Marty McGee Bennett
11-19-2009, 08:24 PM
I have just had another conversation with Amanda VandenBosch about the side ring method of leading. She has had several instances where in handlers bring an animal in the ring with the hook on the CHEEK RING INSTEAD OF THE NOSEBAND RING! This doesn't work it is even less effective than leading from the standard ring under the chin.
A couple of reminders about leading from the side ring.
1. Make sure you are using the proper halter and that it is fitted. You can't use this technique with a halter that doesn't have a ring on the noseband and many don't. There are actually three different spots on the noseband ring that one could possible attach a snap only one is correct and will work properly transmitting signals to the crown piece of the halter without tipping the nose up. Please refer to the photo for proper snap placement on the ring.
2. If your halter is not proportioned to fit up close to the eye as in the Zephyr halter leading from the side will put the halter forward and off the bone. DON'T use the technique unless you are confident about halter fit and have the correct halter.
3. Do not use this technique if you are going to use a big clunky lead with a big clunky snap it looks unprofessional and the weight and size of the leadrope and snap distracts both the animal and the judge.
4. I suggest using a lead rope that does not have a swivel. Swivels build in a disconnect- when you are up close balancing the alpaca at close range as in for fleece inspection with a lead that has a swivel you give a signal on the lead the lead just turns instead of transmitting the signal to the head.
Please if you see someone using this technique incorrectly refer them to this post. It is really important that if folks are going to use the technique that they use it correctly. Feel free to copy this and put it on your website give it to the newsletter of your choice I would love for this information to get the widest possible dissemination.
I am attaching a photo that illustrates both proper halter fit and where the snap attaches.
A couple of reminders about leading from the side ring.
1. Make sure you are using the proper halter and that it is fitted. You can't use this technique with a halter that doesn't have a ring on the noseband and many don't. There are actually three different spots on the noseband ring that one could possible attach a snap only one is correct and will work properly transmitting signals to the crown piece of the halter without tipping the nose up. Please refer to the photo for proper snap placement on the ring.
2. If your halter is not proportioned to fit up close to the eye as in the Zephyr halter leading from the side will put the halter forward and off the bone. DON'T use the technique unless you are confident about halter fit and have the correct halter.
3. Do not use this technique if you are going to use a big clunky lead with a big clunky snap it looks unprofessional and the weight and size of the leadrope and snap distracts both the animal and the judge.
4. I suggest using a lead rope that does not have a swivel. Swivels build in a disconnect- when you are up close balancing the alpaca at close range as in for fleece inspection with a lead that has a swivel you give a signal on the lead the lead just turns instead of transmitting the signal to the head.
Please if you see someone using this technique incorrectly refer them to this post. It is really important that if folks are going to use the technique that they use it correctly. Feel free to copy this and put it on your website give it to the newsletter of your choice I would love for this information to get the widest possible dissemination.
I am attaching a photo that illustrates both proper halter fit and where the snap attaches.