Ride a Llama

Llamas have been used throughout their history as pack animals. Llamas typically aren't used for riding, but some are bred for this purpose. For the most part, it is recommended that only children under 50 lbs should ride llamas. Most llamas cannot withstand the weight of an adult directly on their spine. While they are bred for carrying cargo, the weight of their packs are well distributed.. Anyone riding a llama should make sure it has a well made pack saddle.

Steps

Getting Onto the Llama

1. Have someone else soothe the llama and hold the reins. You can now get on the llama.
   • It is important that the llama is calm before you get on the saddle.
   • If a llama becomes alarmed and fidgets while you are getting on, you can get injured.
   • Having someone else settle the llama while you are mounting the pack saddle can help.
2. Put your hands at the withers (where the neck meets the body). Hoist yourself up onto the animal.
   • Swing your leg over the top of the llama to settle onto the pack saddle.
   • If you are too short to get onto the llama, try using a footstool for leverage.
   • Make sure you are secure in the saddle. If you aren't comfortable, adjust your position.
3. Steady your position. Your back should be straight and you should be firmly mounted on the llama.
   • You want to have a comfortable and steady seat to avoid falling off or injuring yourself during the ride.
   • Make sure you can comfortably nudge the animal with your heels before you get going.
   • Make sure you can comfortably reach the reins without straining your arms or back.

Riding A Llama

1. Take the reins from your assistant. Hold them firmly. Tap the llama with your heels to get it to start moving.
   • Gently nudge the llama with your heels to get it to start moving.
   • Don't kick the llama with your feet. This will hurt them and might cause them to scare.
   • Always be respectful of the animal. A gentle nudge is all the llama will need to know to move forward.
2. Use your reins to steer. You will need to pull them to the left or right to make the animal turn.
   • Pull on the left rein firmly but gently to go left.
   • Pull the right rein turn the llama right.
   • Never pull the reins suddenly or too hard. This can cause the llama some discomfort.
3. Stop the llama when you are ready to dismount. To stop it, squeeze your thighs against the llama's rib cage.
   • This squeezing motion signals the llama to stop.
   • This movement won't hurt the llama if done gently.
   • Don't squeeze the llama too hard. Remember, you always want to treat the animal you are riding with respect.

Tips

• Do not hurt the llama in any way, and never kick the llama to get it moving.
• It is best not to go llama riding alone or in secluded spots.
• If you are gentle and confident, you will have more control.
• Let the llama rest every so often, and feed it food and water.
• Llamas can only carry 1/4th their body weight safely, know the size of your llama and think carefully before attempting to ride it. In general only children can safely ride a llama.

Warnings

• Don't aggravate the llama, as it may spit, kick or bite you.
• Only a trained llama should carry a human and this should be done using a special pack.
• Only ride fully grown, healthy adult llamas.
• Ride in groups of 2 or more people.
• unless it is a very very strong llama! a human over 50 pounds should NOT ride a llama as it could hurt the llama!

Related Articles

• Care for a Llama

Sources and Citations

See also

• Care for a Llama
• Run an Alpaca Farm