solo leg handling

[tsalpacas]

Does anyone have any ideas that I can work alone with getting them use to me handling their legs to work up to trimming them. My husband only has enough time to actually help me DO the trimming. He doesn't have time to help me work them up to trimming. He owns his own trucking business so I am most of the time on my own. He helps with shots and toenails.

Thanks

[Dorothy Hunt]

Hi Mary,
I set up a VERY small catch pen; when working with babies I use my scale enclosure, with adults a pen just wide enough for the two of us, and as long as the animal (I use an adjustable butt board for that.) Standing next to the alpaca, facing the animal's rear, I use the thumb & index finger of one hand on the mid-line of the back to bring the weight onto the leg while I work down the leg with llama touches (Ttouch circles using the back of the hand.) The small enclosure also lets me use my hip to help keep him in balance. When the alpaca seems ready for me to lift its leg I use the balancing hand to move the weight to the other side, lightening the leg. Initially I lift the leg only an inch or two, and put it down immediately; I repeat this lift and return in a rapid rhythm perhaps twenty or more times, until the animal understands that he will have his leg back whenever he needs it. Some animals will accept hay or grain as a distraction during the procedure, but in all cases I find them much more accepting of the tiny enclosure than of restraint. Good luck and keep us posted!
Radar

[Marty McGee Bennett]

A picture would be really good here Radar if you have the time! I would love to see your set up and how this is actually done as this is a question that comes up a LOT!

[Dorothy Hunt]

Sure, Marty- Am currently on the road but will post one when home again.
Radar

[ChristyHemenway]

Just to add in my two pence... definitely, definitely definitely use containment over restraint. I once saw someone try to snub a haltered alpaca very close and tight to a ring in a barn wall, and the animal just went limp and hung itself like a wet dishrag off the lead rope, long neck and all. And of course 150 pounds of "dead-weight" alpaca was difficult to lift up enough to loosen the rope. :eek:

Needless to say, I found a way to implement a "suggestion" for the next attempt at trimming toenails!!!

But what I really want to see is Radar handling legs by herself AND taking her own photo! Man, is she GOOD!!! :D

[Marty McGee Bennett]

If anyone can do it Radar can.

[kmdombeck]

I am going to give my input. Nail trimming is one of my major tasks here in Wyoming and I seem to be in constant development on "how", each time I walk through the herd. I also have to perform this job by myself. One option that is working for me is looping the lead over the catch pen and placing it on the llamas back so I can bring them back into balance while picking up the foot. I also have a more controlled area, called 'the box', that helps me with containment. Another thing that is working is simply laying my arm across their shoulders (or butt) and tapping the opponent side as I pick up the leg. I will try to attach photos of what I am talking about.

[Dorothy Hunt]

Karen, that's almost exactly my arrangement; the only difference is that instead of the halter and lead I use a butt board.
Radar

[Richard Lombardo]

Radar:

Do you have pictures of your setup at home that you can post? I don't remember seeing a butt board setup at the Advanced Training course in July. Once we get ourselves moved and are able to build a barn, we'll incorporate Marty's barn design using a butt board in the appropriate place. I have an idea what this board may look like, but a picture is worth a 1000 words.


Thanks,
(Your CHS in Kansas)
Rich Lombardo

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I have posted a number of photos of the Camelidynamics handling facility along with the plans in the library. http://www.camelidynamicsguild.com/guildForum/showthread.php?t=703
I have a helper on hand and so I have not had the need for a butt board so that is not part of my facility. If you have a balancer it is much quicker and easier to go that route.