Thank you for your purchase. Our Top Gun and Pro Series alpaca shearing restraints are constructed of high quality, marine grade blocks, line and hardware. They have been designed by professional shearers to provide years of trouble free use. Shearers and alpaca owners in the United States and eight foreign countries have made the Top Gun and Pro series restraints one of the best selling camelid handling tools in the world.
RESTRAINT SETUP
Select shearing area. This area should be level, well-lit, and be large enough for good people /animal flow. If working outside, a canopy or similar shelter should be provided for shade or weather. Minimum space requirement for the anchor points is 16 feet (5 meters) apart to allow adequate extension. If working with large alpaca or llama, 18 to 20 feet between anchor points should be allowed.
The Restraints are of a two piece design. One piece with the blocks (pulleys) and leg ropes, and the second piece with just the leg ropes. Each piece is equipped with a carabiner, that is attached to the anchor point. Depending on what type of anchor point is used, the connection may be an eyescrew, another piece of rope or chain, etc. It is preferred to have a slightly longer length and come back towards the middle than too short a distance between anchor points, as this will not allow full extension.
Once the anchor points have been established, connect the carabiner with the pulleys and fully extend the leg set. The knot in the rope should be up against the pulley with the cam cleats.
Attach leg set without pulleys to other anchor point. Ideally, the two sets of leg loops should be about 30 inches (70 cm) apart. This is the general distance between an average-sized alpaca’s front and rear legs when standing naturally. This distance can be adjusted by pulling the end of the rope with the knot.
BRING IN THE ALPACA
Lead alpaca to shearing area next to leg sets with the alpaca facing pulley anchor. It is safest to have a handler holding the animal’s head, and another handler steadying the animal’s hips. A third person then puts the loops over each leg above the ankle (pastern) joint, and pulls the loops tight. On heavily fibered animals it may be necessary to push the fiber up as the loops are put on. After all four legs are looped, the loose end of the pulley rope with the knot is pulled until the alpaca is stretched. The handlers at the head and hips help to ease the animal down while the rope is pulled. The rope with the knot must be pulled back towards the animal so that it engages the cam cleats on the pulley.
RELEASE
To release tension on the restraints, the loose end with the knot is pulled backwards towards the anchor, popping it out of the cam cleats. Before rope is released, a handler should be holding the alpacas head down and a handler putting pressure on the hips until the leg loops are removed and it is safe to allow the animal to get to its feet.