is this what the ligaments are?

homebirtha · #21 04/18/06, 09:35 AM

LOL. I'm not sure either. But the hipbone would curve around and down toward the leg, while the ligament would be straight back to the pinbone. KWIM? It's really hard to explain in words. When their ligaments are gone, it feels like your fingers can touch when you reach around the spine just above their tailhead. Does that make sense? Just keep feeling there everyday, and when you feel a change, you'll know where the ligaments WERE. So next time, it will be easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by famer_manda

could i be mistaking it for bone?? I think I am feeling the rim of a hip bone and therefore I keep looking elsewhere.. Is it about 4-5 inches long in a pygmy goat?

famer_manda · #22 04/18/06, 10:44 AM

Okay yes.. then that is a bone LOL. I thought it was.

Now what exactly is the tailhead? is that the part that rises up at the end?? and the pin bones are the two little bones that go from the tail to that long bone that curves around... I swear I felt bones there... and JUST behind those little bones is where I felt the area that seemed mushy but it is wider of an area than a pencil... it sort of feels like a muscle because when the goat changes position it makes it firmer or mushier.. so I know im not touching a bone LOL.

mamahen · #23 04/18/06, 01:21 PM

Hmm, let me have my turn at explaining!

Take your 2 fingers & run them down your girls spine, all the way to, but not down her tail. You should be turned away from her head. At the end of her spine, she will probably be slightly sunken in. Try gently to put your fingers around her spine/tail (you're still on her back, not her tail).

Ok, those aren't the ligaments yet! Now gently (but with firm pressure) fan those to fingers out & feel for a "line" on either side of her tail/spine.

You can feel what it's like with your own wrist. Flex your wrist up & down while feeling where you would check your pulse. Feel those "lines"? That's what you're feeling for on your goat. It does feel like a cord. Even wethers have them. I've checked all my goats, just showing people where to do it at.

Your doe will probably start getting mightly tired of you checking her! It really is a no guess when they finally disappear. Sometimes you "think" they're gone, but you can still feel the slightest bit of one. Really, you have to use firm, but gentle pressure. No need to poke or prod! I hope you find them, once you do, you'll be a pro!

Tricia

homebirtha · #24 04/18/06, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by famer_manda

Now what exactly is the tailhead? is that the part that rises up at the end?? and the pin bones are the two little bones that go from the tail to that long bone that curves around... I swear I felt bones there... and JUST behind those little bones is where I felt the area that seemed mushy but it is wider of an area than a pencil... it sort of feels like a muscle because when the goat changes position it makes it firmer or mushier.. so I know im not touching a bone LOL.

The tailhead is where the tail meets the body. That kind of meatier part where it leaves the spine. The pin bones are the ones that stick out the farthest in the back.
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/prenatalcare.html - The first illustration on this page shows where the pin bones are. The ligaments aren't behind the pin bones though, so I don't think the mushy area you're feeling is in the right spot.