I know what you are all thinking. What a berk ,he went and cut the alpacas toenails so short he made them bleed...well if you think that, then you are mistaken! But you will have to read on to discover the truth behind the headlines.

The Magical Farms v Land O'Lakes alpaca trial was not in session on Friday the 23rd so nothing to report.

Today our youngest son Angus is 14 so we will be celebrating.

Now what were we talking about? Oh yes cutting the alpaca's toenails.



Apart from Santo one of our big studs who cries like a new born cria at toenail cutting time the other boys don't appear to bat an eyelid.

So we were almost finished cutting when iIwent to do the back right leg on one particular boy. He has pretty thick nails and you need to apply pressure to cut through even with sharp clippers..and they were sharp!

All was going well, then in a split second three things happened at once.
As the clippers when through his nail with a sudden click he decided to kick and as the clippers completed their journey through his toenail they now also collected the thumb of my left hand, which had been holding his foot.

The blades went straight through my nail and the tip of my finger. "Ouch my thumb" I cried or words to that effect!!!



It was just like when you slice the top of a boiled egg.... except it would not stop bleeding.

Whenever I cut alpaca toenails I am always cautious about accidentally clipping an alpaca but I never imagined I could cut myself. You have been warned..clip with care and keep a first aid kit in the barn...I was very glad of mine today.

Adrian Stewart click here to go to Mulberry Alpacas

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