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Original poster

Hypothetical question about giraffes

231 replies

Curlygirl06 · 05/04/2025 21:37

Dh and I were having a debate about giraffes (wild evening here!).
If you had a pet giraffe and you took it out for a walk, would you put a collar and lead up the top by its head, or down the bottom of its neck by its body?
One of us thinks it should go up by its head, so that you could gently pull its head down if you were going under a low bridge, for example, or pull it to the side if you were going round a corner so it could see where its going.
One of us thinks it should be by the body as otherwise you'd have a bloody long lead (duh, it's a giraffe so obvs!) and you could guide it just as well from the bottom as up the top.
YANBU of course it should be at the top by the head.
YABU of course it should be at the bottom of its neck near the body.

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 18:33

BoredZelda · 06/04/2025 18:26

It would go at the bottom of their neck, just as our necklaces do.

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Good point, never thought of it like that.

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BoredZelda · 06/04/2025 18:26

I’d have a harness and teach it the words for “head down”

BoredZelda · 06/04/2025 18:26

deeplybaffled · 05/04/2025 21:46

Hmmm. You’ve now got me wondering about where they would wear necklaces, scarves or ties. Maybe it’s personal preference and you should check with the giraffe in question ?

#giraffesarenotgeneric

It would go at the bottom of their neck, just as our necklaces do.

Hoppinggreen · 06/04/2025 18:25

Headcollar and lean rein like a horse I would say

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 18:25

GymBergerac · 06/04/2025 18:20

Definitely a horse style headcollar rather than a dog style collar.
And I'm so glad that other couples have these bizarre discussions..... 😂
I once woke DH at 2am to ask the question about how cats would wear pants.... 🤣

We should start a thread to discuss this after we've got the votes for this one. I'll have a look later and reveal if I'm the neck- by- the- head end one, or the neck- by- the- body one. I'll report back.

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 18:22

DonnaSueWeloveyou · 06/04/2025 18:14

They do walk like camels, so people would get giraffe-sick with all the swaying about I should think.

Yes, but imagine the look on people's faces when you rock up in the car park on a giraffe!
I had a friend who owned a tank, he wanted to take it shopping but his wife wouldn't let him, spoilsport. (Well, I say tank, it was actually an armoured personnel carrier, but to the uninitiated it looks like a tank)

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GymBergerac · 06/04/2025 18:20

Definitely a horse style headcollar rather than a dog style collar.
And I'm so glad that other couples have these bizarre discussions..... 😂
I once woke DH at 2am to ask the question about how cats would wear pants.... 🤣

DonnaSueWeloveyou · 06/04/2025 18:14

They do walk like camels, so people would get giraffe-sick with all the swaying about I should think.

MagpiePi · 06/04/2025 18:10

…just thinking about giraffe saddles as they have quite sloped backs. You’d have to have a strap going round its neck. Or more of a padded collar like dray horses have.

Imagine how soothing sitting on a cantering giraffe would be! Or do they move their legs like camels which is supposed to be really uncomfortable.

A visit to YouTube is needed!

Gundogday · 06/04/2025 17:01

The photo

Hypothetical question about giraffes
RockingAmadeus · 06/04/2025 16:25

I think a harness would be the most practical.

Alan’s giraffe in the Hangover movie did not fair too well when they encountered a bridge. Although they were travelling in a convertible at the time. Possibly it could be easier to negotiate the bridge if you were on foot/hoof.

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 15:44

Dogaredabomb · 06/04/2025 14:54

YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN?!?! I imagined you were 30 and pre kids (due to being bonkers).

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Aaaww fanks! I'm told I look younger than I am, we certainly act it. My grandson told me once that I'm the fun grandma, I'll take that!

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Dogaredabomb · 06/04/2025 14:54

Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 12:30

Already thought of this ages ago! The conversations regarding giraffes in this house go from the sublime to the ridiculous. We say to the grandchildren we're sensible and mature and sensible, even the 5 year old snorted at that, can't think why?

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YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN?!?! I imagined you were 30 and pre kids (due to being bonkers).

ScottBakula · 06/04/2025 14:37

OhDoShutUpGeorge · 06/04/2025 00:06

Neither. Roller boots on his hoofs and walkman on his ears and give him a big push.

Head between knees for going under bridges.

They need their freedom.

This has conjured up the most amazing image !
I think he needs mirrored shades and a leather bomber jacket but I'm not sure if it should be black or match his fur pattern

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 14:22

Can't manage to share it, but I've just found a photo of Lord Rothschild with his trap and zebras, knew I'd seen it somewhere!

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 13:36

Regarding putting a saddle on them, quite recently I Googled whether you could ride a zebra. Apparently, as they're not domesticated, as are giraffes, it would be difficult. As they aren't used to people and bridles, saddles etc it would be unlikely to work in either case, as it would set off their fight out flight reflex, and no one wants to fight with a giraffe or a zebra!
However, I vaguely recall they said that some chap, in the 1800's or early 1900's I think, managed to train zebras to pull a trap, now that would be awesome! Also, due to the short backs and different physical attributes of zebras, they aren't the right shape or strength to be able to be ridden. Damn.

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 13:29

Fatloss · 06/04/2025 13:21

I’ve seen some converted light houses or water cooling towers on Grand Designs?

<invested>

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Now that's the sort of thinking we need!

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 13:28

Well I've Googled small giraffes, and the Angolan giraffes are quite small, about 8 and 1/2 feet so that could be interesting. Hmm.

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FalseSpring · 06/04/2025 13:24

I just Googled giraffe handling (I really need to find more productive hobbies for Sundays) - it appears the vet teams use a combination of both a halter on the head, usually with a blindfold, and a body harness. I guess the head and body are a long way apart so it would be difficult to move with just one or the other.

Fatloss · 06/04/2025 13:21

Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 12:36

I can knit the hat and scarf, no probs. I'm definitely not camping! Caravan would be OK, head out through the skylight, job done.

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I’ve seen some converted light houses or water cooling towers on Grand Designs?

<invested>

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 13:13

2025willbemytime · 06/04/2025 13:10

I asked my then husband for a giraffe and elephant. He said no, inexplicably so I said what about Guinea pigs? Worked a treat...

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Plan!

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2025willbemytime · 06/04/2025 13:10

Hoardasauruskaren · 05/04/2025 22:53

Wish a pet giraffe was possible! Or maybe an elephant 🤔 Both, ideally!

I asked my then husband for a giraffe and elephant. He said no, inexplicably so I said what about Guinea pigs? Worked a treat...

Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 12:52

TroysMammy · 06/04/2025 12:29

I hope you don't live in London because can you imagine how many tourists will follow you as you will be walking around with your arm raised whilst holding your giraffe's lead?

I'd charge them £5 a go!

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 12:38

Fatloss · 06/04/2025 12:11

The ducking would need quite far from the bridge

Agreed.

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Original poster
Curlygirl06 · 06/04/2025 12:36

ArabellaScott · 06/04/2025 12:26

Accommodation would probably be camping and you could just have the tent unzipped so the neck can stick out. Extra long scarves in case it gets cold. Maybe a hat - a large tea cosy would work with the holes for the knobbly bits to go through where the spout and handle usually do.

I can knit the hat and scarf, no probs. I'm definitely not camping! Caravan would be OK, head out through the skylight, job done.

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