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Rosebud Llamas Utah |
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Llama
Packing Clinics and Training Trips |
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What
Humans Need to Know to Pack with Llamas. Using an animal to pack in your gear requires knowing what
the animal is supposed to do, but how well they do their job can have a
lot to do with how well you do your part. The llama depends on you to
make sure that the saddle fits correctly and that the load is balanced
and secure. He or she is carrying the load to relieve yours, so you
need to call rest stops on their behalf and set a reasonable pace.
Toenails need to be appropriately trimmed and wool sheared; even with
short wool, you need to recognize the early signs of heat stress. How
much can they carry? Is a |
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llama
that doesn't drink from a stream just not thirsty? What supplies do you
put in a llama First Aid Kit and how do you use them? How do you cross
water safely with a llama in tow? How do you "leave no trace" packing
with llamas? How do you select a llama for packing? How do you train
them--to pack, but also to stand on command to be haltered, to accept
health care and maintenance calmly and without compulsion or restraint.
We'll answer these and many other questions so
you can be relatively assured of a good trip with a great, willing
trail buddy who likes going out as much as you do. |
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We
offer one-day llama packing
clinics with lots of hands-on
experience to share our knowledge of packing with llamas. We'll
test-drive what you learn on a certified Pack Llama Trial Association
course on and around our ranch. Or, if you have any other ideas
for the focus of a clinic related to llamas, we are happy to tailor one
for you. For example, in 2006, we gave a clinic on Basic Training for
Care and Maintenance and added in demonstration of techniques to
help "the touch-me-not llama" become comfortable with their humans. When? By appointment spring
through fall. Price (to the public): $70 per person (no meals
included). |
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Another
more comprehensive option is a Training
Pack Trip. We simply focus our
regular llama pack trip specifically on teaching you--and your trained,
but "green" llamas, if you wish--how to pack. We count on devoting a
good part of daytime and campfire talk to llamas. By the end of a
three-day trip, we guarantee that you (and your llamas) will be well on
your way to possessing the skills to take and enjoy a pack trip on your
own. We've trained a fair number of llamas to pack, but the best llama
trainers are other llamas. We have some excellent teachers in our
string. (The white llama on the left learned from our veteran "Tahoe"
how to string and cross water |
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calmly
in the San Rafael Swell--what a great classroom!) |
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