yes.  I have known many horses who, by nature, were either predisposed to
being fat, fit or hard to keep weight on (just like people).

Robby and Willow, the ectomorphs

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Jane H. Kilbe » Wed, 18 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:


> [...]

> > >That's endorphins (endomorph is a human body type... one that tends to
> be
> > >heavy...)

> [...]

> I was under the impression that an endomorph was the body type in which the
> waist curved "in" (as I remember learning in health class).  The mesomorph
> was used to describe a heavy person and the ectomorph was used to describe
> Kate Moss (straight up and down, no curves).

> Are these body types also applicable to horses?  I would be inclined to say
> yes.  I have known many horses who, by nature, were either predisposed to
> being fat, fit or hard to keep weight on (just like people).

> Robby and Willow, the ectomorphs

Are we morphing now? LOL

down the tejas trails....
jane kilberg & her GOS (Gang of Spots) in the great nation of tejas

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Russel » Thu, 19 Feb 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

> I was under the impression that an endomorph was the body type in which the
> waist curved "in" (as I remember learning in health class).  The mesomorph
> was used to describe a heavy person and the ectomorph was used to describe
> Kate Moss (straight up and down, no curves).

> Are these body types also applicable to horses?  I would be inclined to say
> yes.  I have known many horses who, by nature, were either predisposed to
> being fat, fit or hard to keep weight on (just like people).

> Robby and Willow, the ectomorphs

Yes, I believe they are.  The three body types, Endomorph, Ectomorph and
Mesomorph are in theory applicable to all mammals, and some scientists
argua all animals.  I don't agree with the latter.
 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by John T. Klausn » Fri, 20 Feb 1998 04:00:00


snipped

Quote:
>They had a reputation for beautiful, yet strong and durable hair.  It
>was a common practice to cut the tail of a newly-retired horse and
>sell it as a switch.  The horse was left with a hock-length tail, and
>we had a valuable 6, 7 or 8 foot section to sell to the switch-makers.

Fascinating!  you never know when you're going to learn another new
tidbit.  Do they have a retirement ceremony or something?  you cut them
off at the _hock_ and still have 6,7,or 8 feet of tail left??? Wow.
That's some tail.

snipped

Quote:
>    Just thought I'd help with definitions so now everyone knows
>what a twitch and a switch are.

It always helps to know which end of the horse is which!

Quote:
>Anne K. Guillory

>Western Kentucky University

SueK
 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Turnber » Sun, 22 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Morgan)posted:

Quote:




>>> >Ooooh this is going to make me look realll dull, but what exactly is a
>>> >'switch'?  That's all.

>>> Are you sure you don't mean twitch >?

>>> Petra
>>Well if I do mean twitch, and I'm not really sure of that either,
>>perhaps somebody could tell me?  I'm talking about them things they use
>>on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.

>>You could have told me Petra.  Saved me and somebody else a post?
>Twitch: wooden rod with a loop of chain or rope at one end. Place over
>the horse's upper lip, twist it to a snug loop, apply light to medium
>pressure, jiggle once in a while.
>Or, Human/nutcracker/one-person twitch: hinged metal pair of
>arms--looks kind like tongs, only joined at the tong end. You pull
>horse's upper lip through the tong-looking end, close the arms
>together, and tie it at a proper snugness to stay put. Clip arm ends
>to the halter.

>Why it works: cause for great debate. no one is really sure why. My
>favorite position: this is not a pain device. My horses act sleepy,
>not pain restrained. I think there is supposed to be an acupuncture
>sight in the nose, right where the twitch would sit. One thing is
>pretty certain--endopmorphins (natual pain killers) get released in
>the body at a higher than normal rate for the amount of "pain" which
>*might* be getting caused by a twitch.
>eileen morgan
>The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Turnber » Sun, 22 Feb 1998 04:00:00

It's just the reverse Kristen---see what I told you about jumping to
conclusions too quickly.

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Eileen G. Morg » Tue, 24 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Now what is your problem? the original poster was not talking about
switches, she meant to ask about twitches.
You just seem to have a bug up your ass, lady.
eileen morgan
The Mare's Nest

Quote:


>Morgan)posted:




>>>> >Ooooh this is going to make me look realll dull, but what exactly is a
>>>> >'switch'?  That's all.

>>>> Are you sure you don't mean twitch >?

>>>> Petra
>>>Well if I do mean twitch, and I'm not really sure of that either,
>>>perhaps somebody could tell me?  I'm talking about them things they use
>>>on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.

>>>You could have told me Petra.  Saved me and somebody else a post?
>>Twitch: wooden rod with a loop of chain or rope at one end. Place over
>>the horse's upper lip, twist it to a snug loop, apply light to medium
>>pressure, jiggle once in a while.
>>Or, Human/nutcracker/one-person twitch: hinged metal pair of
>>arms--looks kind like tongs, only joined at the tong end. You pull
>>horse's upper lip through the tong-looking end, close the arms
>>together, and tie it at a proper snugness to stay put. Clip arm ends
>>to the halter.

>>Why it works: cause for great debate. no one is really sure why. My
>>favorite position: this is not a pain device. My horses act sleepy,
>>not pain restrained. I think there is supposed to be an acupuncture
>>sight in the nose, right where the twitch would sit. One thing is
>>pretty certain--endopmorphins (natual pain killers) get released in
>>the body at a higher than normal rate for the amount of "pain" which
>>*might* be getting caused by a twitch.
>>eileen morgan
>>The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by Turnber » Tue, 24 Feb 1998 04:00:00

Silly me-- my that does tickle!  

Quote:
>Subject: Re: What is a 'switch'?

>Date: Sun, Feb 22, 1998 22:25 EST


>Now what is your problem? the original poster was not talking about
>switches, she meant to ask about twitches.
>You just seem to have a bug up your ass, lady.
>eileen morgan
>The Mare's Nest


>>Morgan)posted:




>>>>> >Ooooh this is going to make me look realll dull, but what exactly is a
>>>>> >'switch'?  That's all.

>>>>> Are you sure you don't mean twitch >?

>>>>> Petra
>>>>Well if I do mean twitch, and I'm not really sure of that either,
>>>>perhaps somebody could tell me?  I'm talking about them things they use
>>>>on horses muzzles to calm them, or something like that.

>>>>You could have told me Petra.  Saved me and somebody else a post?
>>>Twitch: wooden rod with a loop of chain or rope at one end. Place over
>>>the horse's upper lip, twist it to a snug loop, apply light to medium
>>>pressure, jiggle once in a while.
>>>Or, Human/nutcracker/one-person twitch: hinged metal pair of
>>>arms--looks kind like tongs, only joined at the tong end. You pull
>>>horse's upper lip through the tong-looking end, close the arms
>>>together, and tie it at a proper snugness to stay put. Clip arm ends
>>>to the halter.

>>>Why it works: cause for great debate. no one is really sure why. My
>>>favorite position: this is not a pain device. My horses act sleepy,
>>>not pain restrained. I think there is supposed to be an acupuncture
>>>sight in the nose, right where the twitch would sit. One thing is
>>>pretty certain--endopmorphins (natual pain killers) get released in
>>>the body at a higher than normal rate for the amount of "pain" which
>>>*might* be getting caused by a twitch.
>>>eileen morgan
>>>The Mare's Nest

 
 
 

What is a 'switch'?

Post by JRDVMDIV » Wed, 25 Feb 1998 04:00:00


Quote:

>I was under the impression that an endomorph was the body type in which the
>waist curved "in" (as I remember learning in health class).  The mesomorph
>was used to describe a heavy person and the ectomorph was used to describe
>Kate Moss (straight up and down, no curves).

Endomorphs = tend to overweight, easy keepers... like me ;-(
Mesomorphs = just right... what I used to be
Ectomorphs = tend to underweight, hard keepers... what I have never been ;-)

Quote:
>Are these body types also applicable to horses?  I would be inclined to say
>yes.  I have known many horses who, by nature, were either predisposed to
>being fat, fit or hard to keep weight on (just like people).

I would tend to agree also, but I don't think the exact same terms are used,
tho they would certainly apply...

Good Luck
IMHO, All Standard Disclaimers Apply
Julie A. Robinson DVM, MVSc, MS, Dipl. ABVP (Equine)