Testimonials: experiencing is believing!

“My alpacas are new people!”
Cynthia Carr
Zen Alpacas at Gossamer Farms,
Cammillus, NY

Marty,
Donna and I wish to thank you again for the great, common sense, respectful skills you helped us to understand and practice with the beautiful alpacas and llamas this past weekend in beautiful Fresno, CA!!!!! We are really looking forward to more of the same in September. We, of course, are spreading the word to the folks in our neck of the woods about your philosophy of respect, your skills and great ability to "talk" to the animals. You are very professional, helpful and thorough which we really admire. Take care, see 'ya soon,
Carol and Donna
American Pride Alpacas, LLC
Shingle Springs, CA

HI Marty, I guess it took just this for me to write this note that I have been composing in my head for the last year and a half. I promise not to include all that has run through my head in that time cause it just might be a bit too much for your computer to handle. Perhaps it is enough for you to know that I have told you about so many beautiful moments that I have shared with my llamas since attending your clinic in WY. I was one of two lucky people who got you to ourselves and I was the pregnant one. My time with the llamas is 95% routine chores and is my sanity time! We did get one chance to go to the mountains this summer and the boys did so well I was amazed. Rupert, who I brought to the clinic along with Anna, accepted his packs and carried them as though it were old hat and crossed his first creek without an ounce of hesitation . All this from just utilizing your catch pen and haltering techniques as i have had time for very little else. THANKS!
Kerri

Hello Marty, You asked that I let you know what I learned from coming to a second clinic. Of course I came home with Marty said ......well Marty said. Tracy and I are very excited about a new level of "people" training. We are rethinking many aspects of the way we interact with our alpacas. I learned many distinctions on most every aspect of handling which have already proven very helpful. When you see a movie for the second time you pick up so many more details than the first time. We had gotten away form the catch rope as it seemed that no one really had a problem being caught. I was surprised at different responses I got with the catch rope. Also a new level of appreciation for honoring their space, letting them know my intention, and asking. Looking at what and how I could do it different, so they are. I stopped writing here when my help arrived. We just finished rounding up the girls then boys, we got every ones weight and then all had shots and not one halter was worn. WOW we are truly amazed. I even got to work with our jumping jack Tex. For the first time I believed he paid attention instead of how do I escape. Well that in it's self is worth the price of the ticket.
Well, once again I thank you so very much.
Kathryn in Texas

Attending your clinic before I bought any animals was the single most intelligent thing I have done since getting involved with llamas. I'd never before owned any livestock and I was amazed at what I didn't know and how much more comfortable I was with my decision once I'd gone thru your handling class.
Marian

Marty I want to thank you so much, because I just made this wonderful experience and I owe this to you and your book!!!!

I had my first alpaca baby last weekend. It was still winter over here and the baby was a little early. I had to do all these things that I never wanted to do (unless of course I had to, which was the case). She was to weak to drink from the mother (no colostrum), she did not poop. So we had to milk the mother, give the baby several (!) enema.

The vet had to come the next morning to clean out her bowels with this finger, that poor little thing.It was all really horrible. I had no idea how to milk an alpaca, actually, I had never milked any animal before. The breeder told me that we had to lay down the mother, hold her down, with a leg over her neck and hold her legs with the hands, so we could milk her. This was such a horrible experience.

So I tried what you mentioned in your book, use a very warm cloth to do TTouches on her utter. She really like it and stopped moaning right away. When she calmed down like that, we tried milking her, while she was standing up, doing Ttouches on her utter and then my daughter was milking her while I did ear- and mouth Ttouches. After one day we are now able to just milk her after doing the utter -TTouches, and it is now a one person job, nobody has to hold her. She just stands still while we are milking her, even though she was an imported animal from Chile. She was so very scared of us and now that. I can't believe this, I had tears in my eyes the first time this worked. So, THANK YOU MARTY!!!!!!!! :-)

I just hope, little one is ever going to drink from mom on her own. She looks for the teats but it seems like she just can't find them. We started to milk mom and leave a little milk on the utter, but that did not help. I guess I have to be patient.

I was asked to write an article for the German TTEAM Newsletter. They want me to translate one of your articles and then write something about my own experience. So I guess, now have have something to write about. Thanks again! Take care
Billie from Germany

I thought I 'd write you and let you know how things are going at our farm since attending your 3 day clinic at Hickory Bluff Farms about a week ago. There is only one word I can think of that expresses our feelings and that is FANTASTIC!

I have been practicing the techniques that you taught us and it is really paying off. First, baby Ivan is*starting to*walk on lead. He is only taking about 5 or 6 steps at a time, but wow, what a difference. He is not fighting or playing mule.

Another great success is Mienta, formally known as "Physco B****". I am catching her with the catch rope and wand. Then when adjusted, I massage the back of her head, ears, and muzzle. She has been letting me haulter her with no problem. But today was....well...just amazing.

I had a vet appointment this morning, an ultrasound for Mienta to see if she was still pregnant. I usually can not catch the alpacas, let alone take them to the vet by myself, but today I was on my own. I took the two alpacas that had to go to the vet and put them in the catch pen by using the herding tape. Then I got the catch rope out, caught one at a time, haulter them, and loaded them into the trailer with no even a wimper. Once at the vet, I went in connected the lead to Mienta's haulter and lead her out into the ultrasound area. There I placed my hands on Mienta in the bracelet hold and we stood there, balanced, and the vet just looked at us like we were crazy. She told me there was no way that alpaca was going to stand still for the ultrasound. I explained to her that I had just taken an alpaca handling seminar with you, that I felt confident that Mienta was balanced and would stand still for her. The vet was very hesitant, but proceed, and was shocked that Mienta ! just stood

I have suggested to our vet that they make arrangements to attend your clinic here in December at Fairhope Alpacas.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,
Jodie in Florida

Thank you so much for coming to Wisconsin this weekend and teaching us alpaca owners some very basic yet critically important aspects of handling our investments.

The clinic was laid out in a very thoughtful way. It made it easy for us owners to grasp the concept of the human to camelid relationship. It taught us balance. Not just physical balance for the animal but mental balance for the human. Most memorable was the roll playing part of what it is like to be at the other end of the lead rope.

You are a wonderful teacher and the value of your training far outweighed the fee. We could all tell that you have put your heart into educating the camelid owner public, teaching them that if these very special creatures are handled in a respectful way the beneficial reaction is one of great reward.

Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Tom in Minnesota

I've just finished reading your Camelid Companion book for about the third time in a week and wanted to contact you to tell you how much I've enjoyed and learned from it. I'm a behavioural scientist and neuropsychologist in Australia.

I teach mainly neuropsychology but just recently started up a new course in animal welfare, the first one of its kind in Australia. My research interests are in human-animal interactions, particularly working with companion animals such as dogs. I've worked with racehorses and other animals in the past but in different contexts.

I've spent the christmas break working with my new alpacas using your methods and can't believe how quickly they've progressed. I've always worked with animals and have gradually moved from the old crash and burn methods to the more gentler ones but I've never met an animal so much suited to these methods. When we visited alpaca studs to select our animals, they were universally caught by being herded into a small pen, jumped on and wrestled into submission.

I was sure there had to be a better way. Within a week of their arrival I can catch and handle all of my girls in their catch pen and they come to meet me when they see me walking out. I've had halters on five of the eight with very little fuss. I expected it to be much more difficult. My original plan was to get this generation to a point where I could get close enough to work with their babies, and to concentrate on the next generation, but I've now revised that considerably. My new aim is to have these ladies quiet enough to be shorn standing up by this time next year. Well some of them anyway!

I loved the way you expressed your ideas in the book in a way that 'normal' people can understand. I always struggle to convey the basic concepts of body language and where you should stand in relation to an animal. Cheers from Aus and thanks again for the great reading material.
Pauleen in Australia

Hi Marty: Just thought you might be interested in our little eye-opener; and may want to share this with others: San Diego just went through it's worst fire storm in recorded history; and we were in the middle of it. While we were extremely fortunate to NOT have to evacuate, with fire all around us, we began packing at 4 am with all intentions to jam all 9 llamas into our small trailer and leave for god-knows-where.

We like to be prepared, so we have numerous halters of various types: 3-way adjustable halters, lots of fixed nose halters that "came with the llamas, "several adjustable nose halters, and only 2 Zepher halters (aka "My Training Halters"). With growing babies and yearlings - it is hard to always have a halter sized and ready to fit. But, we were sure we had halters to fit everyone, there should never be a problem . . . right??? Wrong. As we rushed to pack all our stuff, gather up all the non-llama critters, and back the truck and trailer into the llama fields - ready to load - we also had to gather, pen, and halter all the llamas. Wouldn't you know - with only 9 llamas and over 20 halters - we didn't have halters enough to properly fit all the llamas without changing halters from one llama to the next until everyone looked halfway decent! And at a time like this, rapid and proper halter fit is even more critical than when leisurely preparing for a casual walk around the property!!

While our story may initially look like a great marketing tool, to us, it is a lifesaving tool. We have just ordered more Zepher Halters so that we will NEVER be in a situation like this again. It is more than a "training halter." The ease and adjustability (especially the headpiece) of this halter is exactly what we need in an emergency - to assure good fit for both a panic'd exit and during temporary housing at another ranch or facility.

Thank you to both you and Perry for designing these halters. Rick and I are sorry we were unable to attend this year's clinic at Joan's- but we're aiming for next year. Hope all is well. Look forward to seeing you soon at a clinic next year.
Rick & Wanda Crook

Dear Marty, "I just have to tell you again that I am having great success with my animals these days since the clinic. Some have gone from frantically trying to get out of the catch pen, to ending the session by not wanting to leave the catch pen as they watch in puzzlement when I suddenly stop massaging their heads and exit without them.

We enjoy each other so much more. I showed a woman some of the techniques the other day and she was able to get a halter on her three 18 month old boys for the first time. She was ecstatic and will be ordering a bunch of stuff. I did a shearing, and maintenance job that included cutting teeth. These two boys still liked me at the end of it all. We took our time and relaxed when we needed to with some mouth and ear work.

This has given me the direction I needed to find more meaning in my relationships with my animals. For example, the big pregnant one had a little black girl. After some work in the catch pen, now out in the paddock, I will walk up to her and work her head and back. The cria will come up and check me out and I have been able to begin to work her head as well.

They all look at me differently these days. We now have things to do together, so we spend more time together!"
Eric in Arizona

"I just wanted to drop a few lines about my experience with your clinic at Salvagno Farms. I KNEW that before I even got there that I was going to learn some 'big stuff' about my alpacas, but there is never a more tangible way to experience something than to really EXPERIENCE it-hands on! Not only did your knowledge about camelids 'enthrall' all of us, but your WIT and willingness to help the 'ignorant' really entrapped us in a way of encouragement that there is HOPE for the handlers!!

On the way home from your clinic on Saturday, I found myself mentally going through the 4Point process, catch rope, TTeam touch, haltering process! I also found myself at 11:30 pm reading your new book, almost unable to put it down, and my husband saying, "You know, if you're tired, wouldn't it be smart to PUT THE BOOK DOWN"!??

The next day, on the way to Litchfield, I did the same mental process of balancing my animal, walking, etc., etc. It's almost an obsessive madness you have steered me to! Now, two days after your clinic, I have dove headfirst into your book, and am already halfway through. Your presentations, pictures, and style of writing makes for easy and educational reading!! Well done(if I do say so myself-from an amateur point of view)!

Anyway, thanks again for a great seminar! I'm so glad I got to meet you, knowing your reputation for being so AWESOME with camelids!! I was NOT disappointed in the least!!"
Heather in Ohio

"On the Camelid Companion book wow, wow, wow, it's more amazing than I imagined. I thought the price scary but it's so worth it. It's huge, with so many photos it's going to take forever to read :-) It's very easy to read and understand and with so many photos easy to follow. This has got to be a must buy for anyone training, it's obviously something you would be continuously referring to for years."
Julie in New Zealand

"I (and two of my young male alpacas) attended our 1st T Team Clinic held in July '01 at Salvagno Farms in Ohio. I attended the clinic without my husband, who had former horse training, and was one of those "tie 'em up to a rope attached to an inner tube and tie 'em to a sturdy fencepost" types. One of the young male alpacas I brought with me to the clinic was a "raise up on my hind legs and maybe they'll let me go" types, whenever attached to a halter & lead rope. Anyway, within a very short time with you at the Clinic, he was leading like a charm!!

I had told you when I left the Clinic and arrived home that I intended to park a good ways from the barn, call out for my husband to observe, and "halter walk" this guy right up the long driveway and back into the pasture. You asked me to let you know my husband's reaction. He just stood there watching, and being a very expressive individual, he said, "I'm impressed"! So, after putting up with my chatter about the Clinic throughout the remainder of the evening and into the next day, he read "The Camelid Companion" front to back (which I've also done), and we began our new halter-handling program almost immediately. We're both enjoying using the body positioning and watching the animals' responses...it's really pretty funny to watch because I can't keep a big grin off my face, and my husband (Mr. Stoneface) has decided that whenever we sell an animal to a new customer, our standard gift package to them will include: A Zephyr halter & lead rope, The Camelid Companion, Nail Nippers w/Holster and (from another source), a small "First Aid for Camelids" booklet.

I've also told my husband, Jim, that I want him to attend your Clinic whenever there's another one reasonably nearby our area. I've told him there's no way I could cover everything adequately (even with my endless chatter). Lastly my husband is getting much better at allowing the animals "time to think" about what he wants them to do, which I've always tried to get him to do. That little thing alone pays off in spades. In any event, thanks again for a terrific eye opener and one of the best times I've ever had at a clinic."
Sharon in Ohio

"Attending your clinic at Creekside Breeders, was the absolutely best thing I have done since buying my first alpaca. Your methods work with such ease. It's funny to realize that I was the one who needed the training, not the alpacas. Working with them in a way they feel comfortable has made a world of difference. THANK YOU!!! I learned so much in such a short time; I plan on attending another clinic next year to fine tune my skills. Thanks again from my alpacas & me!"
Amy in New York

"I attended your training clinic in PA in August. I cannot tell you the number of times I've said to myself "I am so glad I went to Marty's clinic". The day my two alpacas escaped, the knowledge I had from you teaching us about herding saved me from God knows what (along with unexpected help from my Golden Retriever).

I want also to tell you that after working with my guys under different circumstances, I became highly cognizant of how and why you designed your alpaca gear the way that you did. Things made for other animals (like leashes and stuff) do not work very well on alpacas. Just to point out specifically, the light flat lead is second to none in giving signals, the little part of light rope at the end makes a huge difference in comfort and control, as well as the clasp that hooks to the halter. I used a dog's leash one day so I could have them both on a lead at once and the little guy was confused and irritated with the heavy clasp hooked to his halter. It just seemed to be so clumsy so I took it off him.

You have done an awesome job refining all the essentials for training and caring for these guys. I just ordered another extension lead so that I would have two of them, I hope to walk these guys together so we can venture out into the free world as a treat (when they escaped they seemed to be completely intrigued). I hope things are going well. I am looking forward to you possibly having another clinic near me in Ohio next year, I want to attend another one. I would like to say thank you so much for all that you taught at the clinic, it is a good thing that you are doing."
Warmly, Linda in Pennsylvania

"We haven't been home a week and are putting to use your methods. I knew how great they were from the 96 Clinic but having Randy as my partner has produced great results. The female I spoke about at the clinic that kushed and or spit, pee'd and farted all at the same time needed her nails trimmed and a Ivomec shot before leaving for breeding today. We don't have pens with round bars so Randy rigged up a rope and caribiner around a vertical post in one of our stalls. He then caught her up with catch rope, haltered her and tied her in taming the Tiger. She kushed when I tried to trim her nails but I proceeded by reaching under, getting each foot and doing the best I could. He kept her head balanced. I gave her the shot and the whole time she was relaxed, no spitting, not even a gurgle! We didn't have to use drugs and she was 'present' the whole time. His finesse and the short tugs got her over her reluctance about loading in to the trailer without having to use muscle. We can't say enough about the immediate results using gentle persuasion."
Karin in Washington

"Your book is excellent! I have been feeling bad that I do not have a good relationship with my new animals. Now I know why!! And what to do."
Pamela in Wisconsin

"I have just finished watching the video called Camelid Handling Secrets, by Marty McGee and Dr. David Anderson. This tape in fantastic. It shows you simple methods of herding, giving vaccines, working in chutes, collecting fecal samples etc... I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to find easier ways to work with your animals. There is a second tape coming out for those of us who have animals with very bad manners and behaviour patterns. I will definitely be getting this one also. It was my Christmas gift to myself this year and well worth it !!!"
Bonnie in Ontario