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Greetings Camelid Enthusiasts!

In my part of the world the grass is greening and the weather is warming. We are planning for shows and getting ready to welcome new babies. Shearing is right around the corner with many camelid enthusiasts right in the midst of it. In other countries the summer is drawing to a close and winter isn't too far away. It is both exciting and comforting to be a part of this world-wide community. Whatever the season at your house…

Happy Handling,

 

 

 

 

In this issue …

Growing The Guild

For those of you who have not joined the Guild or logged onto the Guild Forum lately, please visit, have a look around and consider joining. At this writing there are 586 topics and 2323 posts. I have read every one of these posts and the volume of valuable, reliable information is astounding. I have learned so much from participating in these dialogues and reading the feedback from other owners, Camelidynamics Practitioners and Handlers and veterinarians.

People who read the Camelid Companion or attend a clinic and want to relate to and manage their animals using Camelidynamics sometimes feel a bit isolated. The Guild and online Forum and will make you feel a part of this very special subset of camelid enthusiasts. Your email box will not be flooded with unwanted mail as you only get the posts that you ask for along with the weekly (approximately) digest of posts. The tips in this issue are taken from the Forum.

In addition to this wonderful feeling of community, Guild members receive:

2007 Clinics

I am gradually cutting down on 2–Day Basics Clinics around the country to focus on advanced and special trainings here at the Camelidynamics Center. We're also busy producing new informational products such as booklets, DVD's and audio CD's. The 2–Day Clinics (full calendar listed on the website) are filling fast and some are full. If you are interested in attending 2–Day Basics Clinic with me this year, don't delay and sign up soon.

There are now more opportunities for learning than ever before. Practitioners are teaching 1– and 2–Day Clinics conducting demonstrations and participating in shows ALL OVER THE WORLD! For a complete listing of Practitioner clinics visit The Guild Calendar. This calendar is available to members and non–members alike.

The Camelidynamics Center

Following is a description of the four special clinics being held here in Bend at the Center. All of these clinics are filling fast (both advanced trainings are almost full). Feel free to call or email me directly (email me) if you have any questions about the trainings. For a complete description of our Center, the area, travel and lodging options and more download the Camelidynamics Center Guide.

June 2—6: COMBO CLINIC Handling, Shearing & Marketing

$600 (Early Bird Tuition: $540 by 4/6)
Instructors: Marty McGee Bennett, Marcus Whitman, Cathryn Castle

Get the tools of Camelidynamics in the 2–day Basics Clinic with Marty, then learn how to create a safe and efficient shearing experience for you and your animals with breeder and shearer Marcus Whitman. While you can try your hand at the shears themselves if you want to this is not a shearing clinic as much as a how to support and organize for your shearer clinic. To complete your learning experience, creative professional Cathyrn Castle Whitman will help you define and implement your advertising and marketing program.

June 23—27: 4–day ADVANCED CLINIC

$715 (Early Bird Tuition: $650 by 4/23)
Instructor: Marty McGee Bennett

July 28—Aug 1: 4-day ADVANCED CLINIC

$715 (Early Bird Tuition: $650 by 5/28)
Instructor: Marty McGee Bennett

The Advanced Clinic is the opportunity to get a higher level of skill in camelid handling using the Camelidynamics approach. If you want to get more done in less time with less stress, you will get the simple tools and techniques that make a big difference. The Advanced Clinics are a key requirement for certification in the higher levels of the Camelidynamics Guild: Practitioners and Camelidynamics Handlers. Pre–Req: 2–Day Basics Clinic.

August 25—30: 3–WAY CLINIC Handling, Fiber & Health

$799 (Early Bird Tuition: $725 by 6/25)
Instructors: Marty McGee Bennett, Amanda VandenBosch, Dr. Toni Cotton, DVM

Learn the essentials from the alpaca experts, Marty McGee Bennett, Amanda VandenBosch and Dr. Toni Cotton during this 5–day clinic. Extensive hands–on practice with alpacas, their fleece, showing skills, how to assess conformation and fiber and their medical needs. Marty will be supervising all the animal handling for the entire clinic which means you get tons of handling practice!. Applying Marty's 2–day Basics Clinic to the fiber and medical portions of this clinic will give you an extraordinary advantage in the alpaca business.

Learn more:Download the Camelidynamics Center Guide

Register: Complete Registration Form included in Center Guide.

Questions: Contact marty@camelidynamics.com or 541-318-5026

Clinics fill quickly, don't delay.

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Very Special Vet Clinic!

The FIRST and ONLY one of its kind! Dr. Toni Cotton will offer a special one day clinic for veterinary health professionals at the Camelidynamics Center in Bend.

August 31 Camelid Handling for Veterinarians & Techs

Instructors: Toni Cotton & Marty McGee Bennett
$220 (Early Bird Rate: $175 Paid By June 30, 2007)

Join these industry leaders for a full day of hands-on medical handling, taught specifically for veterinary professionals. Learn specific handling techniques to make your job easier and more fulfilling. Learn diagnostic procedures and how to perform them in a way that is easiest for the animals, you, your staff and your clients. Learn:

  • Venipuncture, catheter placement
  • Pre–Breeding reproductive examinations
  • Ultrasound examinations for pregnancy
  • Advanced reproductive diagnostic procedures

We need a variety of alpacas for the clinic, who will get a substantial discount on any medical procedures performed. If you know of an alpaca who needs a diagnostic work–up, email marty@camelidynamics.com.

Learn more: Download the Camelidynamics Center Guide

Register: Complete Registration Form included in Center Guide.

Questions: Contact marty@camelidynamics.com or 541-318-5026

LIMITED ATTENDANCE! SIGN UP NOW.

Halter Helper

One of the best new tools developed last year and catching on like wild fire is the Halter Helper. This tool bridges the gap between the catch rope and using no tools at all to catch and halter your llama or alpaca. The Halter Helper is also invaluable for performing management techniques or medical work with animals that have not been halter trained. Visit the store to see step by step how to use the Halter Helper.

Tips from the Forum

Guild Members and Practitioners are moving and shaking! I wanted to share with you some fabulous work organized by P1 Tiffany Miller and Camelidynamics Handler Karin Finch called Camp Cria.

I was particularly impressed with the innovative use of mirrors. I have now ordered several acrylic mirrors for the Camelidynamics Center and can't wait to begin using them. I was chatting with Dr. Norm Evans about the great idea of using. He mentioned that you might be able to increase the intake of fleece minerals or other supplements by putting a safety mirror on the barn wall just above the minerals.

Then your llamas and alpacas (at least the vain ones) will have reason to visit the mineral station and might just partake!

Here's an excerpt of Tiffany's post about Camp Cria:

As a service to the small ranchers in our area Karin Finch, of White Oak Alpacas, and I have developed Camp Cria. It is a 6–week weaning and training service meant to provide a safe environment where the cria can run, play and bond with other newly weaned crias while being handled and trained by me, a Camelidynamics Practitioner, in preparation for the show ring.

The first week that the cria is on ranch everything is low–key. Because being away from mom is scary our focus is to calmly reassure them of their new routine while they are meeting new friends and bonding.

The second week I start hands–on work. I begin slowly with an introduction to handling and work into haltering, leading and using obstacles. Our lessons are three times a week. I work with them in a group.

By week six we are ready for the final class-a Mock Show. The owners show their own crias while Karin acts as Judge and I am Ring Steward. Before the 'show' I discuss the importance of proper halter fit and the basics of leading.

This event showcases the animals progress over the six weeks as well as provides important information regarding showing and gives owners a heads-up regarding their crias response to a show ring environment.

I know it is a lot, but the crias do exceedingly well and the level of nervousness and fear is reduced rather quickly. Best of all they realize that humans can be trusted and are fun!

We had our first Camp Cria graduation on February 24th. They all did so well standing to have their teeth, testicles and fleece looked at! It was a great success and here is one comment I received from an owner/breeder (actually another Guild member!) whose cria attended 'camp':

"…Don Avante walked confidently beside my wheelchair while Magic took in the sights walking closely by Connie's side. Wow! I couldn't believe this was happening... It was just a few weeks back when haltering either of these boys would have been a job requiring some kind of trap with tricks … I could write a caption for Magic saying “go ahead - make my day!” if approached with a halter or catch rope… In six weeks we attended their graduation and witnessed them stand tall, proud and obey commands in a mock show… We are amazed at the difference in their attitudes and character! We can only say “thanks Tiffany and Karin for doing such a great job at your Camp Cria”

We are offering another Camp Cria on April 9th and will offer these lessons again in January 2008.…

See the full report here:

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