Dear Curiosity Journal,
On Saturday morning, our good friend, Kelly, came over to help me shear Ralphy. Angora goats need to be shorn twice a year because their mohair fiber grows so fast. If you wait an entire year, you will have mats, dreads, and a goat drowning in their own locks. They can produce up to 17 lbs of fiber per year. When I got Ralphy, he was behind on his haircuts and pretty matted, so I painstakingly clipped him with scissors this spring. Saturday was my first time cutting his fiber with the electric shears, and I admit I was pretty nervous about cutting him. Usually, I do the holding and Rufus does the clipping, but I want to learn the process and must work through the nerves of putting a blade to their skin. Kelly did an amazing job, setting an intention to stay calm, taking her time, and making the clipping as painless as possible for Ralphy. He was such a good boy throughout his haircut. I only nicked him one time, but it was a decent slice on the loose skin around his neck, making me feel horrible. I treated the cut with iodine and it seems to be drying up pretty quickly, but I still feel awful. Although I had more “second cuts” than I would have liked, I erred on the side of cutting long rather than risking bloodshed. I am signed up to attend the UW Madison shearing school this winter at the Arlington Sheep Research Unit, where I hope to learn the proper techniques and tips for shearing. I know even the professionals nick the skin sometimes, and it takes practice to become confident with the clippers, but there’s nothing like cutting one of the animals you love to make you want to improve your handling skills. Overall, the shearing was a success, and Ralphy looks as cute as a button with his new do.
~Joy
