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Why train a llama to pack?  

by Margaret Van Camp

(first published in Llama Living, Fall 2004)

I recently read an article by a well-known llama enthusiast and trainer which attempted to explain why some people who own llamas get discouraged with them. The author’s point was that these “huggable investments” frequently don’t live up to their press due to a widespread lack of training among llamas sold, and as a result, those who originally purchased llamas with the object of breeding and selling them are becoming disillusioned. I read the article with a sense of sympathy and frustration. Though clearly not as bad as it once was, proper training among llamas is still at unacceptable levels. What must the uninitiated think as they watch a llama show and observe three adult humans wrestling with a two-year old male for the mere purpose of checking his topline? Meanwhile, self-proclaimed experts will sit in the stands and volunteer that “yeah, that’s just the way llamas are sometimes…” The beauty factor aside, this type of behavior, by both llamas and those breeders who accept this behavior as normal, does nothing to improve the image of llamas among the public.

I don’t get asked the question of why train a llama to pack very often. Upon observing a well-trained pack llama at work, the benefits are obvious. However, I still think it is a legitimate question, since I’m sure many llama owners ask it of themselves in a more rhetorical manner, i.e. “Why should I train Fluffy to pack? I’ll never take him/her on the trail for real, so what is the point?” The point is that we have, are, and will be doing a disservice to the animals and breeders in general by selling untrained animals to unsuspecting first-timers. When these animals start acting up, their new owners don’t seem to be getting a whole lot of help from the seller, because more often than not the people who get the urgent phone calls are not the breeders who sold the llama in question but instead the responsible breeders who have a reputation for well-trained llamas. So the original seller gets off scot-free, and the training breeder, who may have a number of well-trained llamas for sale, is compelled by kindness into providing the service after the sale for a llama he or she never sold. Frustrating?  You bet.

Consider for a moment the skills possessed by a fully trained pack llama. He (or she, naturally) is of course halter broken, and the better-trained ones can be haltered in the field. He can be handled in all areas, including head, feet, belly and legs. He handles grooming patiently. Trailering and being staked out are simple tasks, and negotiating all manner of obstacles presents no problem. Psychologically, he has developed trust in his handler and has learned to get along well with other llamas. Not to mention the fact that he is schlepping a bunch of gear for his handler much of the time, typically without complaint. Now, compare that with what might be considered an ideal level of training for the average llama. Aren’t they pretty close? Clearly, useful training involves much more than walking on a lead. And this is the point that diverges with the general practices of the current “industry.”

Some may argue that well-trained performance animal accomplishes the same level of training. After all, going over obstacles and through hoops in the showring as part of a P.R. or pack class accomplishes much the same thing, does it not?  Well, not really. In the showring, the obstacles and environment are controlled. Both the llama and handler have likely seen similar obstacles before, and the handler knows what is coming up in terms of challenges. However, on the trail, things happen that cannot be arranged or anticipated. The real world intervenes, sending loose dogs, mountain bikes, loud cars, other hikers, running children and a whole host of real challenges down the path, things that are unanticipated both by the llama and the handler. Real life does not include a “walk through,” and the trust between the llama and handler becomes central to the safety of both. There is no substitute for experience in creating this trust. Granted, the experience can be in any variety of settings, be it a nursing home, parade, or school as well as on the trail, but my personal preference is for trail work since it involves strength and endurance, testing conditioning as well as the mental preparedness of the llama. While the showring can be a great place to start, experience outside the ring is what provides the final level of polish to a fully trained llama. I view the training level of llamas in three distinct divisions. At the most basic level, and to expected of any llama changing hands,  would be calm haltering, walking on the lead, being staked out or tied, loading and unloading from a trailer, having feet handled, and complete groomability. Above that would be advanced training, which would include field haltering, saddling, loading and negotiating basic obstacles such as water crossings, jumps, bridges and deadfalls. Basic carting skills, such as being harnessed, walking and turning with a cart would also be included at this level. A highly trained llama would possess all of the previously mentioned skills, but also be able to negotiate more complex obstacles and maneuvers under saddle or harness. Additionally, such a llama would have the experience and conditioning equal to the task, and have developed trust in the handler that would come into play when the unexpected is encountered.

Just as the value of a horse is in large part determined by its level of training, it makes sense that llamas should be similarly valued. Yet, incredibly, the level of training seems to have almost no effect upon the selling price of most llamas. Most breeders advertising in local and national llama publications make no reference to it, probably because most llamas are not trained beyond walking on a lead. By and large, we have demonstrated that training is not as important to us as certain aesthetics, probably because aesthetics can be bred, but training requires time, effort, and a degree of expertise devoted to the animal as an individual, not to mention the fact that, by and large, it hasn’t resulted in higher sales Let’s face it: while the main focus is on marketing, training will be forced to the back of the bus. When a well-trained adult llama is valued more highly than a year-old youngster being marketed as a halter show prospect, llamas will have taken a significant step toward legitimate livestock status and away from the exotic, unusual, mysterious, quirky and unpredictable reputation they currently enjoy.

As breeders, owners, and prospective owner, I believe we must make a serious commitment to making well-trained llamas a priority. If we would pledge to seek and sell well-trained llamas, we will make giant steps to eliminate many common negative misconceptions of these animals and reduce the number of rescues significantly. Or we can accept the status quo, and continue to trivialize the training level of the llamas we buy and sell.  The choice, as always, is ours.

 

 

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