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If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
If you don't rescue ...
DON'T BREED!
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Classic llamas
ready for new homes!
We try hard to match llamas with appropriate
new homes, and won't sell if we are apprehensive about the situation,
or if the llama and prospective owner don't "click."
We certainly won't sell to someone who is in a hurry to purchase
or who wants to buy before learning the basics of llama care
and handling. Finally, because learning about and getting to
know the particular llama is a key ingredient in the future happiness
of both the llama and the new owner, we have no qualms about
weeding out shoppers who aren't interested in the small investment
of prepurchase visits to our farm.
Note: When we say "packer", we mean
just that: A llama capable of multi-day trips carrying at least
60-80 pounds in any type of weather and over any terrain that
a llama can negotiate. If you're only looking for a day-hiking
companion to carry lunches and jackets, most light-duty or limited-duty
packers will probably suffice; if you don't hike or pack right
now, do everyone a favor and just get a pair of well-trained,
older starter llamas. It's perfectly OK to get llamas as pets
and companions just because you like llamas and want some in
your life.
Here's OUR definitions
and categorizations for working pack llamas!
Experienced packers:
Experienced packers have multiple seasons
on the trail and do it all, including stringing and leading a
string. Capable of passing at least PLTA MPL requirements without
conditioning other than proper weight maintenance. Some of these
animals may have MPL or EPL certification depending on our available
time.
Green packers:
Green packers have at least one season on
the trail: more than started, less than experienced. Good for
people with llama experience who don't want to waste a year or
more on the hassles of training trips or risk that an untried
llama won't work out, but also don't want to spend the extra
money for an experienced pack llama. Capable of passing at least
PLTA MPL requirements without conditioning other than proper
weight maintenance (note: none of these animals will have actual
MPL certification).
Started packers and pack prospects:
Although we don't sell totally untrained llamas
for the good of both llama and new owner, we will sell started
packers and, occasionally, pack prospects -- IF the buyer
has adequate knowledge and ability to finish the llama's training.
- All pack prospects and started packers halter,
lead, load, stand tied, tether, allow grooming, and allow their
feet to be picked up.
- Started packers' additional training achievements
vary, of course, but include familiarity with pack saddle and
panniers and at least some trail and obstacle negotiating experience.
Pack breeding stock:
Trail proven (degree of experience varies
with the llamas' age and our time) and without known heritable
concerns or familial history of same. Pack breeding stock is
also either already proven reproductively sound or with a full
reproductive guarantee (which does not include guarantees against
buyer neglect). These animals are capable of passing PLTA MPL
requirements without conditioning other than proper weight maintenance,
but most do not have PLTA certification due to time constraints.
Females are NOT sold "bred" (pregnant)
to new customers, and rarely (exactly once in 25 years now) to
existing ones!
Harness (driving) llamas and harness prospects:
Again, although we don't sell totally untrained
llamas for the good of both llama and new owner, we will sell
harness prospects -- IF the buyer has adequate knowledge
and ability to finish the llama's training.
- All harness prospects halter, lead, load,
stand tied, tether, allow grooming, and allow their feet to be
picked up.
- Additionally, all harness llamas show natural
inclinations specific to being driven successfully, including
a four-beat walk, an inclination towards trotting as a middle
gait (rather than the more common singlefoot and occasional running
pace), and temperament that is unflappable, active, and responsive.
We barely have time to train harness llamas
for our own pleasure, so we almost never have started or finished
harness llamas for sale ... however, it has happened, and we
also know of people who have good harness llamas available and
others who will train and finish a harness prospect for you.
Harness (driving) breeding stock:
Not yet being offered -- such llamas are extremely
rare to begin with, and also make such fine pack breeding stock
that we've retained every one to date.
*** Available pack llamas ***
Although our wash-outs do make it to this
"for sale" page, our breeding stock and trained
pack llamas are generally spoken for well in advance of when
they're actually ready to go. We also maintain a waiting
list, and will place right-of-refusals on the outcomes of specific
breedings on request.
Please contact
us regarding present and future available pack llamas, pack
breeding stock, and harness prospects.
Tell us:
- your location
- your packing (backcountry) experience
- your llama experience
- what you believe you are looking for (based
on the above descriptions)
Even when we don't have any suitable llamas
for your needs, we can often hook you up with what you're looking
for (unless you want it yesterday, think you shouldn't be scrutinized
by the seller, and/or fantasize that llamas are something they
aren't, such as big fluffy instant Lassie or tireless wonder
machines).
*** Available pet/companions and guards ***
(llamas whose career choices or inate natures
cause them to wash out of packing)
Two paternal half-sisters with attitude,
interested in a pastoral career
... like protecting your sheep or goats from dogs, coyotes, and
weirdos.
Finys would actually be interested
in occasional hiking and packing
if your requirements are moderate (up to 5-8 miles, 50-60 pounds),
but of course she can't guard anything if she's out and about.
However, Misty would be quite happy to stay at home and take
care of that part.
A 50% deposit will hold any of the
above animals until pickup or delivery ... AFTER you've been
approved.
PLEASE NOTE: We are in Western
Oregon!
We do NOT sell or place llamas out of our area without substantial
referrals
from people we already know well and trust.
Video footage available on request
to serious shoppers.
Want to read the fine print? Here it is ...
A bit about pricing,
guarantees,
and the "extras" that are STANDARD with our llamas
What we DO and DON'T sell
Ideas for you if we don't have what you're looking
for
Rescue llamas
We've stopped fooling ourselves that we can
keep every llama we meet (although it did take a while). We've
also learned that no matter how much we care for or like a particular
llama, sometimes ours is just not the very best home for him
or her. As part of our rescue work, we occasionally have retired,
rescued, or rehabilitated llamas that need homes of their own.
And, of course, the point behind producing superior pack llamas
in a market flooded with generic llamas is that there IS
a demand for high-performance pack llamas -- a demand that can
only be met with llamas bred for the task. It follows that part
of the choice to breed superior pack llamas includes the choice
to make at least some of them available for sale when they are
mature, trained, and proven.
When we and the llama know the home is right,
our happiness for the llama largely overrides the inevitable
sadness of saying goodbye to a friend.
Return to Lost Creek Llamas
home page
This page last updated on 04.21.2010
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