Sunday, February 13, 2022 Icy paths kept us in the barn but we did get two of the babies started on a halter yesterday. Benji was having a nap with his mom and we didn’t want to disturb him and sine there were 2 of us it made sense to start with the 2 girls. They were a bit upset at being confined in the catch pen, but we used gentle calm handling to win them over. Putting a halter on a stressed animal is not a good way to start, but boy wonder is one of the gentlest souls I know so he was perfect for calming them. Then we got the halters fitted and let them deal with that for a bit. Then after a while we attached a lead and once they get used to the idea that someone is controlling their head, we ask them to take one step. If they take one step we release all pressure on the lead. Repeat over and over until one step becomes many. Always being calm and never in a hurry. Both girls did so well and when training was over and we took the halters off, Raina especially just wanted to stay and gaze at her gentle trainer. Glad I was able to capture it. Happy Sunday!
Photo of the Day: Before we put any halter on we make sure the girls are calm. Breathing calmly helps them calm down. They were pretty panicked when we first put them in the pen. But it didn’t take long for them to realize we were not going to hurt them.
Proper halter fit is very important, and then we give them time to adjust to this thing on their face before we attach a lead.
Ruthie gets used to the idea that someone is controlling her head. She really did quite well for her first time. Zariah as always is asking for pellets. Blue is on the floor observing.
Training is over, halter and leads removed and Raina thanks her trainer for being so gentle.
Gigi Caito
Warms my heart❤️
Linda
Mine too. Thanks Gigi.
jill jackson
extra ordinary and so cute! thanks for sharing! Do any of your “kids” JUST refuse to have a halter put on?
Linda
Some of them definitely fight it more than others, but if we get them started young enough they always come around. I purchased an adult once that I assumed had been halter trained (I mean Who would send an alpaca on a transport trailer without any halter experience?!?!?) and she is one who we just let her do her thing. She gets so stressed about a halter it just isn’t worth it for now, because she is not going any where and on shearing day, the handlers don’t use halters.
Paul Richardson
Linda, you are a magician. I’ve been having a troubled soul these past few weeks due the trucker’s convoy in our nation’s capital of Ottawa and the way it has been mishandled by all. The truckers have shown disrespect to our flag, the national war memorial & the tomb of the unknown soldier. This is the first time in 2 years that I have felt the mental sress of the pandemic however, thanks to your post today especially the the last photo of your grandson & Raina I felt the tension melt away. Alpaca’s eyes have always been a source of wonder for me, deep pools of knowledge & love. This scene does more for the soul than any pill or therapy. Is there any way to purchase a copy of the photo? I feel I might be needing this “photo-therapy” for awhile. Thanks again Linda.
Linda
Oh Paul thanks for your kind words. Please send an email to me at linda@bluemoonranch.net and we’ll talk about getting you a print.