Old stable and veterinary equipment can be quite fascinating.
This is a Rutter’s twitch – it is made of two wooden bars, there are ridges carved around the circumference of each bar. The two pieces of wood are held together at one end by iron loops.
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This tool was used to quieten horses when they didn’t want to cooperate with a procedure. One of the wooden bars would be placed on each side of the animal’s upper lip / muzzle & the bars would be strapped together at their free ends, squeezing the lip. Theoretically the use of a twitch promotes the production of endorphins in the horse’s body, making it calmer . Personally I am rather doubtful about this theory and suspect that twitches worked more by providing the alternative distraction of pain. |
Despite this rather dubious use the Rutter’s twitch is an interesting item. In common with many 19th Century tools it is beautifully made from an attractive wood (probably oak) , the metal parts are handforged.
However, I think I’ll be sticking to modern sedatives when I need them.