Heartsong LLamas and Fiber of Dawn of Promise Farm

Working for good first experiences for the young llamas

2012-02-09T13:26:00.001-05:00

We had a fun llama work-day on the farm on Saturday. Two of my llama handling/training students, along with my friend Melanie, came out to learn and to help with pen cleaning, use of the blower on the llamas for cleaning their fiber of vegetation, and trimming llama toenails. We trim the toenails about every six weeks. It varies by need of the individual llama.

I have two llama crias on the farm, Petals and Lily, who hadn't yet experienced the blower. They are learning about being haltered and walking on the lead, but they are not real experienced yet at standing tied. I don't like to introduce too many things at once so here was my approach with Petals -- I haltered her dam, Velvet and tied her in the barn aisle. I haltered and tied Betty in the barn aisle next to Velvet (Betty is an adult female in the herd who has helped look after Petals). Then I put a halter and leadrope on Petals, but left her standing loose in between the two older llamas. One of my helpers stood near her to keep her next to her mama.

When I turned the blower on it was pointing away from llamas and humans. Then I pointed the nozzle towards the lower neck and back of one of the older llamas - both of whom LOVE to be groomed. This gave Petals a chance to hear the loud sound of the blower, experience some of the turbulence of the air, and also realize that the senior llamas were not at all afraid. It worked like a charm. Within a few minutes, we were using the blower on Petals and she was figuring out that it felt pretty good.

After the blower, we did a little brushing of this group of llamas and then put Velvet and Petals in the trailer (which I sometimes use as a grooming chute) and I trimmed Velvet's toenails while giving pointers to the group about asking llamas for a foot and about using the trimmers. Petals let me trim her nails while she stood next to Velvet. For the first time in my years of llama owning, I clipped a toenail a little too close, but didn't even realize it until I saw the blood on the floor of the horse trailer. So my helpers got some training in llama first aid too.

Petals enjoying young farm visitors. Velvet is the red-head on the right.

Bless little Petals, who stood so quietly while we applied first aid to her hind foot. She even stood still while Melanie held her cleaned foot off the ground as I went up to the house to get the other first aid kit and bandage scissors. That is unusual for a llama, especially a youngster, to be so cooperative with a foot up in the air. The trick is to always hold their feet quite gently - almost like an egg whose shell you don't want to break. I also don't hold them high off the ground. I let the llama find her balance before I ask for a foot and then I keep the lifted foot fairly low to the ground so she doesn't have to regain balance.

For those of us who are also horse people and used to just sliding a hand down a leg of a seasoned riding horse, and lifting its hoof to clean it, this approach with llamas takes some getting used to.

Petals continued to show her gentle disposition by letting me change her toenail bandage (a feminine pad with Furazone ointment, plus roll gauze and Vetrap - a bootie of sorts) two more times over the next couple days - never once needing to be tied or restrained. I would just kneel down next to her wherever she was eating and ask for her foot. She would rest it on my thigh while I unwrapped the Vetrap and then checked her toenail. It has healed nicely.

My students and I decided that one thing we would do in case we had a future first aid need would be to take inventory, and verify that each first aid kit is fully stocked. I keep a house first aid kit, a trailer first aid kit, a barn first aid kit. Then I keep other items (that I don't want to freeze) in the house. I have since gone through the first aid kits and made sure that each one has the primary supplies such as bandage scissors. I also recommend that you always have plenty of roll gauze, Vetrap (or similar product) and whatever other bandaging supplies you prefer to have on hand.

We experienced a horse first aid need a few years ago with our Connemara pony, Jeremiah, and that taught me the lesson about having items in quantity - not just one or two bandages. If you have an injured horse leg that you need to rebandage daily with many layers of bandage, you'll go through your supplies quickly. It is much less expensive to buy things in quantity from the vet supply catalogs than to have to get something at your local drug store.

I'm happy to report that Petals is healed up and still a happy girl. I even tested her out last evening to see if she would give me her foot again, and sure enough she picked it right up for me. I'm relieved that the little incident didn't upset her.

I'm also excited to report that one of my other llamas, Simply Stunning, who has been afraid about having to give up a foot for toenail trimming, showed me last evening that she has turned a corner. I have owned her since October 2010. The first few times I trimmed her toenails, I could do one or two feet, but would have to come back to do the others at a later time so as not to over-stress her. Last night she haltered very quietly, stepped into the grooming chute quietly, and gave me each foot for toenail trimming. She even seems to be recongizing the phrase I use, "Now find your balance. Good girl." Go Stunning! I had her trimmed in just a few minutes. I was so proud of her, and so happy that I had taken my time and not rushed her about it. I think it has made all the difference in the world!

Hard Rock's Simply Stunning with her daughter, Armful of Lilies (they're saying hello to FFF Mas Chiri)

LLama Rovings Now on Etsy

2012-01-30T17:36:00.000-05:00

We are excited to report that we now have 100% llama rovings for spinning, felting and other crafts available for your purchase through our Etsy store, heartsongllamas. We had sent our llama fleeces to two different mini-mills that had been recommended to us by other llama breeders for processing into rovings, batts, felted batts and yarn. The first group of fleeces have returned to us from Spinderellas (Utah) as beautiful rovings and batts.

Fiber Sampler of Rovings from 3 Llamas

It is intriguing how each individual fleece has its own unique characteristics, but no matter which llama the fiber came from, the rovings are all very, very soft. To give you opportunity to check out several, we put fiber samplers together that include rovings from FFF Mas Chiri, Cresta Butte MWF and LUA Annabell Status. You can also purchase larger quantities of rovings from any of these three llamas.

Llama Fiber Rovings from FFF Mas Chiri

For Betty's fleeces, we had batts made. They are oh, so luxurious, if I may say so myself! I can't wait to try spinning from one of these. I'll include some photos below. You can also learn more about the rovings and the llamas who produced them at our Etsy store. And, of course, you can always make a visit to the farm website: www.dawnofpromisefarm.com.

100% Llama Rovings from LUA Annabell Status

We'll post more at the Etsy store when Mystic Water Fiber Mill has the felted batts and yarn ready to go! We think they are getting close since they called the other day to talk with us about desired yarn weights. They are spinning fiber from the following llamas into yarn: LUA Holiday Status, DDH's Gisele, LUA Bravado's Cierra, SVL Llovely Llana and we combined the following mother/son fleeces (super fine and soft) into one yarn - Hard Rock's Silver Fortune and Hard Rock's Primary Colors. Mystic Water was along our route to Minnesota for a fishing trip so we loaded up the vehicle with llama fleeces along with the fishing poles and tackle box!

Batts of Llama Fiber from I Believe "Betty"

Llamas of Dawn of Promise featured in music video

2012-01-02T15:28:00.000-05:00

One of our instrumental tunes, Llama Dance, off our Wabash Gypsies cd, is now in music video format on YouTube. It features several of our dear llamas! Check out the blog post at the Scott Greeson Music website which will take you to the link to the video.

http://scottgreesonmusic.com/wordpress/archives/189

If you'd like to learn more about our llamas, please also visit the farm website for Heartsong Llamas of Dawn of Promise Farm.

Momma llama, Stunning, steps in to take the blow

2011-12-23T07:26:00.000-05:00

I love to watch and learn from the animals as they interact with me and each other on the farm. I witnessed something very neat a couple nights ago while feeding the llamas. My adult llamas know the routine when I get ready to drop hay down the chutes into the feeders and into the aisle of the barn. The llamas are usually loose in the barn aisle during this routine, so I look down first to make sure no llamas are in the path of the hay that is about to hit the barn aisle floor. If someone is under the chute, I can say "girls, hay coming," and they will back out of the way. The crias don't yet know the routine though.

Tuesday evening, Lily was standing directly under the hay chute. A partial bale of hay hitting on her back would not have felt good, and could have possibly injured her. Her momma, Hard Rock's Simply Stunning, was alert to the situation and was several feet away when she heard me make the hay announcement. When she realized her daughter wasn't moving out of the way, she quickly came over for the rescue. She gave a nudge and didn't get a result, so in her assumption that she needed to make a fast decision, she stretched her long neck and huge frame over her daughter and waited! That sweet momma llama was going to take the hit of the hay on her own back and neck in order to save her daughter from the pain and shock. I just set the hay down in the mow and cried for a bit. I hadn't seen something that beautiful in a little while.

I wasn't going to drop hay on my sweet cria, Lily. But her momma didn't know that. She didn't know that I had seen her daughter standing in the way and that I was going to wait for her to move. The love and care of a momma - llama or otherwise - runs deep.

by Vickie J. Maris
Heartsong Llamas of Dawn of Promise Farm
http://www.dawnofpromisefarm.com/

Llama permits bandaging after costume class experience

2011-12-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Llamas are very trainable. Somewhere along the way of llamas being in the U.S., someone got the idea of dressing them up in costumes for costume class. When judges are judging a costume class of dressed-up llamas, they look for coverage of the llama and cleverness of the costume. The judge likes to see many parts of the llama covered. The idea behind it is you spend time working with your llama desensitizing him or her to wearing the "outfit" and by the time the show rolls around, they are willing to be draped, cloaked or wrapped in the handler's costume creation.

I have never been a fan of a costume class for any species. It just doesn't seem a very dignified thing to do -- to ask such lovely, regal animals to be covered in a costume. And you just don't see other livestock in costumes. But as a trainer and a teacher of young and newbie llama handlers, I do know that it is often a favorite class for the kids. So I go along. But I do not tolerate the creation of a costume the night before a show and not giving the llama a chance to wear and learn the costume ahead of time.

Last summer, my 4-Hers did a great job of starting well enough ahead of the county fair in order to get their llama partners understanding and agreeing to the costumes. We used kind and gentle training techniques that were very effective in getting the llamas to accept their new clothes. We also had to brainstorm with parents and friends on ways to fasten head pieces and other costume elements. In the end, the kids competed with their llamas as a pair of princesses, as clowns and as show girls with fancy head pieces of feathers.

In the end, I was proud of the kids and the llamas. They all worked very hard on the costumes and the training. But I have to admit, I'm still not really a fan of costume class. But I have found a side benefit ... my llama, Betty, got a minor laceration on her hind leg in September and I had to treat it and then keep it clean for a few days while it healed. She stood so very quietly as she was tied in the barn aisle with a simple safety knot on the stall wall for wound treatment each day.

It is not normal for a llama to be willing to let you mess with their legs or their feet. They have a fear of having their ability to flee taken away from them. But there Betty stood for me. Confidant that I would not hurt her. Four feet on the ground while I cleaned her wound, applied a gauze bandage and wrapped her with Vetrap. The Vetrap was the very thing we had used to decorate her legs with in her clown costume, so she was used to all the attention on her legs and feet. OK, so costume class isn't such a bad thing after all!

A Connemara stallion and his llama friends

2011-11-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

On the bad weather days, I often have a barn-aisle full of llamas to lead my Connemara stallion through when I turn him out to his pasture. It's llama here, llama there, llama kushing across the aisle, llama chewing cud. Everyone is relaxed and peaceful and enjoying the protection of the barn. They can remain in their spot in the aisle because they have confidence that my 1000-pound horse will step carefully around them.

He is one special stallion. I have had him for 23 years of his 24 years. His name is Kerrymor Madison. We have ridden many a trail, jumped more fences than I can remember and shown in numerous shows. He has Connemara offspring all around North America. In fact, he was honored in 2002 with the An Tostal Hall of Fame Trophy for outstanding performance stallion by the American Connemara Pony Society. His lifelong accomplishments are sweet, but it is in the brief moments such as the one when he exits the barn through all the llamas, where I am reminded daily of the wonders of Mr. Madison.

When some ponies might be banging on their stall door to remind you that it is time to go out, Madison waits patiently. When I slide the door back, he reaches his nose out to nuzzle whichever llama is the closest. I lead him, with a leadrope looped around his neck, through the llamas. He stopped tonight to sniff on Lily, our 6-month old cria, and then shared hay with her from a feed tub. When he got to Cierra, who was kushing across his path, he reached down to nuzzle her back and ask her to stand. He could step over her, but seems to know that wouldn't be a good thing in case she popped up while he was stepping over. He also seems very aware that his hooves could do damage if he placed them too close to the folded limbs of a kushing llama. So he nuzzles, and he waits.

When I get him through the gate and turn him free, he'll still play or roll or do other pony antics. But how awesome is it that he waits to let his energy loose until he's outside and away from his llama friends. Kerrymor Madison is one, very special horse. I am blessed to have him in my life.

Unlikely friends - Connemara pony mare and two llamas

2011-07-03T22:42:00.001-04:00

Our Connemara pony, Savannah, has been an ideal pasture- and paddock-friend for our two, young male llamas, Blanco and Primary Colors. As the boys grew old enough to be separated from the herd of female llamas, we also needed to separate Savannah from our her pasture mates because she has different dietary needs. It has worked out splendidly to have Savannah live with Blanco and Colors. I typically like to keep our llamas in separate fields or paddocks from the ponies, but Savannah's very easy going disposition gave us this option of housing them together.

I just love to walk in the barn in the morning and see the three of them hanging out together in the barn aisle or paddock. The boys are now comfortable enough with Savannah that they will kush near her or even in the box stall with her while she is staying out of the sun or flies. It is hard to describe just how sweet these moments are, but to me, they are just very, very special. Each one of our animals has a different personality and offers something unique to the herd and to the family. When there is rare opportunity to bring species together and to watch them interact with each other and work together (and even share feed pans politely), it feels like a wonderful privilege. You can see more photos of the llamas at our website: http://www.heartsongllamasonline.com/

Blanco, Primary Colors and Savannah in the early morning fog.

Stunning's cria has arrived! A girl!

2011-05-05T22:58:00.000-04:00

We are pleased to announce that Hard Rock's Simply Stunning had her cria on May 2, 2011. We don't have a name for the gal yet, but she certainly is lovely and has a friendly disposition. She had quite a welcoming committee on the day of her arrival. Her sire is the very handsome, M.R.S. Fully Loaded. We can't wait to get her in the show ring! If you'd like to learn more about her or her parents, please visit our website ... http://www.heartsongllamasonline.com/

Llama Cria Says Hello in Utero

2011-04-01T22:33:00.001-04:00

I had our female llama, Stunning, in a stall two nights ago, so that I could brush her. With each stroke of the brush she was flinching as if to say "don't touch me, don't touch me, don't touch me." That reaction was not a normal one for Stunning who usually enjoys a little brushing.

Just as I was about to give up and leave her alone, I saw her cria kick. It was almost as if the baby was going for a run while in utero. No wonder Stunning didn't want me to brush her! She was dealing with enough activity without my help.

I was so fascinated with watching the feet of the little guy (or gal) pummeling the side of momma. Stunning is due at the end of the month, so not much longer now. I just pray he/she arrives safely and that Stunning is loaded with lots of wonderful milk! The prayer of all llama owners, or livestock breeders in general.

Stunning out in the pasture last fall with her 2010 male cria, Hard Rock's Blanco by Campaign.

Looking out for a shy llama

2011-02-25T12:21:00.003-05:00

It has been so exciting to watch Silver Fortune get braver and braver with each day she calls Dawn of Promise Farm her home. We brought her to our farm in October of last year. She came with her adorable little cria at her side, Hard Rock's Primary Colors, and her two friends, Hard Rock's Simply Stunning and Hard Rock's Blanco. They are a beautiful and sweet group of llamas. It was a wonderful experience to meet the Gerkens, who bred these llamas, and to see their fabulous farm in Ohio.

As it is with children, each llama has a different personality. Silver Fortune is the quiet one. She rarely ever makes a sound. While all our other llamas hum a greeting or they might chortle in disgust if someone encroaches on their food, Silver Fortune just stands in silence. She is a great mom - always attentive to where Primary Colors is on the farm and happy to nurse him indefinitely (we'll be weaning him very soon).

Upon her arrival to the farm, she was scared to be touched if you were passing by her in the barn or brushing her. I would halter her and ask her to stand tied for just a few short minutes of brushing. She would stand like a statue but her eyes told me she was very afraid, so I never pushed beyond a few minutes or so of attention. Each time, I would reach to touch a few more areas of her body that I hadn't yet brushed. Each time, she has gotten a little braver.

Recently, I have been asking her to stand in the small stall while I brush just one side or the other. I haven't haltered her for this. I have just asked her to stand and praised her for standing still each time I took a step forward. The sweet girl, has decided that it is OK. She doesn't bolt away and she no longer looks afraid. I brushed her whole left side the other night - legs, tail and all. Such a good girl.

Last night, I found her standing quietly behind Betty in a stall. Betty was eating from the hay pile, but Silver Fortune was too shy to ask for a space to eat next to Betty, yet she likes Betty. I watched the activity for a moment, and thought "if I don't intervene, that silly llama isn't going to get any dinner at all." She seemed intent on staying in the open stall, but was not forward enough to get her food.

All I had to do was say, "Betty!" Betty, who knows her name and is a super loving gal, looked up and stopped eating for a moment. I know they can't understand every word of a sentence, but I asked her to give Silver Fortune a little space. In the moment when Betty was listening to me, Silver Fortune took advantage of the lull in the action, and she got brave enough to step up and share the hay. I continued with my barn chores, and also watched as the two llama friends ate side-by-side in the stall. Silver Fortune just needed a little intervention.

On many days, I shut her in her own area so I can be sure she is getting her portion of hay, but I also like to see her take these encouraging steps to fit in more with the herd. You go girl! We're proud of you.

www.dawnofpromisefarm.com

Photo: Hard Rock's Silver Fortune (Vickie Maris Photo)

Robins taking turns at the water trough

2011-02-01T11:48:00.009-05:00

The office was closed today due to the snowy weather and upcoming storm scheduled to hit this afternoon. I spent a little extra time outside this morning doing barn cleaning and just hanging out with the llamas and ponies. On one of my trips out to the paddock, I noticed a large group of Robins taking turns at the water trough. I counted approximately 20 of them up in the trees and another 6 on the ground and on the water trough. With the trough nearly full, they were able to perch on the edge and get drinks from the water warmed by the trough heater. That must seem a luxury to a wild bird.

I didn't want to miss the photo opportunity so I headed back to the house for my camera and switched out a workhorse lens to replace it with a longer F 2.8. There were so many shades of grey in the potential shot, I knew the longer lens was going to be required to allow you to pick out the beautiful little birds in these photos. I ended up being surprised at how close they let me stand in order to capture their photographs. For a few of these shots, I was only about 15 feet away!

The Robins' resourcefulness and the way they seemed to take turns at the trough was soothing to my heart and restoring to my soul. I am grateful for a day away from the grind at work and the stress of the office. I hope you enjoy the photos of the Robins at the trough and in the trees waiting their turns. Our male llama, FFF Mas Chiri, also came out to observe the scene and to get his picture taken! Llamas are so curious.

Photos by Vickie J. Maris

Heartsong Llamas of Dawn of Promise Farm

Battle Ground, IN

Exercising the llamas!

2010-12-18T14:00:00.003-05:00

Well, I got caught. I looked up two nights ago from the paddock to see my husband standing by the horse trailer with the biggest grin on his face while he watched me with the llamas. I didn't know we had an audience. Busted!

I had taken Blanco out to the north paddock in the snow for leading lessons. It was about 10 p.m. - isn't that when you train your llamas?

He's about 8 months old and doing great with his lessons. Most of the other llamas followed us outside. When I asked him to trot with me, all the girls came along. Then it occured to me that having them do a few lunge circles in the paddock would be good for them. They have been a little stir crazy with all the super cold weather and snow.

So there we all were, jogging in a big loop around the paddock - me and about 11 llamas. I was coaching them -- "One more circle girls, you can do it! Follow Big Boy Blanco!"

Next thing I knew, Scott was laughing so hard he was about to split his winter jacket. Glad we could provide the entertainment!

Llamas share in the joy of grooming

2010-12-07T20:07:00.009-05:00

We have had so many days already in December with temperatures in the single digits, I knew I couldn't put off brushing any longer. I bundled up tonight and spent a couple hours in the barn doing chores and brushing the ponies and llamas. I wonder if it is as therapeutic for them as it is for me? I always feel the stress wash away when I spend time with the animals.

The ponies did their usual routine. If I start on Jenny, then Jeremiah (see photo below) pushes his head under my arm or brush to take over the attention. Madison loves to get his chest brushed with the curry comb, especially if he's been wearing his turnout blanket at night. Savannah is always up for a good brushing, but she is more subtle about her enjoyment of it.
The llamas were cute as always. I was working on the brush hog, Betty (who would stand for hours upon hours for brushing - no halter, no lead - just free in the aisle). Annabell came over and leaned into me asking for a turn. I started brushing her neck and she slowly stepped forward so that I could reach her back and hips. Then she slowly turned so I could get the other side. Annabell usually cooperates for brushing, but she had never been quite this expressive about it! She must have been itchy. Photo below is of Stunning and Annabell.

The new llamas are getting the hang of it. It helps for them to watch the others and to realize that it isn't scary or stressful. I got a hold of Blanco (Hard Rock's Blanco), and softly brushed the wisps of hay from his gorgeous white fiber. He is a talker, so he hummed his complaints at first and spun around once, but I switched my hold, moved gently with him, and he realized he was still within my frame. A few moments later, he relaxed, started eating some hay and began to enjoy the brush. How sweet to watch him settle in quickly. He's only been here at Dawn of Promise a couple months. His mama, Hard Rock's Simply Stunning, is just that. We love to gaze on her beauty. She kept leaning forward and sniffing the brush. She is very good to stand still if I have her tied to the stall front or a post, but standing free, she is not quite ready to hang out with me for a good brushing. I predict she's not far from that decision. (See Stunning and Blanco in the photo below. Stunning is expecting a cria in May by M.R.S. Fully Loaded.)

Little Toodles, also known as Hard Rock's Primary Colors, loves to get brushed. He loves to eat more. As long as he is munching hay, he'll stand for quite a long time while you straighten up his fiber. He and Blanco both, let you brush clear down to their toes. Very good llama boys!

Heartsong Llamas of Dawn of Promise Farm
Battle Ground, IN

Shearing llamas for the show

2010-07-23T11:40:00.004-04:00

I was updating the show cuts on three of the llamas on Wednesday morning at Dawn of Promise Farm, so they'd look their best for the Indiana State Fair which is coming in a couple of weeks. Most of the time, I just stand the llamas in the barn aisle tied to a stall with a bag of hay in front of them. If one is a little scared, I will tie a llama next to her who doesn't mind shearing. That always helps them build their confidence.

The llama girls helped me out on the shearing task with one of the youngest herd members who wasn't convinced she needed a new cut. They had me laughing out loud. Gisele was not all that certain she wanted to be sheared. As she would wiggle her hind end over to the right, Betty and Cresta, would threaten to spit at her which would send her back my way. They did this three or four times and then Gisele decided that standing still was by far the best option. I finished her show cut rather quickly with Betty and Cresta standing guard over the scene. The whole time, my littlest llama, 3-week-old Kerry Blue, was standing behind me watching everything and pulling on my t-shirt tail. He is the friendliest and most curious little guy. He loved the blower that I used on the llamas before I shear, but he found it best to stand next to one of the big girls so it didn't blow him down the barn aisle!

Hiking the trails with the 4-H kids and llamas

2010-05-27T12:18:00.004-04:00

We're leasing two of the llamas to 4-Hers this year. The kids come out once a week to learn about caring for and training their llama. They'll show them at the Tippecanoe County Fair in July. Here are photos from one of our day hikes in the south field earlier this spring. Lots of fun!

Working with the llamas in the winter - driving training

2010-01-23T21:20:00.009-05:00

Our llamas our so well equipped for the cold weather and the snow. They especially enjoy hanging out around the round hay bales on a sunny day. Here are a few photographs of the llama girls out in the field with our Connemara pony gelding, Dawn's Jeremiah McLane.

You'll also see a head shot of our sweet male llama, FFF Mas Chiri. We were out this afternoon for walk with Mas. I've been starting to train him to pull a cart. We're in the early phases of training where we take walks out away from the farm and away from the other llamas.

For a herd animal, it isn't always easy to walk the opposite direction from the herd so you want to make sure your driving llama is agreeable to going out with you in the cart and away from his friends. Mas is doing great with that. We've been taking him for walks since we got him this summer, and he has always seemed to enjoy the company of humans.

Today, we were working on trot and canter departures at the spoken commands of "taa-rot" and "caaan - tter." (same commands I use with the driving ponies) It is so exciting to see him catch on as quickly as he is! I also worked with him in more of a ground driving position (although I just had him in a halter and leadrope) where I was back at his flank giving him verbal commands. If he wandered a bit off course, I would tap his right or left hip with my free hand and he would move slightly away from the tap (just like a well-trained driving pony moving off the tap of the whip). My only experience with driving is with training ponies to drive but I'm finding that many of the skills translate to llamas well.

It will be such fun to start ground driving with the harness. I predict that Mas is going to take to it with ease. My biggest challenge is getting him to stand still while being harnessed. He LOVES to have his back scratched, so whenever you start fiddling with a harness strap, he wants to turn himself to give you best access to his back for a good scratching! But today on our walk, he gave me three, long whoas with his full attention and his feet firmly planted waiting for the "walk on" signal. That is a great start and could help us with the "whoa" needed for harnessing.

Rescue attempt of a baby llama on Pike's Peak

2009-10-07T21:58:00.004-04:00

This is the sweetest story of a llama cria that was lost on Pike's Peak. Tourists were seeing him when they rode the train up the mountain. A group of llama owners with llamas in hand, headed out on a couple different occasions to rescue the little guy. Check out their story and photos. (Chrystal, thanks for sharing the link to this blog... http://www.capecodpwd.com/CapeCodPWD.com/Llama_Tails.html

Vickie Maris

Dawn of Promise Farm Llamas

Hiking with llamas and kids

2009-09-28T21:29:00.007-04:00

Don't you just love a day that doesn't have much of a schedule! We sure do. On Saturday, we made a stop at a birthday party (llamas in tow), and then on a whim, went hiking with Llana and Betty, with our niece and nephew, Alissa and Gage. What a delightful afternoon! The kids did a great job with the llamas and the llamas seemed to thoroughly enjoy the activity and the change of scenery. The fun comment of the day from Gage, age 5, "Miss Vickie, can I look inside the llama bus before you put the llamas back in it?"

Llamas visit residents of a nursing home

2009-09-24T17:05:00.005-04:00

We took two of our llama girls to visit residents of West Minster in West Lafayette, Ind., in the evening of 9/23/09. LUA Annabell Status and I Believe "Betty" were the llama stars of the event. They were so intuitive with the residents -- knowing exactly who would like a llama kiss and who would like to just look at llamas. Most of the residents enjoyed asking questions about the girls and checking out their exquisite fiber. The llamas' presence really seemed to energize a few of the residents, and we were told that at least one person who was quite a chatter box to Betty, doesn't typically say much. It is such a joy to share the llamas in this way!

An amazing vacation home in Sturgeon Bay

2009-09-08T19:30:00.003-04:00

One of my friends who is quite a knitter found this post in a knitter's blog. Thought you'd enjoy seeing the gorgeous photos posted after this vacation to Lake Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Thanks for sharing the link Toni! Stay tuned for photos of the llamas during their trip to the Indiana State Fair. Betty, Annabell, Holly and Cierra were stars!

http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2009/08/s-lk-michigan-dr.html

Over 50 people attend workshop about handling llamas

2009-07-05T22:21:00.004-04:00

The workshop conducted on June 14, 2009, by Emaly Leak, at Dawn of Promise Farm was a fun and helpful afternoon of learning. Over 50 people attended the event where they learned tips on catching and haltering llamas, presenting a llama to a judge in a showmanship class and working with llamas for obstacle course classes. Six of the llamas from Dawn of Promise Farm served as the trainees. The workshop attracted adults and youth alike. Many of the youth who participated were 4-Hers from Tippecanoe, Parke and Montgomery Counties in Indiana. Others were brand new to llamas and enjoyed getting to lead a llama for the first time! There were smiles all around.

Thanks to Emaly for doing a great job with the instruction and to our many friends who helped us prepare the farm for the event. Kudos for the team effort!

Llamas from Dawn of Promise in Eric Hicks video on CBS website

2009-04-21T22:04:00.010-04:00

The llamas of Dawn of Promise make a cameo appearance in a new video on the CBS website that was created by our friend and fellow songwriter Eric Hicks.

Eric submitted an essay that won him a Flip video camera from CBS News. His challenge was to create a video that represents something about his community during the first 100 days of the new administration in Washington.

Eric built his video around the theme in one of his newer tunes, Eeyore the Troubadour ("world full of hugs and kisses; if a bullet gets fired, I hope it always misses"). His video filming, editing and songwriting genius come together in this short clip. Of course, we think it is extra special since several of our friends are featured in the clips, and the llamas.

When Eric stopped out at Dawn of Promise Farm last Thursday he asked if he could capture a short clip or two of me and Scott. We collectively decided it would be fun if we did the filming in the llama pen. While Scott was giving me a kiss, our sweet llama, SVL Llovely Llana, reached in and planted a kiss on my other cheek! It couldn't have been more perfect - at least in our eyes. We hope you enjoy it!

Check out the link (scroll down to lower left corner of cbsnews page in this link and look for the video, "I Want to Live in a World Where . . ."). Eric mentioned that he will also be posting the video on youtube but it is not out there yet. If you'd like to hear the song in its entirety, you can find it at Eric's site on Reverbnation.

Vickie Maris
Dawn of Promise Farm

Llamas Learning to Wear a Pack

2009-04-14T12:37:00.005-04:00

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.

http://www.bcllama.com/Statepix/ORpix_.html

Enjoying life with llamas!

Vickie Maris

Dawn of Promise Farm

Scientists studying llama antibodies for fighting human disease

2009-04-05T18:24:00.006-04:00

Have your read about the use of llama antibodies for fighting diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's in humans? Here is a brief article that touches on the subject. I was happy to see that Carol Reich posted a comment to help clear up the comment frequently expressed, "llamas spit."

The photo I used to illustrate this blog post is one I took last weekend of MLRF Ridge Runner while visiting with Emaly and Pam Leak at Autumn Hill Llamas and Fiber. I'll post another article with more photos about that trip.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/02/18/last-night-a-llama-saved-my-life-animal-antibodies-could-treat-cancer-diabetes/

Enjoy llamas!

Vickie Maris
Dawn of Promise Farm

Learn about showing llamas - Workshop on June 14

2009-03-18T07:18:00.003-04:00

Dawn of Promise Farm is hosting a free workshop on June 14, 2009, 2 p.m., on showing llamas in showmanship and obstacle courses. Our clinician is Emaly Leak from Autumn Hill Llamas and Fiber. The photo at the left shows Emaly showing her female llama, Overman Bluff & Fluff at the Indiana State Fair.

Emaly has participated in 4-H and llama shows for many years and has numerous accomplishments in llama showing, breeding and fiber. We are thrilled that she said yes to our invitation and hope you'll make plans to join us on Sunday afternoon, June 14th for an informative session on llama showing. The event is open to any 4-Hers or adults who want to improve in their ability to show and train llamas, or who are interested in showing llamas and just want to check it out. The level of the workshop is beginner showman.

Space is limited, so please get your registration in early by sending an email to Vickie Maris, vickiemaris@gmail.com, at Dawn of Promise Farm in Battle Ground, Indiana. Driving directions will be provided with your registration confirmation. We will hold the event rain or shine (we'll move into the barn aisle if it rains) so space is limited.

A new llama hat made by Toni!

2009-03-18T06:55:00.008-04:00

One of the benefits of raising llamas is getting to use their absolutely gorgeous fiber for spinning, felting and other fiber arts. Our friend and coworker, Toni Cook, who knits some amazing creations, decided to try llama fiber after hearing all the excitement about the additions of llamas to Dawn of Promise Farm. (Llana and Annabell like the hat as much as I do!)

So Toni contacted our new friend and fellow llama breeder, Sharon Williamson of Pine Haven Llamas, and ordered some of Sharon's beautiful hand-spun llama yarn. When Scott and I were heading back from a fishing trip in Minnesota last fall, we stopped to meet Sharon and Jerry Williamson and to see their beautiful llama herd and farm. (Thank you Sharon and Jerry!) We picked up Toni's yarn purchase for her and brought it back to Indiana.
The photos in this post show the gorgeous hat that Toni made for me out of the llama fiber. She also made a small, llama fiber, knitted teddy bear (about 10 inches tall) that is adorable. Great knitting Toni!

Vickie Maris

Dawn of Promise Farm

(Sharon Williamson, Pine Haven Llamas, and Vickie meeting a new cria out of PH Tootsie.)

Dawn of Promise Farm llamas enjoying a grooming

2009-03-18T06:33:00.008-04:00

Vickie grooming Annabell.

We are finding that our llama girls really love grooming. Each one has a preference as to which brush or comb is a favorite. And their fiber types vary, so grooming tools need to vary according to fiber type. For example, we have found that Annabell (LUA Annabell Status) and Llana (SVL Llovely Llana) are especially fond of the simple pony mane comb (plastic) with the large, wide teeth. Velvet (Norino's White Velvet), our half Argentine llama, likes a slicker brush (like you might use on your dog) and she also enjoys a regular human hair brush with hard, plastic bristles.

Betty (I Believe) doesn't seem to have a favorite but certainly enjoys being brushed. Her light wool coat is easier to get through than the medium and heavy wool llamas. Two other tools that I like for the llamas are the shedding blade (tooth side) that I have in the pony brush box and the metal curry comb (also in the pony brush box). Mark and Susan Smith showed me this trick of using the round metal curry. It works great. Use it in long, smooth strokes in the direction of the fiber. It works well for knocking off surface debris like bits of hay or leaves.

One of the best benefits of llama grooming is just the time you spend with your llamas. It's one of the best times to get to know the nuances of their sweet and inquisitive personalities. Enjoy!

Vickie Maris
Dawn of Promise Farm

Vickie getting tangles out of Llana's tail. Annabell is helping.

Llama serves as seeing eyes for blind sheep

2009-02-24T10:35:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to a sweet story about a seeing-eye llama, NC, who is helping guide a blind ewe around the pasture. NC was formerly living at the Safe Haven and Alpaca Sanctuary in Corvallis.

Thanks, Kathy, for sharing the link to this story!

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2009/02/18/news/news57.txt

New photos of the Dawn of Promise Farm llamas

2009-02-23T19:20:00.005-05:00

Little Holly is three months old and growing like a weed. She is very smart (don't all moms say that!) and we've enjoyed watching her get brave about leading, picking up her feet and holding still for grooming. Her friend, Cierra, is also making great strides in the same areas. We're definitely hooked on llamas! It didn't take long. Enjoy the new photos of the llamas at Dawn of Promise Farm in the chilly winter months.

Holly, outgrowing her cria coat.

Velvet and Cresta have a discussion about space.

Hiking on a snowy day with the llamas

2009-01-11T20:24:00.007-05:00

Hiking with the llamas on a snowy afternoon is a peaceful experience! We took Llana and Betty out on lead and Annabell was tagging along loose. The llamas so enjoy being with us and seem to like taking in the scenery as we walk along. We stopped to watch several 100 Canadian geese fly and honk overhead and the llama girls even turned their noses skyward to take it all in.

The creek is mostly covered with ice and snow but there were a few places where we could see the water flowing and the smooth stones of the creek bottom showing through. It was about 30 degrees F with the snow falling so it made for a lovely afternoon on the trail. Enjoy the pictures! Vickie

Llamas working in hospitals

2009-01-10T18:15:00.004-05:00

Follow this link to see photos of a llama and her cria working on a hospital floor with an ocupational therapist. The photos are on the Shangrila Llamas website but you can follow another link from there to Mona's Ark website (the OT). Enjoy reading about these wonderful animals helping humans.

http://www.shangrilallamas.com/TherapyLlama.htm

Llamas featured in new farm video on youtube

2009-01-05T17:33:00.005-05:00

The llamas of Dawn of Promise Farm make several appearances throughout the new video available on youtube. The video recaps the farm activities of 2008 so you'll see a variety of images and video clips of the llamas as well as the Connemara ponies (Kerrymor Madison, Serendipity's Savannah, Loughin's Aragorn "Conor," Dawn's Brennainn, Old Carolina's Bitsy, Dawn's Molly, Dawn's Alannah Madison and others). In the llama footage, you'll get to see Betty and Annabell galloping around the pasture and our new female cria, Holly (Heartsong's baby), playing in the yard. You'll also see Llana and Velvet in their new roles as my partners in animal-assisted therapy.

The video is in memory of my dad, James R. Maris, who passed away about a year ago (Jan. 9, 2008) and who would have loved getting to know the llamas. He was definitely an animal lover and always a great helper on the farm.

Photo: Vickie with her dad, Jim Maris, along with Connemara filly foal Dawn's Maire Shannon (Kerrymor Madison X Realta)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-n-RQsVEDw

Neighbor kids try leading llamas in obstacle course

2009-01-01T16:19:00.004-05:00

We've only had the llamas since mid-October but we've already had them out several times and had many farm visitors who have nearly all tried their hand at leading a llama! A few weeks ago, we took Velvet and Llana to visit our friend Cindy who is recovering from surgery. The llamas were such wonderful girls and very loving with Cindy who was all smiles during this special visit.

Last weekend, the neighbor kids stopped over and we set up a few obstacles for them to try. They were all first-time llama leaders and did a terrific job. Three cheers for the llamas who are very new at doing obstacles but very willing and gentle. Llana, Annabell and Betty were the llamas in the activities. Enjoy the photos! Vickie

Heartsong gives birth to female cria on Thanksgiving!

2009-01-01T16:07:00.007-05:00

Heartsong delivered a beautiful female cria, Holly, on Thanksgiving Day, 2008. Holly is the first cria born at Dawn of Promise Farm. She is really lovely -- marked very much like her momma who is a black and white paint llama. Her sire is Star Status Symbol. We have a little video clip of Holly at the bottom of the blog layout, so scroll down and check her out on the move! Happy New Year! Vickie and Scott

Photos from a pack llama trial in North Carolina

2009-01-01T15:58:00.003-05:00

If you are interested in participating in a pack llama trial, there is one coming up in Cedar Mountain, NC on May 1 - 3, 2009, in a state forest area. The link takes you to photos from last year's event.

Do you have suggestions for preparing your llama for a pack llama trial? If so, please reply to this post with your comments. Thanks and have a great 2009! Vickie

http://webpages.charter.net/packtrial/2008SpringPackTrialPictures/album/index.html

New llama movie posted

2008-11-23T04:04:00.003-05:00

Check out our new video featuring the llamas' first month on the farm. They have already been busy in their work greeting farm visitors, hiking and doing PR work!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1i5zkPr-Ak

Hiking with the llamas

2008-11-19T22:34:00.003-05:00

It's a great day when you can take a break from the routine and enjoy a hike on the trails with a friend -- and the llamas! Laurie Hicks stopped out to visit from California and we enjoyed a fall evening on the farm hiking with Velvet and little Annabell. Our neighbors came out to see the llamas and shared some laughs while their granddaughter attempted to imitate the llamas' hums.

Take a day-long pack trip with a llama in New Mexico

2008-10-28T07:36:00.003-04:00

If you're heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico, here is a website where you can learn about packing with llamas through the wilderness. This business, Llama Adventures, takes people out on day trips or overnight trips. I've linked to a page in the site with a helpful description about the history of the llama and its suitability as a pack animal and a hiking companion. Check it out!

http://www.llamaadventures.com/whyllamas.html

Llamas work as a team on the trail

2008-10-21T08:50:00.005-04:00

Here is a link to the Challenge Aventures website. Challenge Adventures facilitates treks with llamas into wilderness areas for groups of young people and adults.

This article is an interesting explanation of how llamas work as a team while packing on the trail with humans. Learn more about their humming and the various roles they play on a team.

http://www.challengeadventures.com/whyllamas.html

We look forward to working with our llamas on hikes at Dawn of Promise Farm and to learning more about packing with llamas!

The llamas are home!

2008-10-20T10:02:00.011-04:00

We're so excited to have our new llamas home on the farm. They are enjoying their new llama area, shed and pasture. We had a welcome home party for them on Saturday and friends came out to greet them and enjoy a fall evening on the farm. Velvet (3 yrs, 1/2 Argentine, white with brown face) and Llana (1 yr, brown, wearing blue halter) even went out with us on the trails and were such good girls with all the commotion around them. They liked taking in all the sites and with a quick turn of their heads could point us immediately in the direction of changes in the scenery such as a hawk taking flight or our neighbor hiking through his field 200 yards away. They just don't miss anything.

Alex and Vickie on the trail with Llana and Velvet.

A rest stop along the trail turned into a llama petting session!

On Sunday we picked up Heartsong (black and white), Betty (6 months, white with brown) and Annabell (6 months, brown) Their photos are below. Enjoy the pics! Vickie

Annabell and I Believe "Betty"

LUA Moonlighter's Heartsong (due to have a cria in December 2008 by Star Status Symbol)

Llama greets visitor on NY farm

2008-10-17T09:24:00.003-04:00

Check out this blog post and accompanying photos of a NY artist's visit to a farm with a resident llama. Sweet story and lovely fall photos . . .

http://thistlefarmarts.blogspot.com/2008/10/this-is-our-friend-llama.html

Llamas at Machu Picchu

2008-10-11T22:09:00.003-04:00

Here's a link to a blog post that recounts a traveler's trip to Macchu Piccu including photos of llamas in Peru.

Llamas in the classroom

2008-09-22T17:07:00.004-04:00

As my interest in animal-assisted therapy continues to grow, I keep looking for resources on the subject. Here is an interesting article on benefits of using animals in the classroom. Llamas are one of the species that have been used in classroom settings.
http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-3/animal.htm

Article - To Touch a Llama

2008-09-10T16:21:00.003-04:00

Here is a wonderful article about the use of llamas in animal-assisted therapy. The link will take you over to the Delta Society website where you can read the article by Darlene Meyer and how she works with her two llamas.

Yellow Wood Llamas and the Llama Cam

2008-08-31T00:55:00.004-04:00

A few weeks back, we visited our first llama farm -- Yellow Wood Llamas in Martinsville, Indiana. Laura and Fred gave us a grand tour and we so delighted in meeting their family of llamas and seeing their setup. We are learning from the various fencing setups and getting so many helpful ideas and tips in conversations we have been having with veteran breeders. The quiet dispositions and inquisitive nature of the Yellow Wood llamas left a lasting impression on us. We are so looking forward to having a few llamas here on Dawn of Promise Farm.

One of the things we love about the Yellow Wood site is the Llama Cam! Check it out. You can see the girls eating or lounging around enjoying llama fun-filled days.

A visit to Lash's Unique Animals

2008-08-31T00:45:00.003-04:00

We made a trip last weekend up to Manitou Beach, MI (near a lovely lake) where we met Lloyd and Tami Lash and their many wonderful animals. They raise llamas, miniature donkeys and some very cute puppies. The conversation, animal introductions and opportunity to try my hand at leading Wyoming through the obstacle course were highlights of our day. Tami also showed us a myriad of products that she makes using llama hair. They sell the fleeces to customers as well. For more photos of the animals and products, you would enjoy a visit to their website.

Packing with llamas in Oregon

2008-08-21T09:23:00.001-04:00

I get more and more intrigued as I daily learn more ways to incorporate llamas into your life. Even without owning any yet, I'm convinced already that they make terrific companions. Well how 'bout pack-carrying partners for the hikers among you. Llamas are really popular for this. Their cloven feet don't tear up the trails and they certainly are sure-footed on rough terrain. Here is a link to Halligan Ranch in Oregon that does packing with their llamas.

http://www.halliganranch.com/Drop%20Camps.htm

Llamas at the Indiana State Fair

2008-08-16T23:54:00.000-04:00

I attended the Indiana State Fair today to see the llama and alpaca show. I've posted several new photos that I took during the adventure! They are running in the slide show or you can click the link over to flickr and check out the whole set.

Enjoy!

Vickie

http://www.flickr.com/photos/purduepics/sets/72157606551114353/

Welcome to our farm blog on llamas!

2008-08-13T09:29:00.001-04:00

Dawn of Promise Farm is relatively new to raising llamas and is relying on the many years of experience in raising ponies to get off to a good start. We are starting out by visiting several llama breeders in the summer and fall of 2008 to get an idea of the type of llama and type of llama coat we prefer. We are also attending a few shows to soak in as much information as we can.

So far, we have met several wonderful people and many, many beautiful llamas. We can't wait to bring the first llamas home to Dawn of Promise!

Just as with the ponies, we look for a history of good personalities in a particular line along with great conformation, fiber quality of the llama’s wool, and suitability for a variety of uses.

We hope to be going to a few shows in 2009 with our new llamas. See you there!

Vickie and Scott

PS - The photo captures some cria games at Mark Smith Farms near Linden, Indiana. We had a wonderful visit with Mark and Susan in August while meeting their llamas.