using the catch rope

[Anonymous]

Dear Marty,
I am the proud owner of three alpaca maidens, and am new to the camelid species. I've received your package of book, halter, catch rope and wand and have*a question about securing the catch rope around the neck of the alpaca. I understand getting the rope on the animal, holding in both hands and maneuvering it up the neck. But how do I now get the snap and ring together to fit snugly on the top of the neck? My catch rope is the new kind with two rings. Does the loop and not on page 97 still apply to the new double-ring catch rope? On the new catch rope, it seems that you already have a knot and you make the circle and slip it over the head (easier said than done with my girls!). I am also looking at the photo on page 96. I've tried it on "my human" and still can't figure it out.
Could you please enlighten me?

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Hi, The double ring slide is an innovation since the book came out. It is a matter of pulling on the rope between the rings and pushing the rings and then taking up the slack. All of this happens after you have clipped the rope around the animals neck by snapping the hook to the BIG ring.
Here are the official new directions for using the new catch rope arrangments

New and Improved Catch Rope!

The catch rope you have purchased come with a new easier to adjust double ring feature. This catch rope is different than the one described in the “Camelid Companion.” If you prefer to use the overhand knot rather than the double ring slide you need only remove both rings, toss the smaller of the two and tie the big ring back on the rope with a simple over hand knot.
To use the double ring slide:
1. Catch your animal using one of the methods described in the book. Make sure that the rope is up high on the neck.

2. Attach the hook to the larger of the two rings

3. Tighten the rope around the top of the neck as follows:
...With one hand, pull the fold of rope that passes over the big ring toward you.
...At the same time push the two rings away from you.
...Then pull on the tail end of the rope as you keep hold of the rings to snug up the slack you've created.

This will take the slack out of the rope around the neck.

http://www.camelidynamics.com/forumPix/crope/catchope-adjust3-web.jpg
http://www.camelidynamics.com/forumPix/crope/catchope-adjust5-web.jpg http://www.camelidynamics.com/forumPix/crope/catchope-adjust6-web.jpg
http://www.camelidynamics.com/forumPix/crope/catchope-adjust7-web.jpg

4. The rope should fit snugly around the neck and stay up high. If the rope keeps slipping down the neck, snug up the rope by repeating this process.

[jeanettekopell]

Marty,
I remember my big problem at the Adv. Clinic was the positioning of the catch rope. Yes, I tried to work on it while I was in Bend, but never really got the hang of it. I was working with one of my younger boys and once again, I never really got the catch rope up on the neck, boy, was I frustrated with myself! And so it goes, if you don't get the BASICS, things just kinda go south. I slept on it and checked the website and I remember seeing the illustrated version on snugging up the catch rope. EPHIPHANY--I finally got it! Thank You for taking the time to show us how to work with the catch rope correctly!
Jeanette

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I am so pleased about how the forum is helping everyone find the information that they need. I can't you how helpful it has been for me! Did you find the detailed step by step guide to the catch rope that we worked up you can find it at
http://www.camelidynamicsguild.com/guildForum/showthread.php?t=304&highlight=snug
it is really detailed.

[Kotare]

Hi Marty( and everyone)

Now that I have downsized my catch pen I am having success with using the catch rope, haltering and head work ..... but....

I have an 18 month old wether Arthur who is causing me some angst. He has been very nervous and inclined to panic... rearing and tearing around but now is much calmer. However, I'm in the pen.... in the middle ...and he then moves around me very closely, almost touching me... when I move he moves so that it is difficult to manouver the catchrope.... we seem to be engaged in a kind of dance.!! He is not being threatening in anyway.
Once the catch rope is on I can halter him quite easily and he seems to enjoy headwork but balancing him is a bit tricky as he puts his head down and turns in towards me.... his head is almost at a right angle and it is hard to maintain my balance.

I know it is my ineptitude as a new handler and Vicky Tribe is coming in a few weeks to help me but in the meantime any thoughts you have would be very welcome.

I was at your Rotorua clinic and we spoke about Awaroa.

Thanks

Amanda Perham

[kmdombeck]

It sounds like this little guy is trying to use you for balance, have you tried a body wrap on him? It should help him find his own balance and give you some working room.

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I like that suggestion also don't be afraid to use your hands to help keep him in his spot and you back up. This works much better than trying to push him away. It is not so good to have an animal lean on you it is just as negative as leaning away... ideally we want him to carry his own weight on his own four feet. Use the pre-emptive signal to keep him where he is and you back up. That should help you to get some working room. I know Vicky will be lots of help. Tell us all how it goes.

[Kotare]

Hello Marty and everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that Vicky Tribe has been down a couple of times to give me some training with my four alpacas.

She was marvellous as two of mine are tricky.... one in paticular( even for Vicky). Amber is an 18 month maiden, very quick,very clever and very dominant.....combine this with me as a novice handler and you can no doubt guess the outcome!!

Anyway Vicky has a calm,kind yet authorative manner and we did halter Amber and led her on two leads..... once on the lead she is O.K. but getting her haltered is still difficult for me. Having thought about it overnight I'm going to try a different approach to catch and halter her and then leave the halter on for a few days, walking her each day and then see how we go.

Vicky and I agreed that it isn't the end of the world if she doesn't halter and lead which I can leave unless neccessary for shots etc. However she does disrupt the others... getting in their space and then getting agro with them....she is always the boss !!! Any ideas would be very welcome as she is not fun to work with !!!

Anyway Marty I wanted to let you know that Vicky is an excellent trainer and from my point of view you can have every confidence in her. I'm going to further training days as she is hopeful of getting people together in my general area. I'll also try to get to your next clinic when you are over here....maybe 2007 I hear ?

Hope all is well with you

Amanda

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Thanks for filling us in on your progress. Vicky is such a good handler and it is nice to hear that she is a good people handler too! I knew she would be. Keep us all posted on your girl. I bet she gets easier as she matures many animals are very dramatic when they are teens.... not unlike their human counterparts!