[Alpacasite] Re: Misbehaving Alpacas at Shows

I usually show llamas, but I also have two alpaca geldings that I keep
for their fiber. This fall I helped friends at a show by handling one
of their alpacas. In stark contrast to the llama side of the show,
the alpacas all tended to be jumpy and pull away from their handlers.
I can't imagine how the judge could tell how well they moved.

I showed one of my geldings in the performance classes and also in the
non-breeder halter class. He walked just fine on lead with no
pulling, even though he was the only one in the halter class in that
great big ring. The judge asked me if he was kept with
llamas--apparently alpacas who have llamas for role models tend to be
easier to handle and less spooky. She even remembered his performance
from the previous day and commented that he did "pretty well" (trying
not to add "for an alpaca").

As a generalization, alpacas don't seem to have the same level of
"smarts" that llamas have, but that doesn't excuse alpaca owners from
neglecting to train them. In fact, my alpaca boys tend to be more
tractable in performance classes because they are not trying to figure
out the obstacles--they just know to follow me.

A lot of first-time buyers really are looking for alpacas that they
can handle (if not hug). An alpaca trained to lead, to have his feet
picked up for toenail trimming, and that will stand to be vaccinated
will have a distinct selling advantage over one that has to be chased
down, cornered and hog-tied to have anything done to it.

Susan

--- In Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com, "mpcpneilp" <mpcpneilp@a...> wrote:
>
> Jeannie and Laurel,
>
> This is an interesting and important topic. Laurel has brought up
> many good tips. The thingy wacket issue is much like a right of
> passage for exhibitors. I think most of us make this mistake sooner
> or later.
>
> That being said I have a different perspective. Contrary to what Jude
> Anderson has said, you CAN'T TEACH AN ALPACA TO ACCEPT HANDLING AT A
> SHOW. In fact, in handling alpacas the real teaching that is going on
> is that the handler is learning what drives an alpaca crazy an learns
> not to do those things.
>
> Alpacas do not have the same temperament as llamas. Some of them will
> be spooked in the scary environment of the showring and there is
> little or nothing that can be done to calm them down. If this
> happens, often the best thing to do is scratch them from the show
> yourself.
>
> Also, containing an alpaca as Laurel has described will work some of
> the time. If the alpaca is really spooked however 3 people will not
> be able to hold them still, and the process of trying can make said
> alpaca even more crazy (that flight response thing).
>
> There is no simple answer here. Just be aware that some alpacas don't
> have the temperament for the showring.
>

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