When we designed the farm layout "way back when" we put in a an access road which runs through the middle of the farm.

This road enables us to herd the alpaca from one pasture to another quickly and easily and was one of our best decisions. However, this wasn't always so.

I designed the original road road through property so that a tractor can U turn through 180 degrees without having to reverse. Trust me if you have the space its a great idea.

The problem this creates is that the pasture gates do not swing wide enough to block off the road.

So I invented the "pocket gate" a simple piece of expanding cord normally used to hold down loads in the back of trucks. A metal hook at each end and some fluorescent tape to make the cord more visible. Now I can put a gate/barrier across the road whenever and wherever I need one!







The idea works so well we keep one at every field entrance just in case. They are really useful when you are working alone as so many of us do. The ideal height is about three feet off the floor. Just too low to duck under and just too high to jump over (without an effort).
Obviously cria will walk under without a second thought so you need to bear this in mind and in that situation I will simply use a second Pocket Gate to create a two strand barrier - simple really.

Adrian Stewart




Adrian Stewart