[Alpacasite] RE:Re: Misbehaving Alpacas at Shows

Lance,
Would you please share some of these safer methods with us. I would love to
have a better way to deal with problems. Besides, I am "vertically
challenged" and the aftereffects of a fractured left shoulder make it very
difficult for me to use the traditional restraint positon Laurel described
on all but the smallest and calmest of animals. I do find that getting them
used to being held and held and handled under calmer circumstances and also
getting them used to people, noise and strange sights and sounds ahead of
time does help in many cases.

By the way, I was at the Ohio show and saw Laurel in action. I was very
impressed with her calm, kind way of dealing both with the frightened
alpacas and with their often-newby handlers. The judge in that ring was
also extremely patient. It was the ring closest to the "tunnel of terror"
and the staging area was the pathway to another ring, so there was nowhere
to stand quietly and help your animal calm down before entering the
showring. There was a lot more fear and distress in that ring than I
normally see at other shows, but I think that Laurel and the judges handled
it extremely well under the circumstances. I have strongly recommended to
the show officials to use rigid sides on the tunnel next year. Also having
a staging area without animals of the opposite sex constantly pushing
through would help a lot.

Once again I would ask you to share your wisdom with us. I understand that
you and your wife have had wonderful success in dealing with difficult
animals and difficult situations. Perhaps with your help we can prevent
some behavior problems rather than exacerbating them.

Smiles,

Ruthanne

Ruthanne McCaslin, DVM

Promised Land Farm
11345 Thwing Rd.
Chardon, Ohio 44024
440-285-9255
Peruvian Perfection in Black and White - and other exciting colors!

Lance wrote:
>I have to admit that this behavior on a human's part sounds to me like
>THE most dangerous way that you could attempt to calm an alpaca down.
>You are putting yourself in a very disadvantageous position holding on
>to the neck of an animal that wields it in battle. Facing any animal is
>an offensive position and then subsequently holding on such that they
>cannot move will likely get you hurt badly. I am glad that this works
>for you as I must assume that your animals are trained for it. For an
>owner of a less trained animal to attempt this might likely get them
>killed. The more you brace against their attempts will only encourage
>them to make a greater attempt. Any animal that finds itself so
>restrained as to not be able to move, will, when given the opportunity,
>to somewhat disastrous results
>There are far better ways to accomplish this, in my humble opinion that
>do not risk injury. They, of course, start long before the show ring
>but there are some less dangerous methods even after you are already
>there.
>Respectfully,
>Lance Hardcastle
>On Dec 1, 2005, at 8:46 AM, Shouvlins wrote:
>
> > If the alpaca starts to act up... face your alpaca with your left arm
> > firmly holding the bunched up lead and wrap your arm around the
> > alpacas neck. Position yourself so that your left thigh/knee is
> > against its chest and the animal's neck is firmly against your left
> > chest. Point its chin into the air with your shoulder. You are now
> > hugging that huggable investment, but thinking less than affectionate
> > thoughts! It is important that the alpaca does not feel as though it
> > has any room to move. Brace yourself against any of its attempts by
> > keeping your right leg back and firmly planted so that you can push
> > against the animal if necessary. If it senses it has space...it will
> > try to take advantage of it, so be gentle, but firm.
> >
>www.southeastllamarescue.org

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