I have a Hammock, and I'm not afraid to use it!

One of the members on the great PigINFOandCHAT Yahoo group (a great bunch of people - see link at right to join) shared photos of her visit to a sanctuary that used a mesh hammock to restrain pigs for hoof trimming etc. It was a revelation to me! Just what I had been looking for: a way to safely restrain Daisy without stressing her too much, risking my own safety & sanity, and still be able to do what needs to be done (instead of waiting for Her Majesty to set the timetable!). I'm all for training co-operation, but sometimes there are things that need to be done that the animal will simply NOT LIKE, regardless of how nice we are about it all - and for those things, safe & effective restraint is the Way To Go!

How it works: Pig walks over hammock on the ground, people lift hammock so pig is supported and feet come thru the holes. Voila! Pig is safe, helpless (other than screaming!), and we have access to all the Pertinent Bits! I love it!

So, yesterday I went to the store and bought a cotton mesh hammock! Now I have to recruit some muscle to help lift the Big Pig so I can trim her feet properly (finally get that RF claw cut back!), clean around her eyes, and administer her vaccinations.

Hopefully this weekend! Will try to get pictures!