Ever Consider Driving?
by Niki Kuklenski

Driving is a passion and an addition as anyone who has experienced riving will tell you. There is nothing quite like driving on the open road with your llama. You will notice things that you have never seen before, even though you may have driven past hem 100 times in your car. By far the biggest benefit of driving is the great condition it puts your animals in.

I have a male who I have been driving for eight years. During that time he has never been fat and has always been in supreme condition for any activity he does. While I know some of it is a result of his genetics, some is because of the exercise he has had for years in the cart.

While at the LANA conference one year, I entered the pack trial there. With everything going on, I didn’t do the normal pack conditioning I do for my animals prior. No only did he complete the master division, he was the only one that did. Later that day he led the parade downtown with two people in the cart and was still going strong!

I truly believe that regular driving can condition your pack animals on the off season and keep them healthier much longer. Many of us know Gwen’s Ranger Dusty who is now age 20 and still avidly working. Jim Logan’s Apollo One is still doing well at age 20 also. I believe part of this is because of their physical strength from driving.

Driving also can help to keep weight off animals. Be getting regular exercise, it helps to maintain a healthy overall condition instead of just during packing season. It is also something that you can do without having to hike yourself. During years past, I have tied other packers behind my cart with their packs on to condition multiple animals. Extreme caution should be used when doing something like this, but if you know your animals behaviors it is an option.

As a youngster my driving llama had chronic foot rot. When he began driving at age three, the problem was eliminated. Out of curiosity, I talked to a fellow driver who confirmed that he consistent driving on pavement toughens their pads. To this day at age eleven, my animal has not had a problem again with foot fungus on his pads. Driving also wears down the nails and keeps them in good shape. When I was driving regularly, I didn’t have to do my animals’ nails for years.

The benefits and fun derived from driving are endless. Hopefully this has given you a brief insight into the wonderful world of driving.

Reprinted from The Backcountry Llama, Vol. 16 No 1 Winter 2006