Conformation for the Working Llama
1. Introduction
Any llama with reasonable conformation and some degree of conditioning will likely be suitable for light to moderate packing for the average person. However, as the demands increase, so does the necessity for choosing a llama that is up to the job. Many people have purchased llamas as being “suitable for packing”, only to find that the animal did not meet expectations.
Perhaps the llama had a covering of heavy wool and was not able to adjust to different temperature and humidity conditions, or perhaps it simply was not built for stamina over distance.
The following thoughts and observations are aimed at those people who are, for whatever reason, looking for ways to identify the superior athlete on the basis of structure and way of going.
Many of these concepts were pointed out to us by experienced packers, and in particular, by Wes Holmquist. Some are carry-overs from the equine world that we believe to hold true for llamas, and some are recent concepts based on observations in the field.
One has to be very cautious about applying equine principles to llamas; many of the principles of equine conformation are simply not applicable to llamas because of the differences in structure of these animals and the very different uses to which they are put.
The following is intended as a very broad and general outline – as starting point and collection of theories for discussion and examination, rather than a comprehensive scientific treatise on llama conformation. Much of it may be revised as we add to our knowledge of the working llama over the years.
We are always suspicious of those people who say they understand a topic, but refuse to discuss specifics because they claim the principles are far too complex to be understood by the average person.
If we are to be successful breeders of the working llama, we need to understand the specifics - what makes each one different. It’s not difficult to choose the males on the basis of performance, but many of us do not pack our breeding females. They are untested on the trail. They have no performance record. We need to assess their potential through studying their structure and movement.
It is not our intention to label specific conformational traits as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but simply to attempt to identify those traits likely to lead to athletic excellence. And even more importantly – to encourage breeders and packers to study their llamas with a view to underlying structure.
A thorough knowledge of conformation is a huge bonus when making breeding plans – judging which crosses are likely to be successful for a given purpose.
The skeleton is the base and the foundation upon which all else is constructed. This cannot be emphasized enough. All llamas and alpacas have the same bones in their bodies. But it is the size and length of these bones and the angles of attachment that results in individual body types. Bone lengths and angles govern range of motion and available space for anchoring muscles, tendons and ligaments. It all starts with the skeleton.
Drawings of the llama skeleton were done for the purpose of demonstrating principles of motion and may not be anatomically accurate.
1. Introduction
Any llama with reasonable conformation and some degree of conditioning will likely be suitable for light to moderate packing for the average person. However, as the demands increase, so does the necessity for choosing a llama that is up to the job. Many people have purchased llamas as being “suitable for packing”, only to find that the animal did not meet expectations.
Perhaps the llama had a covering of heavy wool and was not able to adjust to different temperature and humidity conditions, or perhaps it simply was not built for stamina over distance.
The following thoughts and observations are aimed at those people who are, for whatever reason, looking for ways to identify the superior athlete on the basis of structure and way of going.
Many of these concepts were pointed out to us by experienced packers, and in particular, by Wes Holmquist. Some are carry-overs from the equine world that we believe to hold true for llamas, and some are recent concepts based on observations in the field.
One has to be very cautious about applying equine principles to llamas; many of the principles of equine conformation are simply not applicable to llamas because of the differences in structure of these animals and the very different uses to which they are put.
The following is intended as a very broad and general outline – as starting point and collection of theories for discussion and examination, rather than a comprehensive scientific treatise on llama conformation. Much of it may be revised as we add to our knowledge of the working llama over the years.
We are always suspicious of those people who say they understand a topic, but refuse to discuss specifics because they claim the principles are far too complex to be understood by the average person.
If we are to be successful breeders of the working llama, we need to understand the specifics - what makes each one different. It’s not difficult to choose the males on the basis of performance, but many of us do not pack our breeding females. They are untested on the trail. They have no performance record. We need to assess their potential through studying their structure and movement.
It is not our intention to label specific conformational traits as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but simply to attempt to identify those traits likely to lead to athletic excellence. And even more importantly – to encourage breeders and packers to study their llamas with a view to underlying structure.
A thorough knowledge of conformation is a huge bonus when making breeding plans – judging which crosses are likely to be successful for a given purpose.
The skeleton is the base and the foundation upon which all else is constructed. This cannot be emphasized enough. All llamas and alpacas have the same bones in their bodies. But it is the size and length of these bones and the angles of attachment that results in individual body types. Bone lengths and angles govern range of motion and available space for anchoring muscles, tendons and ligaments. It all starts with the skeleton.
Drawings of the llama skeleton were done for the purpose of demonstrating principles of motion and may not be anatomically accurate.
2. Overall Look and Balance
The Ccara llama is, above all, a working animal and an athlete. The overall look should be one of power and grace, with an energy-efficient way of going. There will be no obvious deformities and the llama should move smoothly with a relatively long free stride. There will be an infinite range of body types from the streamlined lean and lanky frame to the more solid look with heavier bone and more bulky muscling.
The Ccara llama is, above all, a working animal and an athlete. The overall look should be one of power and grace, with an energy-efficient way of going. There will be no obvious deformities and the llama should move smoothly with a relatively long free stride. There will be an infinite range of body types from the streamlined lean and lanky frame to the more solid look with heavier bone and more bulky muscling.
Lighter bone & muscling on the left and heavier bone & muscling on the right.
A relatively narrow stance with legs longer than depth of girth is a characteristic that has been related to athleticism in the working llama. This characteristic is associated with efficient use of energy; in other words, maximum work accomplished with minimum effort. The llama that uses less energy to perform a task, because of an efficiently-designed body, will last longer on the trail (i.e. more stamina.)
The llama’s normal traveling gait - the pace - is accomplished by bringing the legs on the same side forward together as lateral pairs rather than moving the legs as diagonal pairs as do most equines. At the pace, the entire weight of the body is shifted from side to side with each stride. Stability of the pacing animal is enhanced with a narrow base of support, thus reducing the distance of the arc through which the topline of the animal travels with each stride.
The llama’s normal traveling gait - the pace - is accomplished by bringing the legs on the same side forward together as lateral pairs rather than moving the legs as diagonal pairs as do most equines. At the pace, the entire weight of the body is shifted from side to side with each stride. Stability of the pacing animal is enhanced with a narrow base of support, thus reducing the distance of the arc through which the topline of the animal travels with each stride.
A broad chested llama with a base-wide stance that travels with a noticeable lateral sway when carrying a loaded pack will expend more energy in propelling himself forward than the narrower animal, thus tiring more quickly.
3. The Feet and Pasterns
The working llama needs a good base of support for continued soundness. Small dainty feet have no place in the world of the pack llama. It has been suggested that feet with broad heels and short toes with a broad ‘vee’ between them are desirable. It would seem likely that long toes would shift the animal’s weight towards the rear of the foot, putting additional stress on the structures of the pastern.
3. The Feet and Pasterns
The working llama needs a good base of support for continued soundness. Small dainty feet have no place in the world of the pack llama. It has been suggested that feet with broad heels and short toes with a broad ‘vee’ between them are desirable. It would seem likely that long toes would shift the animal’s weight towards the rear of the foot, putting additional stress on the structures of the pastern.
This 20 year old stud on the left has good strong feet with short broad heels. The picture on the right shows this girl may be shifting the weight back on to the heels.
Small dainty feet do not provide an adequate base of support for this pack gelding on boggy ground. He sinks when he is packed.
Dropped pasterns are a serious problem in the llama, putting an effective end to his packing days. Although various mineral supplements have been found helpful in the treatment of fallen pasterns, strong pasterns are thought to be a heritable characteristic. Nutrition during development is likely a factor as well.
The llama with strong pasterns will not exhibit any marked degree of slackness or sag in the pastern as he strides along. Some very tall leggy llamas seem to have longer pasterns and perhaps they need the extra length for cushioning. Such pasterns may have some degree of spring or bounce but they are still very strong.
The llama with strong pasterns will not exhibit any marked degree of slackness or sag in the pastern as he strides along. Some very tall leggy llamas seem to have longer pasterns and perhaps they need the extra length for cushioning. Such pasterns may have some degree of spring or bounce but they are still very strong.
Extremely short, upright pasterns on a small woolly gelding. Longer springy pasterns on a tall Ccara female.
An injury has resulted in this soft pastern on one front leg. A dropped pastern will result in the fetlock joint actually dropping right to the ground as the llama walks.
4. The Leg Bones
Leg bones are the levers that propel the animal forward. The length of the various bones and their angles of attachment are a major factor in determining the length and mechanical efficiency of the stride. Angulation also determines the degree of shock absorption in the various joints.
Some thought needs to be given to optimum bone size as well. Muscles are only as strong as the bones to which they are anchored. A llama too fine and light in the leg bones may have difficulty remaining sound over years of packing. A llama with heavy bone may suffer from reduced endurance. Optimum bone size has been determined in many equine breeds by measuring the circumference of the front cannon bones below the knee, and relating this measurement to long term performance.
Perhaps in time we will be able to determine optimum range of bone size in the working llama by this same method. A seamstress’s tape measure pulled snugly around the front cannon bone just below the knee will do the trick. We have measured a light-boned llama at 5 ¼” diameter, a medium-boned llama at 5 ¾ “, and a heavier-boned llama with 6 ¼” diameter cannon bones. Both the medium and the heavier-boned llamas are males, both proven high-end packers. The light-boned llama is a female.
Long upper leg bones for range of motion (reach and leverage) and short cannon bones for strength are very desirable.
Leg bones are the levers that propel the animal forward. The length of the various bones and their angles of attachment are a major factor in determining the length and mechanical efficiency of the stride. Angulation also determines the degree of shock absorption in the various joints.
Some thought needs to be given to optimum bone size as well. Muscles are only as strong as the bones to which they are anchored. A llama too fine and light in the leg bones may have difficulty remaining sound over years of packing. A llama with heavy bone may suffer from reduced endurance. Optimum bone size has been determined in many equine breeds by measuring the circumference of the front cannon bones below the knee, and relating this measurement to long term performance.
Perhaps in time we will be able to determine optimum range of bone size in the working llama by this same method. A seamstress’s tape measure pulled snugly around the front cannon bone just below the knee will do the trick. We have measured a light-boned llama at 5 ¼” diameter, a medium-boned llama at 5 ¾ “, and a heavier-boned llama with 6 ¼” diameter cannon bones. Both the medium and the heavier-boned llamas are males, both proven high-end packers. The light-boned llama is a female.
Long upper leg bones for range of motion (reach and leverage) and short cannon bones for strength are very desirable.
A slight toeing out both in front and behind is considered to be normal in the working llama. This is quite different from angular limb deformities such as knock knees and cow hocks, which are to be avoided.
It is important that the joints of the leg - the stifle, hock and fetlock joints behind, and the elbow, knee and fetlock in front - all be aligned in the same plane to minimize stress on any one joint. If, for instance, the llama’s hind toes point slightly outwards, then its stifle joints should also angle outwards slightly, and the hock joints slightly inwards.
5. The Front Quarters
A long sloping shoulder provides for great range of motion, mechanical efficiency and excellent shock absorption when combined with a long upper arm (humerus). In a llama with these traits, a plumb line dropped to the ground from the base of the llama’s neck will sit well ahead of the front legs.
It is important that the joints of the leg - the stifle, hock and fetlock joints behind, and the elbow, knee and fetlock in front - all be aligned in the same plane to minimize stress on any one joint. If, for instance, the llama’s hind toes point slightly outwards, then its stifle joints should also angle outwards slightly, and the hock joints slightly inwards.
5. The Front Quarters
A long sloping shoulder provides for great range of motion, mechanical efficiency and excellent shock absorption when combined with a long upper arm (humerus). In a llama with these traits, a plumb line dropped to the ground from the base of the llama’s neck will sit well ahead of the front legs.
A steeper shoulder provides for greater load-bearing strength with no loss of flexibility, if combined with long upper leg bones and good angulation at the ‘elbow’ joint. Such a llama may have this plumb line closer to the front legs.
Again, long upper leg bones are associated with an energy-efficient way of going – i.e. athleticism.
Llamas with steep shoulders, short upper leg bones and short necks such as the ones shown below would have limited range of motion and probably would not stand up to heavy packing. These llamas do not have energy-efficient bodies.
Llamas with steep shoulders, short upper leg bones and short necks such as the ones shown below would have limited range of motion and probably would not stand up to heavy packing. These llamas do not have energy-efficient bodies.
The front legs and shoulders on a llama carry the bulk of the animal’s weight, perhaps as much as 2/3 of the total. Powerful muscling at the attachment of legs to chest is critical to long-term soundness in an animal that spends much of its life packing heavy loads in the mountains. There is a tremendous amount of stress to the shoulders when a packed llama is tackling steep downhill terrain, with sudden and frequent changes in footing and direction.
Consider also the stress to the front legs and shoulders when the loaded llama, on a steep uphill climb over loose rock, looses purchase with his hind feet and has to claw his way upwards with his front toenails. In this instance he needs to immediately shift into ‘front wheel drive.’
Look closely to see the excellent muscling at the inner attachment of front legs to chest on these two boys. The twin shadowy bulges of muscle are clearly shown in the llama on the left, and on the white leg of the right-hand llama.
Consider also the stress to the front legs and shoulders when the loaded llama, on a steep uphill climb over loose rock, looses purchase with his hind feet and has to claw his way upwards with his front toenails. In this instance he needs to immediately shift into ‘front wheel drive.’
Look closely to see the excellent muscling at the inner attachment of front legs to chest on these two boys. The twin shadowy bulges of muscle are clearly shown in the llama on the left, and on the white leg of the right-hand llama.
Here’s a close up of two young males with excellent chest muscling:
Heavier bone may be an advantage as well, for the llama packing big loads in the mountains. The lanky, rangy, streamlined llama on the left, above and below, does well at a fairly rapid pace with moderate loads over long distances. He would rather run than walk. Both the more compact-bodied, heavier-boned llamas shown here on the right, above and below, excel carrying maximum loads over rugged terrain and distance. They are unusually powerful animals. All three are high-end packers.
Both the above boys have excellent leg-length/girth depth ratios, both are comparable wither heights (48” – 49”), and both are cut up high in the flank. Both are lean and fit with a relatively narrow stance. Both have excellent length and angulation in the upper leg bones, although the proportions differ quite considerably between the two. The brown llama appears to be exceptionally long from stifle to hock, and from the point of the shoulder to the elbow. The white llama appears to have exceptional length from hip to stifle, and from withers to the point of the shoulder.
The white llama has heavier bone (6 ¼”below the knee compared to 5 ¾” on the brown boy) shorter cannons and a more compact body. He outweighs the brown fellow by at least 50 lbs.
6. The Hindquarters
Power for locomotion – the thrust – is provided by the hindquarters. Long upper leg bones maximize the area for muscle attachment. Long, well anchored muscles are needed here for the powerful and rapid contractions that will propel the loaded llama with ease. A long thigh (hip to stifle) and/or gaskin (stifle to hock) with good angulation in the hip and stifle joints provide the necessary shock absorption and range of motion capabilities.
As with the shoulder, a long sloping (as opposed to short, steep) hip, or pelvis, in the rangy llama is associated with efficiency of stride – speed and endurance over distance. The more compact-bodied llama with a steeper pelvis has more power (load-bearing strength), and with length and good angulation in the pelvis and upper leg bones, is a different style of athlete.
The white llama has heavier bone (6 ¼”below the knee compared to 5 ¾” on the brown boy) shorter cannons and a more compact body. He outweighs the brown fellow by at least 50 lbs.
6. The Hindquarters
Power for locomotion – the thrust – is provided by the hindquarters. Long upper leg bones maximize the area for muscle attachment. Long, well anchored muscles are needed here for the powerful and rapid contractions that will propel the loaded llama with ease. A long thigh (hip to stifle) and/or gaskin (stifle to hock) with good angulation in the hip and stifle joints provide the necessary shock absorption and range of motion capabilities.
As with the shoulder, a long sloping (as opposed to short, steep) hip, or pelvis, in the rangy llama is associated with efficiency of stride – speed and endurance over distance. The more compact-bodied llama with a steeper pelvis has more power (load-bearing strength), and with length and good angulation in the pelvis and upper leg bones, is a different style of athlete.
Long, sloping hip and shoulder on the left and a short, steep hip and shoulder on the right.
The combination of short steep pelvis and short, rather straight upper leg bones (poor angulation) may not be the best type of conformation for long-distance packing. If combined with thickness through the loin, then short strides and poor range of motion would likely be the result. Such a llama would have little stamina.
Maximum efficiency is directly related to angulation in the hindquarters. The cannon bones and hock joints need to be directly under the pelvis for most effective use of the power generated by the muscles. Think of yourself moving a heavy weight. You would not try to lift at the end of your reach, but rather, position your hips, shoulders and back as directly under the load as possible.
Maximum efficiency is directly related to angulation in the hindquarters. The cannon bones and hock joints need to be directly under the pelvis for most effective use of the power generated by the muscles. Think of yourself moving a heavy weight. You would not try to lift at the end of your reach, but rather, position your hips, shoulders and back as directly under the load as possible.
Well conformed hind legs can be assessed at almost any point in the stride. A line extended up from the cannon bone will touch, or come close to, the point of the buttock.
This athletic female has very well conformed hindquarters. Maximum thrust is provided directly under the hips. She is, perhaps, a little light-boned.
Long upper leg bones in the Ccara llama are very different from the alpaca type structure. Many people who have limited experience with the working llama wrongly interpret length in the upper leg bones as being a ‘post-legged’ type of conformation. The Ccara, with his long thigh and gaskin (tibia), typically has little angulation in the hock joint. The more pronounced angulation in the hip and stifle joints together with these long upper leg bones are what give the Ccara his superior range of motion.
Be very sure you can distinguish between ‘post-legged,’ and simply long-legged and rangy. The truly post legged llama will have very limited angulation in the hip, stifle AND hock joints, resulting in a severely restricted range of motion. (Short stride)
Be very sure you can distinguish between ‘post-legged,’ and simply long-legged and rangy. The truly post legged llama will have very limited angulation in the hip, stifle AND hock joints, resulting in a severely restricted range of motion. (Short stride)
Post-legged (Photo from Niki Kuklenski’s website)
The athletic llama with good angulation and long upper leg bones will have a very superior stride length and above average stamina.
Sickle hocks and the ‘camped out behind’ type of conformation should be avoided in the working llama.
Some alpacas and llamas have unusually long gaskins without the corresponding length in the pelvis and femur. This results in an abnormal, “crouchy” stance. This llama below is sickle-hocked
Sickle hocks and the ‘camped out behind’ type of conformation should be avoided in the working llama.
Some alpacas and llamas have unusually long gaskins without the corresponding length in the pelvis and femur. This results in an abnormal, “crouchy” stance. This llama below is sickle-hocked
A sickle-hocked llama is unable to fully straighten his hocks, thus reducing the thrust needed for efficient locomotion.
The llama who is “camped out behind” is able to straighten his hocks, but much of the thrust is lost when the hock joints are placed so far behind the hips.
The llama who is “camped out behind” is able to straighten his hocks, but much of the thrust is lost when the hock joints are placed so far behind the hips.
Camped out behind
Llamas that are cut up high in the flank have ample unrestricted room for the forward motion of the hind legs and generally have more stamina than thicker-bodied animals.
A thick-bodied llama on the left and on the right one cut up high in the flank
One final comment on hip slope: show ring judges discriminate against female llamas with the vulva more on a horizontal plane than a vertical plane. This is a carry-over from the horse world where fecal contamination of a more horizontal vulva (common in Thoroughbred mares) has resulted in uterine infections.
We are not convinced that this tendency has been demonstrated to hold true for llamas, but at any rate, the long sloping hip which gives Thoroughbred mares their long rangy stride is associated with the shelving of the vulva. The long sloping hip is a desirable attribute in the working llama, as it is with Thoroughbred mares.
Older females with a long sloping hip who have had several pregnancies and a resulting slackening of muscle tone will show this tendency of the vulva to lie on a more horizontal plane. We do not consider it to be a fault – quite the opposite.
On the other hand, some females with a steep, vertical hip slope have been observed to suffer from urine scald during the winter months. Although urine scald is diet related, we have never seen a case in a female with long sloping hips. With this type of conformation there is less likelihood of urine running down between the buttocks and causing irritation.
We are not convinced that this tendency has been demonstrated to hold true for llamas, but at any rate, the long sloping hip which gives Thoroughbred mares their long rangy stride is associated with the shelving of the vulva. The long sloping hip is a desirable attribute in the working llama, as it is with Thoroughbred mares.
Older females with a long sloping hip who have had several pregnancies and a resulting slackening of muscle tone will show this tendency of the vulva to lie on a more horizontal plane. We do not consider it to be a fault – quite the opposite.
On the other hand, some females with a steep, vertical hip slope have been observed to suffer from urine scald during the winter months. Although urine scald is diet related, we have never seen a case in a female with long sloping hips. With this type of conformation there is less likelihood of urine running down between the buttocks and causing irritation.
Urine Scald on a female with a short steep hip. The shelving vulva on a older female with a long sloping hip.
Muscling on the inner thighs should appear as well defined bulges of different muscle groups, when viewing the llama from behind. Even the overweight llama or the thin llama should show this definition to some degree. Llamas with a smooth line from the inner thighs to the hock, (no definition at all) are likely weak in the hindquarters. The female in the photo, above left, has very little muscle definition on the inner thighs even though she is slightly overweight.
Nice muscling on an immature male on the left. Poor muscling, little definition on the right.
7. The Back See Fig.39
A strong back is essential in a pack llama and generally speaking, short backs are strong backs. Think of a long unsupported roof span with a heavy snow load.
The actual back length is the distance between the withers (highest point of the shoulder, or shoulder blades) and the point of the hip, just above the lumbo-sacral joint. A long sloping (as opposed to short, steep) hip and shoulder may give the appearance of a long back, but in fact such an animal has a long body – not the same thing at all. Body length is measured from the point of the buttocks to the point of the shoulder.
A strong back is essential in a pack llama and generally speaking, short backs are strong backs. Think of a long unsupported roof span with a heavy snow load.
The actual back length is the distance between the withers (highest point of the shoulder, or shoulder blades) and the point of the hip, just above the lumbo-sacral joint. A long sloping (as opposed to short, steep) hip and shoulder may give the appearance of a long back, but in fact such an animal has a long body – not the same thing at all. Body length is measured from the point of the buttocks to the point of the shoulder.
This boy has a long sloping (as opposed to short, steep) hip and shoulder, giving him a long overall body length. His actual back is relatively short.
A llama with a long back may be lacking in strength. The photo below shows a long-backed llama. Look closely and you will see that she is long in the area of the loin (from the last rib to the point of the hip). This llama is quite athletic but her stamina and weight-bearing capacity are probably limited.
A llama with a long back may be lacking in strength. The photo below shows a long-backed llama. Look closely and you will see that she is long in the area of the loin (from the last rib to the point of the hip). This llama is quite athletic but her stamina and weight-bearing capacity are probably limited.
This conformational trait leads to a loss of the power being generated by the hindquarters. In a short-backed llama this power is directly transmitted through the lumbo-sacral joint and structures of the back (think of the drive train in a vehicle) to the front quarters. In a long-backed llama, much of the power is lost in the weak coupling of the loin. A strong, flexible lumbo-sacral joint is essential in the working llama.
A good back will also be relatively A-shaped in cross section – with a spine that is easily felt and a good slope down from each side. Llamas with flat backs in cross-section (from overweight, different muscling or with more curvature to the ribs) are hard to fit with a packsaddle. Girths (cinches) need to be done up very tightly to hold the load in place and this is tiring to the llama. A good back holds a saddle well. One does have to be careful though, to ensure there is ample clearance between the spine and the saddle tree on a sharp-spined llama. A sway back or a roach (slight upward curve) back is undesirable. The sway back tends to be weak in the middle, and saddles tend to slide forward on roach backed llamas.
Hip height and wither height should be relatively equal. It is more common for llamas to be slightly higher in the hips but again, loads have to be well-secured to prevent them from sliding forward over the shoulders. The rare llama with a shoulder higher than the hip is very desirable and seems to carry a pack well with little need for crupper or breeching. Much more relaxing for the llama.
8. The Neck
The llama’s neck acts as a counterbalance. Watch the llama lying flat on his side as he positions his body to rise. The first motion is a sort of flinging of the neck to gain the momentum to roll up to the sternal position. Llamas that have rigid horizontal necks resulting from spinal injuries are sometimes unable to rise from a prone position without assistance.
The neck and head also act to counterbalance the body on uneven terrain or during fast directional changes. Instant adjustments can be made to the body’s center of gravity by repositioning the neck. This is why a longish and very flexible neck in the working llama is considered desirable.
Show ring judges have determined that the ideal neck is 2/3 the length of the back. We feel that as long as the neck is proportional to the body, all is well. The longer legs that are so desirable on the working llama are best if balanced by a longer neck, and a long-bodied llama needs to be balanced by a long neck.
It has been observed that llamas who move with a very erect neck and head carriage also tend to be short-strided in front, and have short, steep shoulders. The truly athletic llama travels with his head and neck slightly forward - slightly ahead of the vertical.
In Summary:
It must be recognized that the best-conformed llama may not excel on the trail. There are countless factors that go into the makeup of a superior pack animal and not all are apparent on visual inspection. Many deficiencies are not apparent until the animal is put to work. Long-distance mountain packing is the ultimate test of athletic ability and a willing disposition is a key factor. Learning to assess conformation will, however, go a long way towards selecting suitable prospects.
There are llamas in North America with perhaps less than ideal conformation that are highly valued by their owners as packers and trail companions. Many of these animals are valued because of traits that cannot be measured, such as a close bond of trust with their owners, or exceptional dispositions and a will to work. It is not our intention to lessen the importance of such animals.
The wise breeder will be aware of all conformation and behavioral aspects likely to affect a llama’s performance, and plan matings according to such assessments.
A good back will also be relatively A-shaped in cross section – with a spine that is easily felt and a good slope down from each side. Llamas with flat backs in cross-section (from overweight, different muscling or with more curvature to the ribs) are hard to fit with a packsaddle. Girths (cinches) need to be done up very tightly to hold the load in place and this is tiring to the llama. A good back holds a saddle well. One does have to be careful though, to ensure there is ample clearance between the spine and the saddle tree on a sharp-spined llama. A sway back or a roach (slight upward curve) back is undesirable. The sway back tends to be weak in the middle, and saddles tend to slide forward on roach backed llamas.
Hip height and wither height should be relatively equal. It is more common for llamas to be slightly higher in the hips but again, loads have to be well-secured to prevent them from sliding forward over the shoulders. The rare llama with a shoulder higher than the hip is very desirable and seems to carry a pack well with little need for crupper or breeching. Much more relaxing for the llama.
8. The Neck
The llama’s neck acts as a counterbalance. Watch the llama lying flat on his side as he positions his body to rise. The first motion is a sort of flinging of the neck to gain the momentum to roll up to the sternal position. Llamas that have rigid horizontal necks resulting from spinal injuries are sometimes unable to rise from a prone position without assistance.
The neck and head also act to counterbalance the body on uneven terrain or during fast directional changes. Instant adjustments can be made to the body’s center of gravity by repositioning the neck. This is why a longish and very flexible neck in the working llama is considered desirable.
Show ring judges have determined that the ideal neck is 2/3 the length of the back. We feel that as long as the neck is proportional to the body, all is well. The longer legs that are so desirable on the working llama are best if balanced by a longer neck, and a long-bodied llama needs to be balanced by a long neck.
It has been observed that llamas who move with a very erect neck and head carriage also tend to be short-strided in front, and have short, steep shoulders. The truly athletic llama travels with his head and neck slightly forward - slightly ahead of the vertical.
In Summary:
It must be recognized that the best-conformed llama may not excel on the trail. There are countless factors that go into the makeup of a superior pack animal and not all are apparent on visual inspection. Many deficiencies are not apparent until the animal is put to work. Long-distance mountain packing is the ultimate test of athletic ability and a willing disposition is a key factor. Learning to assess conformation will, however, go a long way towards selecting suitable prospects.
There are llamas in North America with perhaps less than ideal conformation that are highly valued by their owners as packers and trail companions. Many of these animals are valued because of traits that cannot be measured, such as a close bond of trust with their owners, or exceptional dispositions and a will to work. It is not our intention to lessen the importance of such animals.
The wise breeder will be aware of all conformation and behavioral aspects likely to affect a llama’s performance, and plan matings according to such assessments.
The yearling female on the left and the two-year-old male on the right are beautifully balanced, athletic youngsters and are excellent examples of the Ccara breed.
