An Annotated List of
Literature
About or Related to Llamas
Most of the
books listed here that are still in print can be ordered through
your local bookstore; some can also be ordered directly from
the publisher. Some of the llama books, as well as many of the
non-lama books, are available from Amazon.com
and other online booksellers.
Page one: Llama Books
General . . . Medical . . . Poisonous
Plants . . . Training
Llama Packing . ...Driving Llamas in Harness .. Llama Showing . . . Llamas
as Guardians
Alpacas . . . Llama Wool and Fiber Use
Informational Children's Books
. . . Children's Stories . . . Fiction for Older Children
Fiction for Adults . .
. . . . Nonfiction for Adults
Page Two: Llama Videos, Magazines,
Chat Lists, and Organizations
Videos
Lama Magazines and Periodicals
. . . Magazine Articles about Llamas
Llama Chat Lists
National Lama Organizations
THIS PAGE: Useful Nonllama Resources
Health and
Care . . . Performance . . . Biomechanics, Gaits, and Scaling
Hiking and Packing . . . Animal-Assisted Therapy . . . Animal
Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Welfare
Training Philosopy . . . Animal Intelligence and Mental Nature
Companionship . . . Communicating with Animals
Health
and Care Resources
Raising the Home Duck Flock -- Dave Holderread, Garden Way Publishing, ©
1978
Ducks eat slugs and snails, hosts for liver
flukes, thus serving as an effective natural parasite control
in fluke-prone areas. Comprehensive information on domestic duck
husbandry. Includes lists of supplies and sources.
Veterinary Parasitology Reference Manual,
4th edition -- William J. Foreyt,
Washington State University, © 1997
Technical veterinary text with some lama-specific
information. Easier to glean certain practical information than
Georgis' (below), but also considerably less detailed.
Georgis' Parasitology for Veterinarians,
7th edition -- Dwight D. Bowman, WB
Saunders, © 1999
Technical veterinary text. No lama-specific
information, but a veritable treasure-trove if you want to REALLY
learn about parasites and the various drugs and treatments used
against them.
Performance
Resources
The Performance Mare
-- Sharon B. Smith, Howell Book House, © 1993
Excellent discussion of gender-specific traits
(physical, mental, and emotional) in the horse. Most points appear
to be applicable to female llamas.
Carriage Driving -- Heike Bean and Sarah Blanchard, Howell Book House,
© 1992
How best to modify the information and techniques
to suit llamas remains to be seen. The best book available on
driving with emphasis on advancement and proper body use. Covers
training, driver skills, and equipment.
Principles of Conformation Analysis -- Deb Bennett, Fleet Street Publishing Corp, ©
1988, 1989, 1991 (three volumes)
Although these paperbacks are about horse
conformation, the principles of evaluation techniques are similar
for all quadrupeds and are valuable for the beginning stages
of performance evaluation.
Biomechanics,
Scaling, and Gaits (non-lama resources)
How Animals Move
-- James Grey, Cambridge University Press, © 1953
A basic introduction to biomechanics written
before the word was even coined! Some postulations have since
been proven right, others wrong.
Animals in Motion
-- Eadweard Muybridge, Dover, © 1957
A selection of plates from the eleven-volume
work, Animal Locomotion , which was originally published
in 1887 and is still a standard in the field.
How Animals Work
-- Knut Schmidt-Nielsen, Cambridge University Press, © 1972
Particularly concerned with the biomechanics
of heating, cooling, and respiration, and the effects of size
thereon.
The New Dogsteps
-- Rachel Page Elliott, Howell Book House, © 1973
Helpful for beginning to understand gaits,
although the judgements about the individual gaits are less applicable
to llamas due to dogs' more flexible spine. Although a few "traditional"
bits of misinformation find their way into "Dogsteps,"
the book makes up for these with the inclusion of the (then)
cutting edge knowledge gained from cineradiography ("moving
x-rays").
The Lame Horse
-- James R. Rooney, Breakthrough, © 1974
For those interested in practical application
to performance animals, there are two primary issues that drive
them to study biomechanics -- better performance and remaining
sound over time. This book provides excellent insight into many
ways in which the second goal is lost for equines; many points
are directly or indirectly applicable to llamas.
On Size and Life
-- Thomas A. McMahon and John Tyler Bonner, Scientific American,
© 1983
An exploration of scaling [changes in size
and/or proportion] and its consequences to living organisms
Scaling: Why is Animal Size So Important? -- Knut Schmidt-Nielsen, Cambridge University Press,
© 1984
Reasonably accessible dissertations on many
topics related to or affected by scaling. A standard.
Dog Locomotion and Gait Analysis -- Curtis M. Brown, Hoflin, © 1986
A very fine treatise on canine gaits and locomotion,
and a good means to understanding gaits and gait analysis. The
only real flaws are the few times when the author draws "parallels"
between dog breeds and limited representatives of other species
-- for instance, the "llama" (single zoo guanaco) he
describes is atypical and its ancestral habitat is misrepresented
as "narrow mountain trails."
The Restless Kingdom
-- John Cooke, Facts on File, © 1991
A very accessible and well-illustrated work
on the basic issues in biomechanics. Intended for a beginning
audience.
Exploring Biomechanics: Animals in Motion -- R. McNeill Alexander, Scientific American, ©
1992
Similar to "The Restless Kingdom"
, but with more detail. Alexander is one of the leading biomechanics
researchers and authors; this is his most recent, accessible
introductory book.
Anatomy of Domestic Animals -- Chris Pasquini and Tom Spurgeon, Sudz, 6th ed
© 1992
Anatomy text for veterinary students. Very
helpful for comparing anatomy of domestic species. Llamas, unfortunately,
are not yet well-represented.
Horse Gaits, Balance, and Movement -- Susan E.Harris, Howell Book House, © 1993
Although the sections on shoeing and ridden
work are obviously not applicable to llamas, the basic functions
of llamas are more closely related to those of equines than of
any other domestic species. Despite a few traditionalisms (in
which "traditional wisdom" is parrotted rather than
examined carefully), the book is, overall, very valuable.
Cats' Paws and Catapults -- Steven Vogel, W. W. Norton, © 1998
A comparison of human-constructed and naturally-evolved
mechanics, including bountiful examples of why one is often not
directly comparable to the other. This book was intended for
a general audience, so it is very accessible, and in some places,
it's mighty funny reading.
Hiking
and Packing Resources
Soft Paths --
Bruce Hampton and David Cole, Stackpole Books, © 1988
General (nonllama) information on minimizing
impact to the wilderness.
Backcountry Bear Basics -- Dave Smith, The Mountaineers, © 1997
Comprehensive, common-sense guide on how to
keep humans and bears safe from each other.
Mountain Lion Alert
-- Steven Torres, Falcon, © 1997
Only book on the topic in print; does mention
llamas (but not in a very encouraging light!).
Animal-Assisted
Therapy
Volunteering with Your Pet -- Mary R. Burch, PhD, Howell Book House, ©
1996
Excellent presentation of all aspects of animals-assisted
therapy and animal-assisted activities. Although the short section
on llamas is unfortunately neither entirely accurate nor complete,
the book is still a valuable reference.
Animal
Rescue, Rehabilitation and Welfare
Bandit: Dossier of a Dangerous Dog -- Vicki Hearne, HarperPerennial, © 1991
Rehabilitation takes a huge time, energy,
and intellectual commitment; many people fantasize they can accomplish
rehab quickly through "love and kindness." This true
account of the author's rehabilitation of a "pit bull"
who was otherwise sentenced to death provides insight into that
massive commitment -- and the highly-motivated, insightful people
who chose to attempt this largely thankless job.
Lost and Found
-- Elizabeth Hess, Harcourt Brace, © 1998
If you are involved in animal rescue, relocation,
or rehabilitation and feel overwhelmed or alone, this well-written
book will help you realize that you definitely have company.
If you have no involvement in hands-on individual animal welfare,
this book could open your eyes in many ways.
Emergency Animal Rescue Stories -- Terri Crisp, Prima Publishing, © 2000
Interested in helping or rescuing animals
from disasters? This book will give you both tremendous insight
into the varied tasks involved and also provide excellent contacts
for you to pursue training so that you, too, may help.
General
Training Philosophy
The Art of Horsemanship -- Xenophon, J. A. Allen and Co, © 1962 (original
translation pub. 1894; text circa 200 BC)
Historical interest. Many modern methods claim
to part company with a mythical "universal tradition"
of using harshness and rough means to "break" animals.
Xenophon's kind and sensible philosophies have had a steady stream
of followers, and many like-minded trainers no doubt preceeded
him -- he was merely the first to put it into print.
My Horses, My Teachers -- Alois Podhalsky, Trafalgar Square Publishing, ©
1967 (English translation © 1968)
Autobiographical stories of the many horses
-- both talented and challenging -- that the successful author
worked with throughout his life. His time-honored, proven philosophies
(gentleness, adequate preparation, and time) shine through the
story lines.
Lyons on Horses --
John Lyons, Doubleday, © 1991
Written by a currently active horse clinician.
Many aspects of his relatively well-balanced approach can be
applied to llamas, particularly the groundwork.
Considering the Horse -- Mark Rashid, Johnson Books, © 1993
An enjoyable, thought-provoking, easy-to-read
collection of stories from the author's experience training horses.
A good vehicle for learning to think like a trainer.
A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color -- Mark Rashid, Johnson Books, © 1996
Essentially a continuation of the author's
first book, Considering the Horse.
Finding the Magic --
Dan Sumerel, self-published, © 2000
The grammar and punctuation are absolutely
terrible. If you can get past these barriers, you'll find some
enjoyable stories and insightful observations, and also a very
effective "core" technique to working with horses specifically.
The basic concepts can be applied to llamas, although the techniques
and expectations require significant llama-specific modifications
to be used successfully.
Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse -- Mark Rashid, Johnson Books, © 2003
Mark Rashid proves his mettle by humbly reporting
what happened when he became a student, letting a horse teach
him after he'd already progressed to a point most people would
consider both "highly successful" and "at the
top." Numerous introspective gems for all who aspire to
teach and train animals.
Animal
Intelligence and Mental Nature
Adam's Task -- Calling Animals by Name -- Vicki Hearne, Vintage Books, © 1982
Very difficult to read (Vicki Hearne is a
philosopher when she's not training problem animals), but worth
the effort to gain a better understanding of communication.
Animal Minds --
Donald R. Griffin, University of Chicago Press, © 1992
A review of current research, observations,
and thought on the largely intangible subject of conciousness
and thought in nonhuman animals.
The Intelligence of Dogs -- Stanley Coren, Free Press, © 1994
Although this book addresses canines, the
discussions of types of intelligence and what those abilities
actually mean within human-animal relationships are pertinent
to all species.
Kanzi -- the ape at the brink of the human
mind -- Sue Savage-Rumbaugh and Roger
Lewin, John Wiley & Sons, © 1994
The fascinating true account of Kanzi, a bonobo
at a research facility, who has succeeded in communicating with
human devices and under human-specified conditions.
When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives
of Animals -- Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
and Susan McCarthy, Delacorte Press, © 1995
An eye-opening (or re-affirming) volume on
what animals emotions are capable of and how they have been historically
denied written from a primarily observational, scientific viewpoint.
Animal Happiness
-- Vicki Hearne, HarperPerennial, © 1995
Easier to read than Adam's Task (above),
but easier to understand in context after you have read her previous
book.
Companionship
Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing -- Allen M. Schoen DVM and Pam Procter, Simon and
Schuster, © 1995
Experiences of unusual healings and application
of complimentary medicine from the author's veterinary practice.
Animals as Teachers and Healers -- Susan Chernak McElroy, NewSage Press, © 1996
A collection of stories about the important
roles animal compaions have played in the lives of humans.
Modoc -- Ralph
Helfer, HarperCollins, © 1997
Subtitled "the true story of the greatest
elephant that ever lived," and you will no doubt agree;
a moving tale of a very intelligent elephant and her lifelong
handler.
Communicating
with Animals
What the Animals Tell Me -- Beatrice Lydecker, Harper & Row, © 1977
The author's personal experiences exploring
telepathic communication with animals, including information,
techniques and principles she derived from her work.
Stories the Animals Tell Me -- Beatrice Lydecker, Harper & Row, © ?
Stories and communications with animals.
Animal Talk: Interspecies Telepathic Communication -- Penelope Smith, Pegasus Publications, © 1982,
1989
Outlines the author's method for telepathic
communication with animals
Animals...our return to wholeness -- Penelope Smith, Pegasus Publications, © 1993
The author's viewpoints and experiences, as
well as experiences of others, of living with, communicating
with, teaching, and counseling animals-including llamas. Not
for the philosophically inflexible.
Animal Wisdom: Communications with Animals
-- Anita Curtis, © 1996
Stories and communications with animals.
Communicating with Animals -- Arthur Myers, Contemporary Books, © 1997
An extensive review of the many facets of
telepathic communication by a nonpracticer; numerous interviews
What the Animals Tell Me -- Sonya Fitzpatrick, Hyperion, © 1997
The author's journey from communicative child
to "normal" (tuned-out) adulthood, her rediscovery
of communication skills, and eventual professional involvement.
Sonya is "The Pet Psychic" on Animal Planet (television
network).
Conversations with Animals -- Lydia Hiby, New Sage Press, © 1998
Gwen finds this one to most closely reflect
her own experiences.
This annotated list is
not intended to be complete and comprehensive. Inclusion does
not constitute endorsement; exclusion is not a criticism.
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