Why Llamas!

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=125 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="25fdc843.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Amaze" ><B>The High Sierra Llama Ranch</B></FONT><B>    </B><B>   </B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The High Sierra Llama Ranch"><U><B> </B></U></A><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The High Sierra Llama Ranch"><U><B>Home</B></U></A><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The High Sierra Llama Ranch"><U><B> </B></U></A><B>   </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Amaze" ><B> </B></FONT><B>| </B><B>   </B><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llamas for Sale"><U>Llamas for Sale</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Herdsires"><U>Herdsires</U></A>   |   <B>Why Llamas!</B>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Color Genetics"><U>Llama Color Genetics</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Inspired Jewelry/Show Awards"><U>Llama Inspired Jewelry/Show Awards</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Color Clinics"><U>Llama Color  Clinics</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04707053.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=355 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="285c5c63.jpg"> <div> <I><B>Why Llamas?</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Bangle" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bangle" ><B><IMG SRC="0510f110.gif" border=0 width="15" height="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">L</B></FONT><B>lamas</B> are sure-footed and are environmentally friendly. Their two-toed feet with nails and leathery bottoms, similar to a dog’s pad, do less environmental damage than a hiking boot. They also require very little carried food on the trail in comparison with other pack animals. This and their tendency to browse rather than graze make their impact on natural forage minimal. Many people own llamas as companion animals or pets because their calm nature, gentleness and intelligence make them a non-demanding pleasure to be around and train. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0510f110.gif" border=0 width="15" height="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Llamas</B> are especially good with children and there are many active 4-H programs for llamas throughout the US and Canada. Llamas are fun for the entire family as a llama can be trained to walk in parades, be a daily jogging companion, visit schools, entertain at birthday parties, People are becoming familiar with llamas throughout North America, but the most common question asked of llama owners is,“What are they used for?” If you become familiar llama characteristics, the many uses of llamas become more easily understood. Llamas are classed as domestic (not exotic) livestock by the USDA and are owned and raised for many purposes. Llamas are very intelligent, independent, aloof, curious, gentle, relatively easy to train and they exhibit a lot of common sense. Once you own a llama you will no longer question their use, as you will have fallen in love with a</div> <div> <I>very special friend</I>. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0510f110.gif" border=0 width="15" height="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Traditionally</B>, llamas make superior pack animals for a picnic, a day trip or an extended camping expedition. Llamas have also been successfully trained to caddy on golf courses. A mature, trained pack llama can carry approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of its body weight (50-120 lb). It is not recommended that llamas be ridden, although some people do put small children on specially built llama saddles. deliver Christmas gifts, just relax with, pull a cart and much more. There is a very active llama show association (ALSA) and many owners enjoy the competition of the show ring. Shows are held locally and regionally. There are also a number of non-competitive llama events, such as fairs, exploration hikes and other diverse functions to enjoy with your llama while sharing experiences and friendship with fellow owners.</div> <bR> <div> Llamas are popular to raise for their beautiful, luxurious wool, which can be regularly brushed out or sheared. Llama wool</div> <div> does not contain lanolin, so many people who are allergic to sheep wool can wear llama. It is a  hollow fiber and is warmer and lighter than sheep’s wool. The wool is highly prized by spinners, knitters, felters and weavers as a superior fiber for sweaters, hats, stoles, vests and other garments. Llamas are raised by many people as breeding stock, and the thrill of producing a baby is universal. Babies (crias) play together in the field and are a joy to watch cavorting. Serious breeders study bloodlines in order to produce better, more beautiful and genetically superior animals. This is one important reason to insist on buying only registered llamas. The market for llamas continues to expand as more people learn of the pleasure, lifestyle and financial advantages of owning llamas. Llamas make excellent guard animals for effective predator</div> <div> management for flocks of sheep and goats and herds of cattle against coyotes and feral dogs. A neutered adult is recommended, with a single llama per herd, so that the llama identifies with the herd and protects it.</div> <div> This is the one exception to the recommendation not to have a single llama.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0510f110.gif" border=0 width="15" height="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B>Llamas</B> are being used more and more in animal-assisted therapy. Llamas are routinely taken into senior citizen centers, nursing homes, hospitals and mental health facilities to stimulate or soothe residents. A llama’s sensitivity has been compared to that of dolphins and, as llamas are used more in this capacity, their value increases as a means to reach and enhance the lives of others, especially the disabled. As you can see, there are many uses of llamas which are limited only by our imaginations. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0510f110.gif" border=0 width="15" height="17" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#330066" FACE="Bangle" ><B>A warning </B></FONT>should be placed here for what is known among llama owners as ‘llama fever’. Llama fever is highly contagious, and there is no known cure ... except maybe owning more llamas. The symptoms vary, but include talking about your llamas endlessly, visiting other llama farms at every opportunity, being totally smitten with your new friends and spending every possible moment with them.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llamas for Sale"><U><B>Llamas for Sale</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Herdsires"><U><B>Herdsires</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>Why Llamas!</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Color Genetics"><U><B>Llama Color Genetics</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U><B>Contact Us</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Inspired Jewelry/Show Awards"><U><B>Llama Inspired Jewelry/Show Awards</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Llama Color Clinics"><U><B>Llama Color  Clinics</B></U></A></div> <div>   </div> <div> <B>© Copyright 2003, The High Sierra Llama Ranch, all rights reserved.</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF9900" FACE="Freefrm721 BT" >      </FONT></div> </td> </tr></table></body>