08/15/2025
I saw a lot of comments from people who aren't rabbit savy expressing an opinion on rabbit handling that has been debunked .
Let's talk about inverting rabbits ..
⚠️ “Trancing” Is Not Trauma — It’s Mishandled Science
One of the most persistent and harmful myths in the rabbit care world is the claim that gently flipping a rabbit onto its back causes a state of terror-induced tonic immobility, often called “trancing.” This myth is weaponized by the House Rabbit Society and similar groups to shame breeders, show judges, and rabbit-savvy vets who routinely use safe inversion techniques for health checks and exams.
🧪 Where the Myth Comes From:
The study often cited to “prove” trancing is traumatic involved slamming rabbits violently onto their backs, repeatedly, until they stopped struggling. This was done in 1970s and 1980s neurotrauma and fear-conditioning experiments, not normal handling.
That study has nothing in common with calm inversion practices used in:
Veterinary exams
Show table evaluations
Routine grooming or medical care
✅ What Current Research Shows (2021–2024):
A 2021 veterinary study (Wilczyńska et al.) compared stress markers in rabbits handled in upright vs. inverted positions:
60% of rabbits inverted correctly had lower cortisol, lower heart rates, and reduced respiratory rates
100% of rabbits handled upright had elevated cortisol levels (average increase: +78%)
Pupils, glucose, and behavior all showed less stress in inverted rabbits
In 2024, newer research continued to confirm that proper inversion (like show pose) does not cause trauma. When done gently, it’s calming, controlled, and physiologically safer than the alternative.
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🧾 Summary:
“Trancing” = violent tonic immobility induced through trauma
Proper inversion = calm, low-stress handling supported by science
Breeders and vet techs using correct inversion are reducing stress—not causing it
