How to load for transport
Loading - Llamas usually load very easily, they will "kush" lay
down when riding
Remember the llama is scared
and thinks your purpose is to harm him -
If you are calm it will transfer to the animal
One
person pulling, other person bumps llama from behind. Or a person on each
side with hands clasped under chest to lift into van or truck while one
person pulls from inside. DON'T Touch the head or face area. If
the llama is not halter broken, and leading it is necessary, I would
recommend using a belly line to keep the llama from injuring itself
fighting the halter. A long lead can then be run through a trailer to
guide the llama, and helpers can apply gentle pressure to the
llama's haunches to help load it, and if necessary, the front legs can be
tickled with a stick or picked up and placed in the loading area.
- Van, Pickup truck with topper, trailer
(with back doors)
- Pick up front foot and place it where you
want to load, have someone push from the back and sides -
lift the backend and they will usually go in. If you stay close to the
rear they will not kick.
- With a long rope attached to the halter
you can run it though the trailer and as you pull have someone herd the
llama from the rear. Gently push or lift as you pull from the
front.
- Use panels, or some barrier to make an
isle (block sides) for the llama to load as you pull from the
front
- Don't tie the llama once they are loaded
as they could injure themselves (they do jump) if only using cattle
racks with no top you might have to secure the llama. Don't leave a long
rope they could get around their neck
- You can leave a "short" catch
strap or rope attached to the halter
- Upon arrival attach the lead rope and give
the llama a few minutes to "check out the situation" and
SLOWLY let him jump out. A little patience will make this unloading easy
for you and the llama.
- Give him a minute to look around at his
new surroundings and then walk him to a corral or stall.