Ranch Visits
  At
Twisted Lock Alpacas, ranch visits are always welcome. We seem to get the most
visits on weekends, but we welcome visitors at any time. Please call for an
appointment, since we may be busy doing "ranch stuff", like birthing crias,
working with the vet, fence maintenance, halter training, or groundskeeping.
Ours is a gated property, and for the most part not visible from the main
thoroughfare, so you'll want to ensure we're aware of your plans to visit.
  We
recommend closed-toed shoes and jeans, since our alpacas and our dogs have been
known to take a liking to visitors. Both seem to enjoy petting. Should you
decide to enjoy our pool, feel free to bring appropriate swimming attire.
Children are allowed only with adult supervision at all times!
  Alpacas
are great with children. Presumably due to their smaller stature, children seem
less intimidating to the alpacas. Please prepare children, especially the
younger ones, by explaining that alpacas frighten easily, and are particularly
disturbed by running, jumping, grabbing, yelling...that sort of thing. Alpacas
are very much like cats, and prefer a quieter, gentler approach.
  Many
people ask whether alpacas spit. They do, though rarely at humans. They will
spit at each other when squabbling over food. On rare occasions, humans may
inadvertently intercept, usually by being between two feuding alpacas at
precisely the wrong time. In the extremely unlikely event this occurs, it is
important to remember that alpaca 'spit' is comprised primarily of air and dried
or slightly damp grass and hay. There is generally some odor, which only lingers
for a minute or two. It is the surprise of being 'spit' upon that people react
to, more so than the actual act. Again, I stress that it is highly unusual
for this to happen to humans.
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