Handling
Alpacas have a bit of a reputation for being hard to handle but with a few simple techniques you can handle your alpacas so they do what you want – in fact they become part of the family.
At Cresta Viento Alpacas Linley uses the CameliDynamics™ method of handling alpacas. This method was developed by Marty McGee Bennett over 25 years ago to enable alpacas to be handled in a non-threatening, stress-free way so both handler and animal get the best from every encounter.
The method is easy to learn and use and saves you time. It’s based on four principles:
- Kindness
- Respect
- Effectiveness
- Fun
When Linley bought her first alpacas she struggled with the basic tasks of toenail clipping, penning, haltering, and vaccinating her new alpacas. As the sole manager of her alpaca herd she needed a way to handle and manage her animals that didn’t require brute force. She wanted something less stressful for both her and her alpacas.
Linley came across CameliDynamics™ and attended a training workshop. She is now a registered member of the CameliDynamics Guild. From this point on her alpaca encounters went far more smoothly. She manages all the tasks with a minimum of stress and without that notorious alpaca spit!
Alpaca haltering
Alpacas are “semi-obligate nasal breathers”. It’s a mouth-full but it basically means they can not survive if forced to breathe solely through their mouths.
They have a very short nose bone on which to place a halter, which has major consequences for both alpaca and handler. If the halter is incorrectly fitted and slips forward on the nose it will interfere with the alpaca’s breathing. The alpaca will understandably feel threatened and act up. Fitting the halter correctly means the nose band stays high up on the nose no matter what.
Haltering an alpaca
How to adjust a halter:
- Before you start make sure the noseband is opened larger than you think you need.
- Make sure you know where the nose bone is on your alpaca – place one hand beneath the jaw-bone, standing beside your alpaca at the shoulder. Reach over the alpaca – they like to be rubbed between the ears – and run your hand gently down the nose feeling where the bone goes.
- In the same position slip the nose band over the nose and move it up high on the alpaca’s face to sit just below the level of the eyes.
- Tighten the crown strap behind the ears until the halter is fitted snugly and will not move around.
- Check the position after 5-10 minutes to ensure your alpaca is comfortable.
Working with alpacas
Linley uses the principles of CameliDynamics™ when working with her alpacas. The techniques are simple and by starting out in this way you and your alpaca will get along famously.
When handling your alpaca you want him or her to do nothing, i.e. you don’t want them to run away, leap into the air, spit at you and skitter away. You do want your alpaca to stand still while you catch, halter or inject, clip toenails or scan for pregnancy.
CameliDynamics™ is all about working with your alpaca in a non-threatening way. You learn what your alpaca finds threatening and what he or she is comfortable with, and using simple techniques you can work with their natural instincts.
Tools for alpaca handling
There are four basic tools that will help you to handle your alpacas in a non-threatening way:
- A catch-pen
- Wand
- Catch-rope
- Herding tape
A catch-pen – a simple catch-pen 2.5 – 3 metres square or rectangular is perfect for handling alpacas. Four gates lashed together works wonderfully providing it has horizontal bars and will confine your alpacas without falling over.
Alpaca wand – you can purchase wands from a number of suppliers. The long, flexible wand is an extension of your arm and will act as a guide. Your alpaca will learn to stop when the wand is in front of its face and move forward when it is taken away.
Catch-rope – a catch-rope is excellent in combination with a wand. It needs to be smooth and approximately 3.5 metres long. A clip on the wand will allow you to catch your alpaca from well outside the range of your reach.
Herding tape – this is the ultimate in transportable fences. A long length of tape, up to 40 metres, attached to a fixed point at one end – like the end of your catching pen gate – it is used to herd alpacas. They will always take the path of least resistance so a mere piece of tape is enough to herd them in the direction you want them to go.
There is more information about handling alpacas in this PDF.
Contact Us for more information.
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