Driving llamas to carts is gaining popularity with North American llama owners. This is a new activity for llamas as a species, in the sense that while llamas were selected and used for packing for centuries in their South American habitat, they were not used for pulling carts. Those who train and use pack llamas often feel that packing must be “in their genes” because they take to it so naturally and do it so well. Driving to cart, on the other hand, offers a different kind of challenge—at once new, fun and definitely more complex.

The Ideal Llama

The ideal pleasure-driving llama is trained to respond to subtle signals from the driver. Prompt obedience is the key to safety in driving any animal, and there are always inherent risks in driving. The llama learns to move at several speeds—the walk, jog, trot and cantor, to make wide or tight turns as necessary, to back the cart when required, and to stand quietly for his driver and passengers to mount or dismount. He will be calm, self-confident and trusting of his driver when encountering unfamiliar situations.

This is a tall order, but with good training, some llamas are showing that they can attain this ideal level. It is truly a pleasure to take a friend for a drive, explore the neighborhood, chatting the while. Great fun, too, is getting together for an excursion with others, and the llamas seem to enjoy the company of their fellow drivers.

A well-trained driving or cart-pulling llama is an excellent ambassador for the llama community, often appearing in parades, fairs, shows, or other public activities. The distinction between cart pullers and driving llamas is that while the driving llama is guided by the driver sitting in his cart, the cart-pulling llama draws a cart with passengers or other loads while being led by handlers. This is often the safest way for a llama with cart to participate in public events. Since most llamas are not by nature very spooky, they can learn very quickly to accept and pull a cart. With additional practice and experience in being out and about, they will become calm and reliable in public situations. A driving llama, too, depending upon his nature and training, may also be very reliable in public events. Either way, a llama with cart presents a very pretty sight for the spectators.

Driving in Shows

When driving classes are offered as part of an ALSA show, there are two possible classes: Pleasure Driving and Obstacle Driving, both for single hitch.

The objective of the Pleasure Driving class, according to the ALSA Handbook, is to “show the suitability of the llama to provide a pleasant drive.” The performance requirements are the same as those mentioned above for the ideal pleasure driving llama, and he should demonstrate good manners when driving in the company of other llamas. In addition, the “turnout,” which is the term for the entire unit of llama, harness, cart and driver, is judged on the condition and fit of the harness and vehicle, neatness of attire, and the overall impression the turnout makes. Any two- or four-wheeled vehicle of suitable size and weight for the particular llama may be used.

The Obstacle Driving class has as its objective to “demonstrate the llama’s training, the driver’s skill, and the coordination of driver and llama” (ALSA handbook). The course usually requires precision in maneuvers, self-confidence and trust, as the llama encounters new challenges. He obstacles and requirements for the course are based on the kinds of things a driver and his llama may have to contend with while out on a drive, such as puddles, potholes, bridges, stop signs, other animals, parked vehicles, and the like. An imaginatively designed course is challenging for the drivers and fun for the spectators, as the latter can appreciate the success with which each driver negotiates the obstacles.

Communicating with the Llama

A driver has three means of communication with any driving animal: his voice, the reins, and signals from the whip. Commands given by the driver should all be subtle and quiet. The llama’s responses to such commands are all learned responses that he acquires through repetition and practice. Of the three means of communication, the most important are the reins attached to the llama’s driving halter and the driver’s voice commands. The reins in particular, when held with an even, light contact, provide the constant “line of communication” by which the driver can indicate small or large changes in direction and speed to the llama and, in turn, he can detect any inclination the llama may have to alter direction.

When llamas are learning all the necessary commands and signals required for the safe management of a driving animal, they demonstrate how quickly they learn and how well they retain their training. They learn to obey word commands such as “Whoa,” “Back,” and specific terms for the various speeds from walk to canter, or whatever verbal commands the trainer chooses to use in conjunction with signals with the reins and whip. Obedience and consistency in response come from careful training and practice.

For llamas that are destined to perform in the show classes, a certain amount of driving in a ring or arena is necessary.  Unless they are actually learning something, llamas may quickly find this activity boring. Most trainers find that the best training plan alternates a modest amount of ring work with drives out on the road or some open area. Llamas always seem to find these drives interesting, just as they enjoy getting out and going for walks.

Into the Future

Llama driving as a recreational activity or performance event is still in an embryonic state. But as more and more llama owners take up the challenge, we shall learn more about what kind of llama—i.e., what combination of temperament and conformation—and training will produce the best drivers. Driving is such a demanding activity, both physically and mentally. It is already clear that we should not expect every llama to make a good driver, just as it is recognized in the horse world that not every horse is suitable for driving. However, we won’t know enough about llamas and driving until more of us take up the challenge and try our best—and right now, that’s the fun part. It’s a new frontier!