A device consisting of a long (wooden) handle and a loop of rope on one end. The loop of rope can be applied tightly to the horse's upper lip. The pressure on the horse's upper lip is a source of distraction and leads to the release of certain hormones which have a calming effect on the horse. The twitch should never be used for more than a few minutes at a time and must never be applied to any other parts of a horse's anatomy.