In most cases alpacas are shorn lying down and stretched out with hobbles. While some alpacas do not like it, the hobbles do not harm the animal, nor does the process of laying them down. Restraining them is safer for the animal and the humans involved.
As I do not work with a team, I depend on my customers’ willingness to handle their own animals and work with me under my direction to safely hobble them and restrain them during shearing. I shear on the ground, which requires everyone to be able to kneel or sit on the ground. If you are unable to do so, please provide able bodied helper(s).
The shearing station consists of a 12 x 12 tarp laid on out the ground in the shade or under a shelter. Please clear rocks and debris before laying down the tarp. Tie down points should be 12-18 feet apart. In this picture T-posts have been pounded. In many cases trees, fence posts or barn beams can be utilized and no posts will need to be pounded, however it is important that the tie down points are within 1 foot of the ground.
In addition, if there are many animals to be shorn, your shearer appreciates a table to set my gear on and a chair to sit on for changing blades.
