PACKING WITH LLAMAS-A GENERAL OVERVIEWTHE PRIMARY use of the llama, outside of breeding for profit and consumption, is that of a pack animal. In South America, llamas have been used for almost 5000 years to transport goods through the Andes Mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. For centuries, the Indians depended on the llama to sustain their way of life transporting their goods and produce to markets in the lowlands and providing meat, fiber for clothing and equipment, leather, and manure. In North America, llamas can be found from coast to coast carrying loads for extended wilderness adventures as well as family day hikes. The traditional use of the llama is being carried on by individuals, families, commercial guides and outfitters as more and more people are discovering that the llama is an enjoyable working companion animal that will carry food and equipment for day hikes and camping trips.
Much of the popularity of the llama as a hiking companion comes from its calm disposition, high degree of intelligence, natural agility, and low environmental impact. Children feel quite safe with llamas since they are very sensitive, easy going companions for hikers of all ages. Young families are finding that pack llamas allow them to get into the backcountry with ease since the llamas can carry the equipment and young children as well. Photographers and fisherman are able to access difficult areas with tripods and float tubes in pursuit of the elusive fish or special photograph. Many commercial llama packers are providing hikers with extended back country tours. Wilderness guides and National Forest personnel are happy with the low environmental impact of the llama. Studies have shown that llamas have less than one-quarter the impact of horses or mules. With their soft, padded feet and low food consumption, llamas are the ideal animal for the fragile environments of our heavily used parks and forests.
While both intact males and geldings are used for packing, many people feel the well-conditioned intact male is best suited for this activity. Geldings are generally easier to manage in herd situations, however, and intact males usually keep themselves in better physical condition since they tend to be more active. On the trail, males and geldings work well together and present no specific problems. Healthy, well-trained female llamas may also be used as packers as long as they are not in the last quarter of their gestation or have a baby by their side.
Llamas generally mature between 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 years of age and should not begin carrying full loads of 75-100-lbs until that time. While llamas are usually trained to halter and lead at three to six months of age, actual pack training should not take place until between two and three years old when light loads of 25-35 lbs may be carried. The young llama can be taught all the basics such as putting a saddle on, going through obstacles, foot trimming, loading in a trailer or truck, etc. before actually carrying any weight. One should be very cautious with their training of young llamas since studies have shown that full physical development is not complete until after four years of age. Undue stress, both physically and mentally, when an animal is between one and four years old, can cause physical problems in later years.
Physical conditioning is the primary factor which determines how much a llama will carry and how far it will go in a day. A well-conditioned packer carrying 75-100 lbs should be able to cover 10-15 miles a day with ease. Difficult terrain and heavy loads will shorten this distance. The llama that only goes out on the trail several times a year should not be expected to carry over 75-lbs. or cover more than 6-8 miles a day. Llamas will not hurt themselves for you and may lay down in the trail if their load is too heavy or the saddle is hurting them.
Prior to each packing season, it is important to condition yourself and your llamas by taking short walks with light packs, gradually working up to longer distances and heavier weights. This also ensures that the llamas padded foot will be toughened up before going on an extended trip in rough country. Their feet are soft and leathery, like a dogs pads, and do less damage to the trail than your hiking boots. It is important to condition your llama through proper exercise and training to prevent any injuries or problems on the trail.
Most llamas readily accept a pack, however, not every llama will make a good pack animal. When selecting llamas for packing, the most important things to look for are correct structure and conformation. Some people will tell you their "pet" quality llamas will make good packers when, in truth, these animals have structural problems that render them unfit for hard, physical work like packing. Disposition is equally important. Many llamas are not mentally suited for packing while others are not physically suited for such activity. Just as in human athletes, the right combination of physical structure, conditioning, and mental attitude are necessary to produce a sound, healthy individual capable of doing the job required. Take great care in these areas when selecting a llama you want for a hard-working trail companion. There are many breeders today that are emphasizing the above traits in their breeding programs and offer guarantees that will insure you get an animal well suited for the job. In the long run, it will pay to select your llama with these qualities in mind.
PACKING EQUIPMENT FOR LLAMASTHERE IS a broad variety of llama packing equipment available today from a number of different designers and suppliers. The biggest investment will be in a saddle and panniers (pack bags) and there are two basic types that are used by most enthusiasts.
The first is a pack frame made of wood, aluminum, or fiberglass and looks similar to the type of pack saddles used for horses or mules. You can purchase the saddle alone or with a set (2) of panniers made of either canvas or cordura nylon. Usually panniers made by different companies are usable on any pack frame. Most saddles come with a britching strap (for the rear) and a breast collar to help prevent the saddle from moving forward or backwards on the llama. They also use a saddle pad to protect the llamas back. The pack frame can be used to carry the panniers as well as odd shaped, bulky equipment such as coolers, hay bales, fence posts, shovels, etc. that can be tied on with traditional rope hitches. They are somewhat more versatile than the other type of saddle, the soft pad.
The soft pad saddle is made of either heavy leather or cordura nylon and has specially designed panniers that attach to the pad with different types of clips. Panniers in these types of saddles are generally not interchangeable as with the pack frame. This saddle also uses a saddle pad or an internal padding system which keeps the saddle off the llamas spine. A variation of this saddle which has the panniers permanently attached to the pad, is not recommended. While the choice of saddle type is really personal preference, it is important to make sure that whatever you purchase fits the llama properly and allows sufficient clearance over the spine. One very good comparative analysis of different pack saddles has been published and is worth reviewing before making the investment.
While the saddle and panniers will be your largest investment, you must not overlook the importance of a durable, well fitting halter. This does not mean a halter with a snug noseband. For use on the trail, the halter must fit so the llama can graze and chew his cud comfortably. A standard rule of thumb is that the handler should be able to slide two fingers (approx. 1.5") between the bottom of the llamas jaw and the halter. This type of halter is required for performance classes in ALSA sanctioned shows. Of course, a good lead rope, 8 to 10 feet long, either cotton or nylon is also necessary.
A picket stake is necessary to secure your llama in camp at night. Most popular is the screw-in stake that is commonly used for dogs. With this stake, you will need a 15 to 20 foot nylon line with strong clips on both ends to attach the llama to the stake. Other basic items include hand scales for weighing and balancing loads, a small "slicker" brush or curry comb to remove debris from the llama before saddling, a collapsible water bucket, and a small veterinary first aid kit for treating minor llama injuries. Some optional items might include an extra halter, a durable "medication" boot that can be secured over the llamas foot in case of injury, and a ration of supplement feed like pellets or corn.
Since the llama, is carrying your load, you can take all your normal camping equipment as well as a few comfort items like small chairs, a two-burner stove, and perhaps a bottle of wine for dinner one night. The pack llama allows you to travel with ease and you may never want to carry a heavy backpack again. Remember, the llama is earth friendly as well as being a pleasant, hard working trail companion.
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