The following is a simple listing of some of the many characteristics
that make llamas a good choice for enriching your backcountry
experience.
Safe to handle
Easy to train
Convenient to transport
Low maintenance
Nice pace for hikers
Llamas having pads, more like a dogs, and not hooves, are
easy on fragile areas
Easy on fences and backcountry meadows
Grazing style tends to limit over-grazing backcountry meadows
Basic llama care
The references listed below in the pack llama literature and
past issues of our newsletter can offer you much more detailed
information and ideas for llama care. Llamas are quite easy to
care for when compared to other large animals. No one should
get llamas thinking that any large animal is "care-free."
All large animals deserve take good care and treatment.
Very simply, llama care basics are:
Good grass hay and/or pasture (Many owners provide grain
in the winter.)
Regular shots, including worming immunization (It varies
according to your veterinarian and location.)
Toenails trimmed (Remember, they don't have "hooves.")
Basic shelter to provide protection from elements (They will
occasionally choose to use it.)
Kept with other large, compatible animals, preferably llamas.
Books listed in our resources and selected web sites will
provide much more information on llama needs and care.
How much do they carry and How far can they walk in a day?
This is dependent upon many things, such as condition, size,
condition, terrain, and condition. Some animals have superior
coordination and structure and seem to take in the terrain and
heavier loads better than others. All llamas are not equal. Have
you noticed that with people, too? Some are "pasture potatoes,"
others have heavy wool, many lack of conditioning, some just
have poor physical or emotional makeup for packing. Such animals
may be fine for a few miles in easier terrain. A few well-conditioned
llamas have packed decent-sized loads for consecutive many-mile
days. You will find everything between the two extremes.
Most people put about 60-80 pounds on their llamas and walk 5-9
miles a day. Some llama packers like to cover greater distances.
It varies with each person and each animal. Some commercial packers
have loaded 100 pounds on their well-conditioned animals.
These are animals that have proven their endurance and have demonstrated
their ability and willingness to work.
Handlers needs to consider the physical and emotional makeup
of the animal, conditioning, weather, and terrain in figuring
how far and how much a llama can pack. A key to success is to
start slowly with the process. In the conditioning exercise the
human and llama learn what to expect from each other and develop
a working relationship.
We recommend that a llama be over three years of age before serious
pack weights are loaded. Before that keep the training weights
much lighter.
What about those llama rumors?
Do llama spit at people?
Well, do dogs bite? Some do bite when they get angry, hurt
or threatened. Some may just have nasty temperaments. Llamas
are pretty much the same. They spit (or threaten to spit) in
their llama social structure to attempt to gain advantage over
other llamas. Some, out of fear, anger, mistreatment, anxiety,
or warped personality, may spit on people, too. It is the misbehaving
human - and llama - that makes the news.
Consider this: spit doesn't leave marks like the pit bull's bite
will. In fact, it washes off quite readily. It does smell. My
advice is just don't get between two angry llamas.
Llamas cost an arm and a leg to buy.
They sure used to be very costly. The price of good llamas
has become much lower in the past few years. Some llamas which
have special training and super conformation may cost more, but
they are worth more. Some llama owners may still be charging
too much. Look around and talk to several sellers. You will soon
learn what the going price is in your area for the type of animal
you want. You will find that there are some very good llamas
available for very reasonable prices. Remember that the old adage
that the buyer usually gets what he pays for. Not an absolute
rule, but a reminder that the cheapest buy may not be as satisfying
as finding and getting a better animal. A cheap car can "get
you there," but a sports or luxary car gets one there in
more comfort, ease, and long-term satisfaction.
They carry exotic diseases that are a danger to livestock
and wildlife.
This is an unfounded rumor. Research had indicates that they
are as safe, if not safer, than other stock - and even man himself.
Some have attempted to use this for their own purposes. Colorado
State University and Oregon State Universitiy have strong veterinary
schools. Both have strongly denied this rumor. Llamas are safe
to have around other wildlife and stock. They pose no unusual
threat.
Every llama is a packer.
Yeah, and every Ford cars is a race car. Some Fords have done
pretty good on drag strips, but most street cars get left in
the dust by true sports cars. Just because a llama has four legs
doesn't mean he/she will carry loads in rugged wilderness conditions
like a well-structured pack llama. No, Martha, not every llama
is a packer.
In fact, if you hear a llama seller try to sell you on the idea
that all llamas make good packers, some just have more wool,
I would move on to someone who is a real packer. Some have tried
that approach to get of woolly llamas that won't make it in the
woolly shows. It takes more than shearing a woolly llama to make
him a good packer. He may do fine, but then again, you are taking
chances. A pack llama is not just one who can't make it as a
show or stud llama.
Those who breed for wool are usually not those who breed for
packer qualities. A good pack llama has reasonable height, straight
legs, straight, but not too long, in the back, guard hair, and
a willing attitude (which can only be measured with use.)
Luckily, most llamas can be adequate packers for short and non-taxing
terrain. For the more strenuous tasks, take you time to fine
an animal from people who know packing. You will be happy for
taking the time to find that special pack animal.
Some general information about stock
use in the backcountry has been provided by Kit Nieman.
