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Thursday, July 5, 2012
Brady practicing showmanship with Jude.
Here in Indiana it has been in the upper 90's and lower 100's for awhile (abnormal to be in the 100s here!), not to mention the official drought we are enduring! In other words, it's HOT and DRY here! But, that doesn't stop the fair from approaching quickly! Luckily I am home in the summers, so I am able to work with the boys and our animals every day. Each morning we are in the barn by 7:15am to start our routine. We walk the 4-H lambs on the treadmill while the boys clean the poop piles. Then the boys work on showing the sheep and preparing them for the fair. When they get done with the sheep we move on to working with the alpacas. Cameron is in his 4th year of 4-H. Since he has done very well in the past with his alpaca, Z, at the fair, we decided to give him a new challenge this year! Instead of showing Z, he'll be showing Jude! Jude is only 9 months old and has a nervous personality, like his momma! It's definitely been challenging, alright! But, all is going very well!
To help Jude with training, we always bring Lady out also. Lady is very well trained and makes for a great leader. Since Brady is in mini 4-H he can't take his own alpaca to the fair. Cameron is his 4-H mentor (convenient, isn't it?). Therefore, Brady has to show Jude also. But since both kids need to practice, and there is only one Jude, Brady is the one who usually practices with Lady.
But then there is Mystique, our nearly 2-month old cria and our youngest son, Gage. They BOTH need trained too! Two days ago we started to add Mystique to the practice line up. Since she jumps around so much, Cameron takes her. This gives Brady time with Jude. It also puts Gage, our 6-year-old, on Lady. Gage was so scared at first! He cried for daddy... But as you can see by the picture, he is as proud as a peacock now! He can take Lady through the obstacle course with no problems! (actually SHE takes him - she knows what she is doing!)
I love practicing with the boys and the alpacas each morning. Today the forecast is calling for 105°! With Indiana humidity, it will feel like 109°!! I'm glad we get out, work hard, and get done before it gets too hot! Hopefully, all of their hard work will pay off at the fair and other alpaca shows this year! We hope to show all of these three in the fall and next spring! And just think, we get to halter train five more crias this winter! :)
Cameron is halter training Mystique.
Gage is joining in the fun with Lady.
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