alpaca2spin
10-21-2005, 07:25 AM
Hello Everyone,
We have just finished helping a breeder shear 140 alpacas and 2 llamas in 2 days. It was exhausting work, but I wanted to share a Camelidyanics moment.
It was the llamas turn and the manager had haltered the first animal in the pen. They then opened the door, stood back and pulled. Finally the owner a mere 54kg lightweight started pushing from the rear; but that llama was not going to budge. He just sat back on his haunches stretched out his front feet and dug in for the campaign. I was sorting fleece across the shed, and felt I just had to intervene before someone got hurt.
So I approached the now sweating trio, and asked if I could try something. I was handed the lead rope. I checked the halter which was fine, then changed the clip from under the chin to the side ring. I asked everyone to give the llama some space, gave him the lead and only had to wait a split second before he straigtened up and pricked his ears. I gave him a very slight signal, and he just strode forward to the shearing area like he had been doing this all his life!!
The others were just stunned, and for me the question of balance and the dynamics of balance between each individual in the dance was yet again demonstrated to me. Thanks Marty, cant wait to see you again next year,
cheers
Heather Dunn
Australia
We have just finished helping a breeder shear 140 alpacas and 2 llamas in 2 days. It was exhausting work, but I wanted to share a Camelidyanics moment.
It was the llamas turn and the manager had haltered the first animal in the pen. They then opened the door, stood back and pulled. Finally the owner a mere 54kg lightweight started pushing from the rear; but that llama was not going to budge. He just sat back on his haunches stretched out his front feet and dug in for the campaign. I was sorting fleece across the shed, and felt I just had to intervene before someone got hurt.
So I approached the now sweating trio, and asked if I could try something. I was handed the lead rope. I checked the halter which was fine, then changed the clip from under the chin to the side ring. I asked everyone to give the llama some space, gave him the lead and only had to wait a split second before he straigtened up and pricked his ears. I gave him a very slight signal, and he just strode forward to the shearing area like he had been doing this all his life!!
The others were just stunned, and for me the question of balance and the dynamics of balance between each individual in the dance was yet again demonstrated to me. Thanks Marty, cant wait to see you again next year,
cheers
Heather Dunn
Australia