A couple of our llamas at Dawn of Promise Farm are learning to wear a pack. I started with a simple training pack. I Believe (photo at left), whom we call "Betty," took to her new job right away. She was really proud to wear the pack and acted like she was "much better" than her packless friends. When I took her to the back door one evening to show her new pack equipment to Scott, she stood for several minutes checking out her reflection in the storm door with great admiration!
As I often compare my work with the horses and ponies to my work with the llamas, I have found that one benefit to training llamas is that you aren't as limited by the conditions of the footing outside. Last night after work, I was able to work with four different llamas in muddy and rainy conditions without any consequences other than a little human discomfort in the cold rain. Llana, Betty, Cierra and Annabell all took turns working on the obstacle course in the yard and taking a short trail walk in the ravine.
I found out that each of them will walk on down the bank behind me and into the running water as I assure them. They are also all showing improvement in their ability to leave the barn and llama pen area where all their friends are and head out with me alone (no other llamas in sight). This isn't easy for a llama, especially for a younger llama, so I appreciate their willingness and their trust in me. I started out by always taking them out in pairs, but as they have grown in age and trust, they seem more ready to go out solo for short amounts of time.
Here's a link to a website with some wonderful images of packing with llamas in various locations around North America. The link takes you directly to sites in Oregon.
Enjoying life with llamas!
Vickie Maris
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