Before attempting any procedure which requires handling untrained llamas you will want to put on leather boots to protect the top of your feet from injury, if a llama accidentally steps on them with it hard toenails. Light gloves will protect your hands from incidental scrape, and sunglasses or other protective eyewear will allow you to face a llama unflinchingly in the unlikely event of threatened spitting. Handling llamas, moving them from one place to another, catching and holding them for examination or treatment requires a basic understanding of the species. Individual animals may react in different ways, but a few generalizations about llama psychology will help you deal with your animals more efficiently.

• Llamas are quick learners, easily conditioned, and are willing to comply with the wishes of their human handlers if the intent can be communicated and if the humans can demonstrate their control of the situation
  
  
• Llamas are uncomfortable about abrupt movement, direct eye contact, the silhouette of a human with arms widespread and about being touched, particularly by human hands.
  
  
• Llamas have a strong tendency to move as a group when being herded.
  
  
• Llamas instinctively oppose any pressure you apply against their body. It may be valuable to realize that pushing a llama to the right will usually result in it leaning to the left.
  
  
• Llamas are not very responsive to physical punishment or to the most common incentives used in training other types of animals (treats, petting praise).
  
  
• Llamas are repelled by agitated behavior and calmed by a relaxed, peaceful attitude.

To herd a group of llamas in a given direction, apply herding pressure from the opposite direction. If there are no factors which repel the group (people, fences or other physical obstructions) or attract it (another group of llamas or anything which excites their intense curiosity) you can assume that they will move directly away from you. In an open pasture you might begin herding pressure at a distance of 50 - 100' from the nearest llama, gradually approaching the group until they begin to flow in the opposite direction. Additional herdsmen can help focus the herding pressure. Some llama handlers use herding poles (plastic pipe or bamboo 12-15' long) or ropes stretched between herdsmen to extend their influence on the animals.

Once the llamas begin to move, or as the distance between you and them decreases, it may be desirable to lessen the pressure by moving more slowly and with more relaxed body language. Your success will be enhanced if you move the whole group, not allowing even a single llama to split off in another direction. Keep them moving along smoothly so they do not begin to consider other options. A single herdsman attempting to drive a large group of llamas may have to range from side to side to include all stragglers.

The object of most herding is to move the animals from a large area to a smaller one where they may be sorted or caught. Once you are among the animals in a confined area, project a calm and reassuring image, eyes lowered, movements slowed and hands at your side or behind your back. Many llama handlers imitate the llama's soft moan or hum to calm them. Sorting, separating one group into smaller groups, is most easily done with at least two people. After the whole group is herded into a confined space, a corral or small pen, one handler can be stationed at the gate to another pen, allowing the desired animals through and blocking the passage of others. Meanwhile, other handlers exert mild herding pressure on the group to present different animals to the gatekeeper for the sorting process. A herding pole makes maneuvering the animals much easier.

The best way to catch an individual is to herd it into a corner or small space where escape is impossible. Most llamas will surrender peacefully in this situation, especially if you allow a few seconds for them to adjust to the idea. If you feed in the barn or a small pen at the same time each day, you can simply wait until they go in, then close the gate and quietly move the individual animal into a corner. To make first contact with an animal who seems resigned to being caught, slowly and deliberately place a hand on its back. After a few seconds move your body alongside the animal and either halter it or "ear" it by running your hands up both sides of the neck from behind, maintaining firm contact until you reach the base of both ears. The ears may be grasped firmly if the animal decides to struggle, but often simply cupping and massaging the base of each ear between your thumb and index finger will distract and calm the animal enough for routine examinations or treatments. Additional handlers in contact with the llama will lesson the chances of struggle.

Catching a llama in a large field usually requires several people. An adult llama is a physical match for most people, and an untrained animal in the open is much more likely to bolt when surrounded and to struggle when caught. One technique is to use ropes stretched between the handlers to make a moving corral and to snag the animal if it tries to run through. The success of this approach depends on quickness and coordination, because the rope usually stops the animal for only a few seconds. Another method is to herd the animal against a fence or into a corner of the field where one or two handlers can move in to catch it. If it shows any intention of going over the fence, which in the case of barbed wire is a real danger to the animal, pause 6-10' away and wait a few seconds for the animal to calm down before approaching it. Experienced llama handlers may be able to accurately judge the moment of hesitation by the llama as it tries to decide which way to escape. By moving quickly at this moment, one person usually can restrain it long enough for others to assist. Unless you have confidence that you can act decisively at just the right moment, wait until the llama will tolerate a slow, deliberate approach, even if that takes a minute or more. The risk of injury and stress for both the animal and the people involved makes an open-field catch a very poor second choice to a controlled catch in a confined area.

Llama Herd Management ILA Educational Brochure#7; Authors: Paul and Sally Taylor; Cover Design: Patricial Waters. Paul and Sally Taylor have been llama breeders since 1975. Sally was one of four founding Directors of the International Llama Association, served on ILA's board from 1982 to 1985 and is Director of the International Llama Registry. In 1982 Paul retired from dentistry to devote full time to llama ranching. He has been an ILA Director, organized the first major registry for llamas in North America and was active in legislative and international political matters on behalf of ILA. The Taylors are respected authorities on llama care and management. In 1986 they co-produced the All About Llamas videotape series, and they have written many articles on herd management, breeding, birthing and care of newborn llamas.

For more information or to order additional copies contact: International Llama Association, P.O. Box 1891, Kalispell, MT 59903. Telephone: 406-257-0282 Fax: 406-257-8780; Email ILA@InternationalLlama.org or visit their site http://www.internationalllama.org/; Updated, August 1994; Copyright © 1989 International Llama Association. This publication may be reprinted if done so in complete form and credit is given.