After you have the coat tangle free it is time to part the hair down the center of the back.  This part should be changed slightly at least once a week to avoid breaking hairs along the part line.

centerpart1.jpg (32085 bytes)

I wrap my senior animals in six sections - three on each side.  Many people use a rump wrap as well - again this is personal preference.
 
Use the comb to section of the part you will be wrapping.  I start with a rear wrap.  Again, check for tangles and then gently smooth the hair into a nice smooth section with your comb

brushingsection.jpg (27947 bytes)    sectiongroom.jpg (31873 bytes)

Now it is time to actually start wrapping.  The wrapping material should be cut to approximately 3 times the width of the hair section - this generally works out to a standard paper towel cut in half - and should be about two inches longer than the section of hair you are wrapping.

positionsection.jpg (24185 bytes)

 
Position the wrapper underneath the section of hair and smooth the hair out flat in the wrapper.  The next part is kind of like making a burrito.  Fold one side of the wrap over the hair and smooth down.  Now fold the other side over this.  You will now have the section of hair folded neatly into a flat tube of wrapper.

wrapfold1.jpg (20414 bytes)   wrapfold2.jpg (21513 bytes)

 
Probably the trickiest part is getting the position just right along the body.  You don't want it up so high that the wrap will stick up in the air and you don't want it so low that is drags the ground.  You will have to experiment with the placement until you get the feel of where it should be.
Now, take the "tube" of hair and fold it in half going toward the body.  The ends of the wrap should be pretty even.  Take the wrap and now fold it in half again - this time going up.

wrapfoldhalf~under.jpg (22641 bytes)   wrapfoldhalf~over.jpg (17934 bytes)

 
Secure the wrap with two sets of rubberbands as shown.  Be sure there are no hairs being pulled and that the wrap is not too tight.  If the cavy tries to rip it out right away it is probably too tight.

rubberbandwrap.jpg (22394 bytes)

 
When I start my young animals in wraps I am always sure to give them a tasty treat to chew on when I put them back in their cage.  This distracts them from the wraps for a while and gives them time to get used to them.  Youngsters are started with just the two rump wraps until they are used to them.  I begin wrapping when the hair starts to get tangled or dirty - generally around age four months.

 

Here is Minute Man all wrapped up for another day.  It generally takes me about 10 minutes to fully groom a senior animal in six wraps.  Intermediates take around five minutes or so.

finishedwrap.jpg (52777 bytes)

 
The grooming time is when you are training your animals for the shows.  Remember, senior long hairs MUST be presented on a regulation showboard for judging and they need to sit still.  It is very difficult for the judge to get a good picture of your animal if it is jumping all over on the board.  Practice is essential!
 
I wish you the best of luck in the exciting world of showing long hair cavies.  They are a beauty to behold and in my opinion at least well worth the time and effort it takes to bring one to the judging table in all its glory.  I have never been to a show where I didn't have at least three or four people come over and ask questions about these gorgeous animals.  It is a great opportunity to share our wonderful cavies with the public.
 
Once again - Thanks Tracy for sharing this awesome cavy with me!  He is a true joy and a perfect gentleman.

Return to Page 1