From time to time certain individual camelids were noticed to have weak tendons because they had fallen pastern joints, sway back and overall poor conformation. While older animals were excused because of their age, in younger animals this was considered a genetic fault. Universities advised not to breed these animals. Many males were gelded and females removed from the breeding herd because of “fallen pasterns”.

In traveling in the areas of Western U.S. and some countries in South America, I didn't see a direct genetic link because the parents of the animal being judged here in the U.S. were normal. This problem was not seen in self feeding South American camelids. Also, certain areas seem to have more than their share of problems, all from different parents and different breeding lines.

In baby chicks, there is a nutrition disease known to poultry raisers as “slip hock”. The nutritional deficiency of the element manganese causes the tendons to be so loose that the chick can not stand up. Excess calcium and phosphorus tends to make the problem worse. The solution to the problem is to add more manganese to the diet, not get a new rooster.

In humans boron deficiency shows up as weak ligaments, tendons and bones that are weak. Humans need only 3mg of boron daily to prevent this.

Silica that is very important for strong tendons comes in two forms. In-organic Silica is basically sand and is not absorbed from the digestive track of mammals. The other form is Organic Silica where the silica molecule is combined with carbon molecules in certain plants (herbs). The organic silica is absorbed in the intestines and helps tendons be stronger.

Wanting to “solve another problem”, several years ago I started making up a mineral/herb mixture aimed at weak tendons. Using manganese and boron in an organic form so they could be absorbed and adding in herbs known to have high levels of organic silica plus a few other herbs that help new blood circulation gave us a blend that appears to be working. Different flavors (rose, honey, peppermint) were tried but the camelids seem to like the alfalfa flavor the best.

Overweight and age leads to poor pastern joints but in some areas of the U.S., this blend of minerals and herbs are keeping them normal and avoiding the vet scalpel or being banished from the breeding herd. There are still animals with poor conformation just like their parents so don't count on an animal that places last in a show ring to jump up to first place. I just want them to be mobile, get around by themselves and be as normal as they can.