Readiness for catch rope and wand

Discussion in 'Herding & Catching' started by Elisabeth, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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    Earlier on this forum I mentioned I lacked an adequate catch pen. Well, I now have the loan of some really good livestock fence panels (5' high by 10' long , making a 10 x10 pen) for 6 weeks. I am hoping to work on my llamas 2 x every weekend for the time I have these. (I work weekdays, and it is dark by about 6:30 still, so just enough time to feed, before dark. I am hoping it will be light enough to do a bit more in about 3 weeks.) after the panels go back to their owner, I do have some ideas now about how to improve on my current 12 x 15 pens, so that I can continue progress. So...

    I have been reading my copy of the Camelid Companion and practicing with my two llamas in the catch pen. I think one of them is about ready for the catch rope but I am hesitant because I feel like there is a step missing. Should I be doing something to get her used to being touched by either the wand or the catch rope? She is normally pretty used to my near proximity, however I am pretty sure she has never been touched before. Should I try to get her accustomed to the touch of the wand and or rope (on her neck or shoulder?) before I try to swing it over her head to catch her? If she is not accustomed to it's presence, I am thinking I will have to be lightning quick to be able to "catch" her with it, and that this is perhaps not the best way? I have been reaching out over top of her back behind her neck with the wand, and usually she just looks slightly annoyed with this or starts to move. If i inadvertently touch her with it, she will flinch/crouch/kick. Should I touch her intentionally to get her used to it?

    My other llama is going to take more time. He is a very high strung rescue, with some obvious non-fixable problems - I'm hoping to work on the fixable ones eventually.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2020
  2. marty mcgee bennett

    marty mcgee bennett Administrator

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  3. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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  4. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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  5. marty mcgee bennett

    marty mcgee bennett Administrator

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  6. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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  7. marty mcgee bennett

    marty mcgee bennett Administrator

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  8. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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  9. Elisabeth

    Elisabeth Associate Member

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  10. marty mcgee bennett

    marty mcgee bennett Administrator

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