Humming Herald Spring 2015

South Central Llama Association

Spring 2015

• Number 98

Spring 2015 Contents General Interest A quarterly publication of the South Central Llama Association.

www.scla.us/scla.html

SCLA OFFICERS (Term 09/2011- 09/2014)

President: Sean Price • 281-830-2368 • figranch@flash.net Vice President: Bill Simpson •(409) 625-0309 OR (972) 978-6229 • N5YA@N5YA.com Secretary: Adryce Mathisen, •682) 551-7799 (cell); (817) 866-4368 • adryce@att.net Treasurer: Bob Lyons • 210-497-3151 • boblyons1@satx.rr.com

REGIONAL DIRECTORS

Region One: (Area codes: 210-361-512-737-830-956) No director at this time Region Two: (Area cades: 214-405-430-469-479-501-580903-918-972) Bob Carroll (903) 229-8029(Term: 9/2013-9/2016) rcranch1@yahoo.com Region Three: (Area codes:254-325-432-682-817 806-940-915-505) Deborah Ignacio (09/2012- 09/2015) 817-454-8882 deborah.ignacio@yahoo.com Region Four: (Area codes: 281-318-346-409-504-713832-936-979-985) Trisha McKaskle (281) 414-3584 (Term: 9/2013 - 9/2016) hitekllama@aol.com

Love Thy Llama................................................................................................... 8 A Human “Being” Reinforcing...................................................................... 10

What Do I Do With All These Beans?...............................................................14 Jim Graham Youth Scholarship.........................................................................17 Hemorrhagic Disease In Llamas.......................................................................19 Llama Weight Chart..............................................................................................24 He’s Driving Me.......................................................................................................25 How Do We Make A Baby Llama or Alpaca a Responsible Citizen? . ..28 Triage On The Farm.....................................................................................................30 Owner Receives Help from Network of Volunteers...................................36 Ask the CSU Vet Team...........................................................................................39 State Fair Of Texas Show Results......................................................................43 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show...........................................46 San Angelo Llama Show Results......................................................................49

Always Inside President’s Statement............................................................................................4 .

Editor’s Note..............................................................................................................5 New Members........................................................................................................... 6 Dates Ahead.............................................................................................................. 6 SCLA Library............................................................................................................55 SCLA Membership Form.....................................................................................58

Director-At-Large: Jim Doyle (Term: 9/2011 - 9/2014) 940-482-3192: cell 940-391-1862 JDoyle@marikollamas.com

SCLA COMMITTEES

Activities.................................................... No chair at this time Membership..............................................................Karen Conyngham Nomination . ............................Marcie Saska-Agnew-chairperson Property.....................................................................Sean Price Fund Raising..................................................................... Open Youth................................................................ Christie Stewart Finance - Budget..............................Bob Lyons • Dan Johnson Librarian.............................................................Barbara Welch Conference................................................ No chair at this time National Lama Intervention & Rescue Coordination Council Scholarship........................................ .........Mary Nell Doyle - Chair .............................Susan Boblyanski, Adryce Mathisen, Brenda Gilmore SCLA Booth............................................... No chair at this time Web site......................................................... Sharon Bramblett By-Laws.............................................................Jim Doyle, Bev Johnson

SHOWS - Thanks For Volunteering Your Time!

Teresa Brruening..........................................State Fair of Texas-Dallas Jim Doyle............................Southwestern Livestock and Rodeo-Fort Worth Stephanie Clark.........................................West Texas Fair & Rodeo-Abilene Di Collins..........................................................San Angelo Livestock Show- San Angelo Trisha McKaskle...........................................Houston Livestock Show

EDITOR/DESIGN/LAYOUT

Ruby Herron 17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress, TX 77433 713-249-8523 • HummingHerald@FigmentRanch.com

Snow Photos by Katrina Petteys Capasso The views expressed herein are those of the authors. Before undertaking any new regime with your llamas, you should always consult with your veterinarian. Only they can tell you what is best for your situation. We invite submission for unpaid articles and photographs.

Email to HummingHerald@FigmentRanch.com or mail to: Ruby Herron, c/o Humming Herald,17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress,Tx., 77433

Ginger Brown, Longtime SCLA Member, Passes

By Karen Conyngham I was stunned to receive word on Monday Jan. 5, 2015 that our friend and longtime SCLA member Ginger Brown of Wellborn, TX had passed away unexpectedly at age 66. There was no service or visitation hours. A native of Oklahoma but long-time Texas resident, Ginger joined SCLA in 1989 after seeing llamas at the Houston llama show. She moved from Texas City to Wellborn, just south of College Station, and raised llamas on her small ranch. Ginger was single but handled all the work around the ranch herself, including growing her own hay (she did contract out cutting and baling!). She worked for Texas A&M University as the Environmental Health and Safety officer until her retirement several years ago.

Ginger was SCLA librarian for several years in the early 1990s. She also worked closely with the A&M vet school to have the university host two Herd Health Day events which were very popular with our membership. Jim and I always took our 2 llama boys to the A&M Vet School Annual Open House held each spring and Ginger brought one of her llamas as well on several occasions. Even when she could not bring a llama, she still came to help us answer questions for the day.

It was a privilege to know Ginger and be her friend. I'm sure all SCLA members who knew her will also miss her. Her remaining llamas are now living with a friend of hers in College Station.

Ginger made this designation for her llamas in her will. Are your animals provided for in the event of your death?

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

President’s Statement

Sean Price, President

I wanted to start my letter to you by asking each of you for some help.

Our South Central Llama Association, SCLA, is not getting the membership renewals like we need.

In order to keep our local SCLA going, we need your support!

Please reach out to all of your llama friends even if they are no longer involved with showing, or their kids are grown and out of the house.

Remember, membership is only $40.00 which will go a long way to help educate the public and keeps our llama industry thriving.

Unless we get this support,

our organization will not be here.

One of the benefits of joining the SCLA is helping the llama industry and the llamas! Llamas don’t have a voice for themselves, but they give so much pleasure to people. Please help!

Other benefits of membership in SCLA includes the right to run for office, the right to vote, a copy of the Humming Herald, (the SCLA newsletter), the right to use the SCLA obstacle trailer, being updated by email on many of the current events in the llama industry, youth eligibility for the Jim Graham Memorial Scholarship, and access to the SCLA library.

I also wanted to make sure that each of you is aware that I am here for you. If you have any concerns or suggestions for SCLA, feel free to contact me.

I hope you see you soon.

Sean 281-830-2368 sean@figmentranch.com

Editor’s Note





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New Members Nov 10, 2014 - February 4, 2015 November 10, 2014 - February 4, 2015 Compiled by Karen Conyngham, Membership Secretary.

Current member information is always available on the SCLA web site: http://www.scla.us SCLA Address: PO Box 163654, Austin, TX 78716

New Members: Clark-Maynard, Melissa Mullein Hill Ranch 2266 Hwy. 39 Hunt, TX 78024-3409 (512) 689-4982 melissacm@earthlink.net Diane Neumann Ridgeview Acres 3809 Watersridge Circle Cleburne, TX 76031-0758 (817) 933-3878 xtaba77@gmail.com Member Contact Updates: New address only: Terri Madison-Theriault Leon River Llamas 52 Acuff Lane Santo, TX 76472-1200

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Dates Ahead March 19 - 22, 2015 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Entry Deadline : Feb.5 Late Entry Deadline: Feb 15 Entry forms available at rodeohouston.com by Nov. 1 All entries must be sumitted on the paper forms Superintendent: Danette Mars hdmccleary@sbcglobal.net livestock@rodeohouston.com 832-667-1125 ----------------------------------------------------------------May 02, 2015 Oklahoma Heartland Youth Llama Show Show Contact: Joy Swihart swihart@pldi.net Pat Bodkin 405-387-9413 220 N. Country Club Rd., Canadian County 4HBarn El Reno, OK 73036 Judge: TBA Show Info: http://www.alsashow.org/2015 Oklahoma Heartland Youth Show.pdf

Classes at the San Angelo Show

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Reprinted with permission of the author and the editor of the New Mexico Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Enchantment Magazine, January 2015. Further reprinting is not allowed without the permission of the author, Karen Boehler of Roswell, NM.

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A Human “Being” Reinforcing

By Marty McGee Bennett

In our westernized world camelids are expected to straddle the line between companion animals and livestock. It can be an uneasy combination for both human and animal. However with the right approach, pet owners, hobby fiber farmers AND serious breeders can live with and market animals that are polite, interested in and comfortable around people.

Too often camelid behavior is at the far end of the spectrum - llamas and alpacas behave like a frightened deer or obnoxious dogs, but nothing in between.

New owners treat their new charges like petting zoo residents and create the same problematic behaviors that we see in these establishments and hand feeding is unjustly blamed as the problem. On the other hand, owners of larger commercial herds think that their large numbers make it too difficult to raise animals that are approachable and easy to handle. The key to both challenges is in understanding the implications of reinforcement.

In your everyday language consequences are often thought of a negative...if you do something wrong, you will “suffer the consequences”. From a scientific standpoint the word consequence is more general and without judgment. The scientific definition of the term consequence is: an event that influences the future strength of the behavior it immediately follows.

Reinforcement then becomes the process of providing a consequence that maintains or increases the behavior it follows. It is that simple and in practice can be extraordinarily confounding. When it comes to humans interacting with animals the chain of behavior - both human and animal is always occurring - like water out of a fire hose. It can be difficult to tease out a single behavior and its reinforcing consequence. Understanding 10

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

the relationship between behavior and consequences is empowering and absolutely worth the effort. Add to that keen powers of observation and good timing and you are on the way.

If your aim is to influence behavior by providing reinforcing consequences to those behaviors you like, then understanding what your animals want is a key part of the equation. Your definition of what might be desirable is irrelevant. Your animals will work - that is to perform behaviors - for something THEY want.

The very first order of business is to figure out what camelids want. New camelid owners bring with them their previous animal experience which has often been with dogs and they mistakenly believe that the same reinforcing consequences are in effect.

Dogs commonly behave to receive human

contact and attention, with few exceptions camelids do not. Camelids are motivated by having the freedom to move immediately away from any situation they perceive as threatening or frightening. As prey animals that rely on an ability to run, an escape route is paramount and restraint is abhorrent. In experiments with rats, scientists have discovered that when a rat is in a vulnerable situation and is offered an escape, there is a release of dopamine. Every type of reinforcer that has been studied increases the level of dopamine in the brain. I believe that I can say without argument that any one who owns camelids wants them to be calm in as many different situations as possible. I am not aware of any scientific studies in camelids, but my personal experience over the years has taught me that when working with camelids, standing in a way that provides an escape route or even the illusion of one is reinforcing for calm behaviors.

if not only, way to deal with a fighting animal is to hold on tighter. Even if you could wrestle an alpaca or llama to a stand still without incident and without question every single time (unlikely), this approach does irreparable harm to any relationship of trust that you might like to create. Camelids handled this way tend to get harder to manage over time and there is an alternative.

Using balancing techniques to help an animal stand still rather than using restraint is likewise reinforcing for calm behavior. An animal in balance, that means carrying his weight equally on all four feet, is more in control of his body and feels safer. Animals that run for a living do NOT want to fall down. When it comes to handling, in particular desensitization, the TTouch is a wonderful addition to the tool box. TTouch is safe AND pleasurable offering a double benefit. We can desensitize and provide positive reinforcement a the same time.

If you want to try reinforcing for calm behaviors by offering an escape route, try this. Choose an animal that is usually flighty and nervous. Put this animal, along with at least one more, into a catch pen (9 x 9 feet square is ideal). Enter the pen, turn and look at your designated camelid and immediately move to a position in the pen behind the camelid’s eye, with your body canted away from the animal. As the animal moves, you move too. Maintain the same position behind the eye relative to the animal. Remember, to pay attention to how you are holding your shoulders.

Facing your body toward the animal is the same as herding and will cause the animal to move and is very different than creating an escape route. What you will find a you continue to provide an escape route is that the camelid that had been rushing around the pen will become calmer - will slow down and ultimately stop.

Giving an animal an escape route is reinforcing for calm behavior.

When it comes to working hands on with your llamas or alpacas, how do you react when your animal attempts to get away? Most people believe that the best,

Packing animals in a small pen for purposes of management chores is a good alternative to physical restraint. The presence of the other animals is calming in an of itself and the additional bodies in a small space serve to keep the animal still making the balancing techniques I will describe easier. To balance an animal instead of holding him I use a very short checking technique that I call preempting. Whether the animal is on a lead rope, your arms around the animal’s neck or you are holding the halter, balancing is accomplished by using early small checks and releases. As soon as you feel the very beginning of any movement, respond by stopping the movement quickly and immediately, releasing the tension in your hands or arms without letting the animal go. Because you are acting when the movement first begins, it will be a smaller movement without momentum and therefor a more manageable movement. Because you are stopping the animal’s attempt to escape quickly AND releasing your hold, the animal will respond to your release by relaxing. In this way you are reinforcing calm behavior.

Preempting movement is a technique that requires 11

practice. It requires that you “listen” with your body and feel the early indications that an animal is getting ready to move. Preempting movement is easier to do in a confined area such as a catch pen, or if your animal is on a lead, in a small paddock or lane way. Once you become proficient with the technique, you can make it work in more challenging circumstances.

I have not yet mentioned food reinforcers. If you want to use food as a reinforcer, the trick is to find something that your animals want and that you can control. You will have more motivated students if your camelids are dry lotted. Alternatively you can work with food reinforcers when grazing is unavailable.

Many trainers are opposed to the use of food reinforcers. These trainers insist that using treats is some how cheating or that using food will create a cookie monster that will become unmanageable. I disagree with this point of view. Used properly, food is an effective and useful reinforcer. Hand feeding can be problematic, but for different reasons: 1 - fearful camelids (and there are a lot of these) often won’t eat food offered by humans. The way forward with fearful animals is to use the alternative reinforcers I mentioned earlier in this article. Once these animals are calmer and more trusting, food reinforcers become an option. 2 - owners used food in a way that reinforces the wrong behavior.

To be successful using food reinforcers a trainer/owner must first be in control of the food. The animal never gets food by pushing into my personal space and trying to take the food. Timing the delivery of the food and the placement of the food as it is delivered is also crucially important to the success of using food. I use a closable pouch to store the food and offer it in a small dish. The presence of the pouch and the dish become the cue that there is an opportunity for food reinforcement. When I am not wearing the pouch, the animals have no expectation of being “hand” fed and won’t continually pester me for food. I extend the food in the dish away from my body. In this way as I 12

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

reinforce for a particular behavior, I am also teaching the animal to remain at a respectful distance.

Llamas and alpacas figure out every quickly that they can earn the food by offering behaviors. At this stage food motivated animals will simply work harder at offering behaviors than trying to steal food.

When working with shyer animals, extending the food away from your body and offering it in a dish has the effect of making the food safer to accept. This makes the pouch/dish system a better fit for both shy animals and more exuberant eaters.

Event marker training, commonly known as clicker training, is a great way to use food reinforcers.

This style of training pairs a specific sound (can be a click, a verbal marker, or hand signal) with the subsequent guaranteed delivery of a food reinforcer. Using an event marker allows the trainer to be more precise and provides a bit more time (usually 1-3 seconds) to deliver the food. In this way, event marker training is more flexible and can be used for reinforcing behaviors that occur at some distance from the trainer.

The laws of behavior that include reinforcement and consequences are at work in our world just like the laws of physics. Use these laws to your advantage or don’t - they are still in operation. Animals are very keen observers of our behavior. Everyone who looks after lamas for any length of time understands how canny they are at figuring out what is going to happen next. Alpacas and llamas know that your intention is different if you are carrying a wine glass or carrying a alter. They know if you are late and in a hurry to leave for a show or that you are pretending that you have food in the feed bucket. It only makes sense to know as much about their behavior as they do about ours!

Reprinted from Llama Living, newsletter of the Michigan Lama Assoc. Vol 19, #4, December 2014.

You want me to guard what!

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Barn Yarns

What Do I Do With All These Beans?

By Marc Page

system. Remember to always leave a shovel full of beans as a target to insure that they continue to use the same location. Sometimes llamas will start a pile in an inconvenient location such as the entrance to a barn or along the walkway to a gate.

You can help a new owner establish where a good place would be for a poop pile by using a coffee can full of their beans to seed the area where you would like them to visit. I find this works well most of the time. Llamas can also be conditioned to not soil in the barn by using a product called Sweet PDZ, available at most feed and grain stores and also Tractor Supply.

It is good management practice to remove manure from pastures and keep them as clean as possible, many new owners ask just what do we do with it all and how we can best use its nutrients.

It's very nice of our llamas to place their poop in easy to clean up piles. How we remove it is up to us. UsÂŹing a rake or a shovel and a wheelbarrow is probably the most common; however depending on the numÂŹber of llamas you have one may use a tractor or some elaborate vacuum 14

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

I always dump all fresh beans in a pile against a stone wall outside the pasture. I turn the pile over once a month with my tractor. This pile is covered with a black poly tarp which helps hold in the heat as the pile composts.

After this pile is one year old, I start a new pile nearby. All new beans now go into this pile. I continue to turn over each pile once a month. If you wish to hasten the composting process you can add earthworms. You can have a box of 1000 night crawlers delivered right to your door. Google bait dealers in your area to get started. By the end of year two the oldest pile

will have turned into a rich dark soil that can then be turned into your garden beds. We garden in raised beds and enrich our soil each fall, turning it over the depth of a garden shovel. Less seasoned manure can always be used to top dress vegetable and perennial beds, just broadcast over the area and let the goodness work into the soil with each rain or snow storm.

There are also other ways to reduce the amount of maÂŹnure build up. If you sell your product to the public, be aware that if you advertise it as fertilizer many states will require that you test it regularly to insure it meets the standards to be

classified as a fertilizer. Better to call it a soil improver, or composted manure.

When we had more llamas, we used to sell it, now with fewer animals we find the barter system is the way to go. We leave grain bags and baling twine on a big rock near the piles. We have many regulars who know to help themselves.

Often we will come home and find the pile a little bit smaller and there might be fresh produce or perhaps a bottle of scotch left in its place.

Reprinted from The GALA Newsletter, published by the Greater Appalachian Llama & Alpaca Assoc.; vol 31, #4, November 2014.

Sub - Junior class at the 2015 San Angelo Llama Show.

Rayce Wesley, Daniel Schaefer, Donick Mobley, Kendale Pharis-Quick, David Rierson and Bryson Andruss

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YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION North West Camelid Foundation Conference March 7, 2015

Education Conference 8:30-5:00

Magruder Hall at the Vet College on Campus Featured Speakers Dr. Julie Dechant, University of California Dr. Ahmed Tibery, Washington State University Eliza Trickett, NW Representative, Mazuri Feed Eric Hoffman, Bonny Doon Alpacas, Santa Cruz, CA

Reception Fundraiser for Research 5:30-9:30 Magruder Hall Lobby at the Vet College on Campus

Food, Fun and Fundraising Reception: Featured Presentation Dr. Chris Cebra, OSU Endowed Professor of Camelid Medicine "OSU Camelid Medicine and Research-A 25 Year Retrospective" For Class Schedule, Topics and Registration

www.nwcamelidfoundation.org Come enjoy fun, food and friendship!

THANK YOU MAZURI FEED FOR YOUR $1,000 SPONSORSHIP 16

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Jim Graham Youth Scholarship The current guidelines for the Jim Graham Youth Scholarship allow $500.00 per semester (2 semesters running concurrently) for a total value of $1,000.00.

Jim Graham Youth Scholarship: Application Process 1.

2.

3.

The applicant must be a high school senior (or just graduated in the current calendar year) The applicant must be a current associate youth member of SCLA or their immediate family (parent) must be a current adult member of SCLA. The written application submittal before July 12 of each calendar year must include: A: A written one-page essay describing their background with lamas, where they plan to attend college and their anticipated degree program.

B: A self-photograph.

C: A photocopy of their high school transcript.

D: Two (2) letters of recommendation from teachers, community leaders or club sponsors.

Letters of recommendation may be mailed separately but all parts of the application must be received by the deadline date. The mailing address for all required parts of the application is: SCLA Jim Graham Youth Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 163654 Austin, Texas 78716-3654

The winner of the scholarship will be announced in the fall issue of the Humming Herald.

Jim Graham Youth Scholarship: Winner 1. Provide the SCLA treasurer and the SCLA scholarship committee chairman your choice institution information. Web site: http://www.scla.us will provide the contact data for the treasurer and scholarship committee under "SCLA Info".

2. All monies will be sent to the registrar (financial aid office) of the college chosen.

3. The awarded winner must provide a copy of their grades to the SCLA scholarship committee chairman and the SCLA treasurer at the end of the first semester. This action will verity a passing average is being maintained in order to qualify for the second semester award.

4. The recipient must be a current member of SCLA or their immediate family (parent) must be a current adult member of SCLA for the duration of the scholarship. Current membership will be verified.

SCLA dues are payable on or before January 31 st of each year.

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Christmas Eve Vet Visit

Crystal(left) (left) and and Mandy Conyngham (right)(right) enjoy aenjoy visit with Medical Records specialist Tracey Crystal Mandy Conyngham a visit with Medical Records specialist at the Sunset Canyon Veterinary Clinic on Christmas Eve 2014 morning. The llama girls are quite Tracey at the Veterinary Clinic on this Christmas Eveand 2014 morning.

The llama interested whenSunset they firstCanyon see Tracey's holiday headband, year elf ears cap.

We always take are the llamas for their annual physical that day since the clinic usually is this not too girls quite ininterested when they and firstshots see Tracey's holiday headband, year elf ears busy.

Not so this year we got the last parking place in the lot! and cap. We always take the llamas in for their annual physical and shots that day since the clinic usually is not too busy. Not so this year - we got the last parking place in the lot!

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Nov 2013

Hemorrhagic Disease in Llamas – the Silent Killer.

Those of us involved in the llama community and pack with llamas have an appreciation of what llamas are capable of and what they can do for us. At the very least there is an appreciation of the fact that were it not for them, we’d likely be enjoying the great outdoors much less than we do. If done right, the llamas get considerable enjoyment out of it too. This mutual enjoyment relies greatly on the relationships cultivated between human and camelid hiking companions. Some relationships are casual and while the llamas will do the work asked of them they may really have a take-it-or-leave-it attitude to accompanying us and if given the choice would be just as content to stay home. Such is not always the case.

My first pack llama was Peppercorn, an ILR registered intact male. Whenever I started our modified 17 passenger van he would run to the gate anxious to go someplace. If he saw me approach the pasture with his halter and lead he would run to meet me and all I had to do was hold it out and he would shove his nose in, excited to go somewhere or do something. All I then had to do was open the gate, open the van doors, and he would jump in ready to go. Being a speed freak, loving to run as fast as he could just for sport, even the ride itself was great fun – so much so he wouldn’t ever cush. It would be rather unwise for me to roll down a window if the barrier net was not up to keep him confined in the rear as he would stretch his neck out the window like a dog, enjoying the wind in his face. This could be a little distracting to other motorists. The driver’s window could be especially problematic as a 310 pound drooling lap llama is really not all that cuddly. Absent an open window, he’d have his face in the windshield taking it all in – hence, the barrier for safety reasons.

Peppercorn became our Boy Scout patrol mascot – yes, the llama patrol (with llama badges to prove it). He accompanied us on camping/hiking trips and would stick with the boys wherever

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we went, taking care to keep track of where everyone was so nobody would be left behind. In camp he would hang out, explore, keep watch, and we would all have a wonderful time as one big happy herd.

This was in my early and less informed days of llamas and we unknowingly had a severe and invisible endophyte problem on our newly acquired ranch. Receiving the heaviest exposure it took its toll on Peppercorn’s body and his health deteriorated – aging at an accelerated pace and having to be retired at an early age. Although I didn’t have him necropsied when he passed away a few years later, his gaunt appearance and rapid weight loss despite a rich diet had me suspecting he was succumbing to cancer. Sadly, there was nothing I could do to undo the damage once I figured out and remedied the endophyte problem. All I could do was make him as comfortable as possible.

We are a rescue ranch and are not actively breeding, but partly out of a desire to perpetuate what I could of Peppercorn I bred him to one of our special girls, our ranch poster-llama and driver Morning Sunshine, who clearly had a particular fondness for him and he for her. From that pairing we received a 35 pound chip off the old block, King Asher. Possessing Peppercorn’s disposition and growing into a tall, 380 pound strapping adolescent (pictured above), he assumed the lead pack duties. Sharing his sire’s love for adventure he was a joy to take on pack trips, also sticking with me wherever the trail took us. Well… with one exception. Once he was casually grazing in camp and it so happened he was behind a bush when nature called and I walked up the trail a short ways for a potty break, not thinking to make sure he saw where I was going (usually they don’t miss a thing). He didn’t notice me leave, but suddenly realized I was gone. Fearing I had left him behind, he took off back down the trail. I returned to discover him absent. Not having seen him go up the trail, I trotted down the forested trail and called him. Coming around a bend a short distance away I looked to my right to see him about fifty yards up a smooth steep rock hill, standing on the peak I assume to search all around for me. I’m sure he heard me calling him and approaching, but rather than hastily coming back down to rejoin me he instead just stood there looking at me like, why did you do that?! Yes, that was terribly inconsiderate of me. I had to call him down a couple of times before he accepted my apology and followed me back to camp.

Like our herd Matriarch, Dazy May, King Asher played a big part in my realization and appreciation of just how smart and emotional llamas can be, and is felt especially keenly once a close friendship and bond is cultivated. I’ve written of some of these flashes of insight in the past, posting the particularly humorous events on our website. It’s frequently noted how llamas can learn complex skills on their own, often simply through observation, such as opening gate latches, but the stories I have related reveal the more sophisticated abstract thinking and problem solving they can exhibit. This includes Dazy’s incredibly clever way to permanently solve the treat-robber dilemma. http://www.rattlesnakeridgeranch.com/dazy.htm Sadly, the end of July Dazy May suddenly developed diarrhea with no parasites or coccidia indicated in fecal exam. I treated the symptom with kaolin+pectin thinking it was maybe just an upset tummy from something she ate. We left the following day for our annual rendezvous and she was found dead the next morning by a ranch hand, so no necropsy was performed as we had planned upon her demise due to her unique medical history, leaving us with an unresolved long

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

running mystery. At age 23 we attributed the death to old age and mourned her loss, ignorant of what was to follow.

Life went on as it must, as hectic as ever…

King Asher displayed a knack for finding common ground with others he especially liked. “Llama or Dog” is an example, telling of his reaching out to a particular canine of ours. At the same time he was not one to hold back on his feelings if slighted. “Gone Ape” tells of his stunningly creative way of getting my attention when he felt I was neglecting him during a vehicle breakdown. http://www.rattlesnakeridgeranch.com/asher.htm While King Asher and I made many enjoyable excursions together, receiving his Master Pack Llama certification from the Pack Llama Trial Association along the way, I continually felt that we were both being shortchanged. My jobs typically don’t allow me to get away more than a couple of times each summer, having to put in long hours in between those few breaks. Each year I vow to get out more the next, but so far it’s just not happened.

This became especially poignant and regretful one day in September, about a month after Dazy’s demise. A typical Sunday afternoon found most of the girls and King Asher parked in front of their respective fans, keeping cool and seeking refuge from the pesky houseflies that had become more numerous of late. I thought it a little unusual for Asher to be cushed in front of his fan as he doesn't typically do that even on a hot day, but figured it was the flies. I checked on him a little while later just to be sure and found he was still there. That's really not Asher. He doesn't ever stay in one spot for long, always staying active during the day. I went up to him and very gently encouraged him to get up but he wouldn't. He had no interest in food. Despite his normal appearance in the morning, something was now seriously wrong. I began taking vitals while Gayle contacted the local vet for an emergency farm call. I ran a quick fecal analysis and found nothing. Temperature was normal but respiration seemed a little strained. He didn't feel bloated.

The vet headed our way as soon as the call was made and arrived in about a half hour. Blood chemistry was essentially normal. Asher began mouth breathing at times. Choke was suspect so the throat was inspected and a tube inserted with nothing evident. Meanwhile, a vicious thunderstorm was passing directly overhead. It got dark and suddenly 80mph winds and torrential rain erupted. Lighting was striking nearby all around us from the clouds straight to the ground, with bright flashes and thunderous booms. One of our 60' tall willow trees came crashing to the ground, uprooting part of our perimeter fence and blocking the main road. Antibiotic, banamine and mild sedative was administered but with no clear cause for his behavior we all thought it best under the circumstances to transport him immediately to Washington State University-Pullman veterinary teaching hospital for more thorough evaluation via an emergency summons.

With the van opened Asher got up and willingly followed me there even as horrible as he felt, loading easily. Once in the van we raced for Pullman while they prepared for our arrival, following the thunderstorm as it moved northeast. Still not yet fully appreciating the seriousness of the situation but not wanting to take any chances with Asher, we arrived in record time despite the treacherous weather, about two and a half hours. He was cushed most of the time, but as we

21

pulled into the WSU campus he got up and stretched his head towards the front of the van over the barrier with mouth open and gasping. It’s said that camelids have few muscles in the face and consequently aside from a slight worry wrinkle under the eye can’t express emotion through their face. I can testify that his was an expression of panic, as though to exclaim, “Help me!” whereupon he spun around and collapsed on his side, expelling a firm meringue-like foam from his lungs.

He died.

His death hit me like a punch to the gut. Months later it's still hard to walk past his empty paddock without that powerfully vibrant and energetic presence.

A few days after his death the necropsy results revealed the cause. The obvious asphyxiation that killed him was due to a silent and stealthy assassin. There is a class of arboviral diseases known as hemorrhagic. A human/primate version in the news in recent years is Ebola, found in Africa, though the disease is not new. Other more contagious hemorrhagic viruses affecting mostly ruminants have found their way out of Africa, such as African horse sickness virus (AHSV), equine encephalosis virus (EEV), epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV), and bluetongue virus (BTV). The latter is what killed Asher (BTV-11). They all have similar hideous symptoms, with varied severity and species susceptibility. These diseases are much more widespread and prevalent in the United States and elsewhere around the world than most people realize. Many “mysterious” illnesses or deaths are caused by them, with little warning and often going undiagnosed.

In our herd of twenty-four llamas, beginning with Dazy May, we lost four llamas in the span of about a month. Five more tested positive for the disease but survived, some spending time at WSU-Pullman. Spread by a Culicoides biting midge, the range of these insects is expanding. Other arboviral diseases are expanding as well, such as West Nile virus, and African species of mosquitoes that can carry yellow and dengue fever are spreading in California this year. These mosquitoes are aggressive and aren’t deterred by the daytime heat and sun.

WSU-Pullman dispatched a field disease investigative unit to gather data on our herd and others in Eastern Washington, identifying other ranches with recent BTV deaths.

Measures need to be taken to protect your animals from the fate ours and many others have suffered from this often unrecognized cause of serious illness and death. To this end, I have written an article to share what I have learned about the disease and what can be done to minimize exposure risk. Please take the time to read it online at http://www.rattlesnakeridgeranch.com/documents/Bluetongue_disease.pdf or from http://www.rattlesnakeridgeranch.com click on Llama Care.

Scott and Gayle Noga

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Rattlesnake Ridge Ranch Pasco, Washington, USA

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

He’s Driving Me &?#% !

I Mean… He’s Driving Me!

By Tom Hudgin, Photos by Mary Lou Hassell the llama… before you start the training. The training part is fairly straight forward, for some anyway. So the trick is to find the right llama in the beginning. Only a few llamas have the right combination to become a good driving llama. I had already trained two, one of which was a grand champion. But Matador had gone down on his pasterns and was semi-retired.

“Giddy up.” A few seconds followed with no response.

I said, ”Giddy up.” Again, I sat there in the driver’s seat, hands holding the loose reins in vain while the large hunk of gray matter in front stood there chewing his cud and gazing off towards the Tennessee mountains. The only movement in that hot bod was the chomping jaw full of cud and twitching ears. Great! Maybe this is how they define progress in Tennessee, but it ain’t where I came from. I tried again with a lot more determination.

I thought I found a llama last winter, but when I started to work with him, I discovered he was afraid of cars, dogs, tractors, and people. This was not the characteristics of a good cart llama. Oh sure, over a period of time I probably could have settled him down and removed those fears, but I did not want to spend months just getting him to the point of cart training.

“HEY, YOU UP THERE! MOVE IT!” At that point, Tevye put his ears back and wham.

He kicked the cart.” What the ----! I spent months learnin’ you how to pull this contraption, and this is what I get?”

Mary Lou Hassell suggested one of her older, male llamas might have the right temperament. Never having met Tevye, and in desperation, I headed out to the pasture with a halter and lead in my back pocket. He was busy grazing on the lush, spring grass and did not pay attention to me initially. I stopped 50 feet away and started to talk to him quietly expecting him to look up and walk away. He continued eating. I moved closer to 10 feet. He still ignored me. Slowly, I walked up, extended my hand and touched his back. He looked up for a couple of seconds and continued eating. I moved my hand up to his neck, then to the top of his head. He continued eating. Finally, I reached in my back pocket, removed the halter and lead,

At that moment a pickup truck approached us from ahead. The driver, in bib overalls and straw hat, had his left arm hanging down the outside of the door. I assumed the door would have fallen off if he let go. I heard things are different in Tennessee. He slowed to a crawl and stopped.

“Howdy there. How’s your donkey doin’?”

“Sir, he ain’t no donkey. In fact, he’s smarter than your old rusty truck!” I snorted.

The farmer reached around with his left arm and opened his door from the outside.

“What did you say about my truck?!”

“Tom, wake up! You must be having a nightmare.

You were mumbling to someone about a donkey,” she said as she shook me.

“Yeah, it was weird, something about… oh, never mind.”

It all started last spring when I was searching for another llama to train to drive a cart. I knew that 80% of a successful llama cart driver is the overall temperament, attitude, demeanor and intelligence of

Continued on page 22 21

25

He’s Driving Me &?#% ! I Mean… He’s Driving Me!, continued and held the halter up to his face. Tevye lifted his head up to my shoulders, looked at the halter and stood still. I slipped the halter and lead on. He remained still. Then we walked around the pasture for awhile with Tevye directly behind. And the best part was that he was NOT afraid of dogs, cars, trucks, tractors and strangers. He was the right llama.

might be enjoying this. Eventually, we reached the point where Tevye would “walk on” and “whoa” without the aid of the reins or Mary Lou tugging or blocking his path. He was consistent. We were ready for phase two after a little over a month of training.

The next part involved teaching Tevye to turn right and left. I added the empty driving harness strapped on his back. Again, Mary Lou would lead Tevye with a line while I followed behind with the reins. Shortly, I said, “Tevye, turn left” and pulled the reins slightly and gently to the left. At the same time Mary Lou turned to the left and towed Tevye with the lead rope. We continued this process for a week turning only left. The idea was to teach him the association of the words “turn left” and a slight left tug on the reins. After a week, he caught on. Then we did the right side. All along we continued to reinforce the “walk on” and “whoa.” In another month of 30 minute sessions, Tevye had it down pat. He now could start, stop, turn left and turn right… without the cart.

We began the training with daily, 30 minute, simple walks on a lead to build a mutual bond of trust.

After a week, I was ready for phase one of ground driving training. When I placed a driving halter and reins on him, Mary Lou hooked up a normal lead line to his halter. She led Tevye along as he had been trained to do, while I followed behind with loose reins in hand. To start the forward motion, I said quietly, “Tevye, walk on.” Of course, Tevye had no idea what that meant, so Mary Lou tugged on the lead at the same time and off we went.

“Good boy, Tevye”, I said.

When it came time to stop, I ordered, “Tevye, whoa.”

Then came the big challenge – the cart itself. This is a huge transition, because suddenly you are physically restricting his movements forward, sideways and backward and you are adding a lot of weight to pull. I have seen some llamas that passed the test in temperament, attitude, etc., and passed the test of training up to this point with flying colors, then freak out when the cart is attached. In fact, I had a female llama that did beautifully up to the point of attaching an empty cart. She panicked and never was able to go further.

I gently pulled back on the reins while Mary Lou stepped in front of him. Tevye stopped.

“Good boy, Tevye” I repeated.

We continued the “walk on” and “whoa” process 15-30 minutes a day for several weeks. Tevye had to get this part down perfectly before we moved further. In fact, the most important command to learn without hesitation or second thoughts on his part is “WHOA.” Each day we made progress.

Each day I could see subtle signs that Tevye just

At this stage, we moved our training to an oval, fenced horse ring in case Tevye went wild with the cart hook-up. We tied Tevye to the fence and placed the cart harness on his back while whispering sweet nothings in his ear.

Mary Lou stood beside Tevye’s head and held onto the lead while I slowly placed the empty cart into position from behind him. Tevye stood perfectly still. We slowly slipped the lower and upper tugs from his harness onto the cart shafts at the same time on both sides so no sideways weight would be felt. Then we let go of the shafts so he could feel the weight. Tevye continued to stand.

“Bravo, Tevye” We gave him a big hug.

Continued on page 23

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

22

He’s Driving Me &?#% ! I Mean… He’s Driving Me!, continued I took the lead rope, untied it from the fence and slowly led him around the oval with no one in the cart and no reins. In a sense, we were regressing because we were only introducing the weight of the cart and restricted movements and forgetting about the “walk on,” “whoa,” and “left and right turns” for the moment.

During the first half of the loop around the ring, Tevye offered some resistance. He tried to move sideways, then stopped, then jumped forward in an attempt to shake off that cart. He was obviously uncomfortable with the contraption hanging on his back. I expected this reaction, however, and we continued around the ring not giving in. We did nothing but just walk. No commands, no side movements as practiced in the past, just walk. By the time we returned to the starting point in the oval ring, Tevye had relaxed and was trotting right along with no argument. We went around a second time.

Finally, I gave the lead to Mary Lou, and I walked behind him and the cart with the reins. The cart remained empty. For the next several weeks, we practiced the commands I had taught Tevye from the beginning while walking behind the cart.

improved each time. We now have booked him for two Christmas parades, one in Jonesborough, TN and one in Boykin, SC. As you can see, it takes the right pick initially and a lot of patience, but it pays off in the end. The last step is teaching Tevye to back up with the cart. I have a plan.

Watch out performance people, we’ll see you at the shows.

One final comment, I had a face to face meeting with one of the nearby Tennessee State Parks Superintendents about the possibility of bringing Tevye and other llamas to the park on a one time trial basis. We were granted permission for a one shot test. No horses or other livestock were allowed… except dogs on a leash. I said we could abide by the dog rules. We took Tevye to the park for a test run in the cart. It was a hit, and we have been granted permission to bring llamas to the Davy Crockett State Park anytime without prior notice. The next step will be to visit another state park in Tennessee using the same “trial approach.”

Knowing our success in North Carolina State Parks, I anticipate going to the State Parks Division office in Nashville sometime down the road and request the same permission for all of Tennessee State Parks… just like we did in North Carolina. We are on a roll.

Then the day of reckoning arrived. Tevye was going to pull me in the cart… maybe. We returned to the oval horse ring. Tevye stood perfectly still while we hooked him up to cart. Mary Lou, again, held Tevye in front with a lead rope. I climbed in, ever so gently, and commanded, “Tevye, walk on.”

Tevye eased forward. After a quarter trek around the ring, I asked Mary Lou to release the lead rope.

It was now or never. I held my breath in anticipation of the worst as we smoothly rode a complete loop around the oval without a flaw.

“WE DID IT! WE DID IT! GOOD BOY, TEYVE!” I shouted, stopped, got out of the cart and gave Tevye a hug and a treat of a handful of feed.

I gave Mary Lou a hug and thanked her for her help. I sang “We did it! We did it!” all around the ring three more times. Every week since that moment, we have taken Tevye out for rides. He has

This article also appears in the Fall 2014 issue of the SSLA Llama Journal.

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How Do We Make A Baby Llama or Alpaca a Responsible Citizen?

Handling baby llamas/alpacas is essential to their long-term handling, behaviors and routine care. Knowing what to do and having a healthy balance is really important for a positive end result.

I have raised many baby llamas over the years and made mistakes but still learned a lot along the way. It is important to balance handling and not over handling. In the beginning we were to not touch babies, especially males. The end result was a near death rodeo to trim feet or do routine care.

Since that time with methods such as the "John Mallon Method,", we have learned that they can be handled and made into much easier to work with adults.

When a baby camelid is born, you can in a businesslike way touch them all over their body.

Running your hands firmly over their face, ears, body, legs (imitating the foot trimming movement), lifting their tail, touching teats (helps if 28

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

By Niki Kuklenski

you need to remove plugs or milk them later) and more. We repeat this process several times, a day for the first few days. We stop the daily process when they easily and quietly stand for it.

When you go to work with the baby, gently cradle them in your arms while they stand on their own feet. Hold onto them until they quit fighting and then gently let them go and walk away. At no time should the baby come up to you for attention or handling. It is normal for them to walk up, sniff and back up/walk away. Babies that seek your handling and attention are destined to be over handled adults. If they do get to this point, it is important to deal with it and firmly.

Babies are darling and most people cannot envision them becoming dangerous or aggressive adults. When babies receive too much attention or

imprint on humans, they get territorial and end up as ill behaved and often times dangerous adults, including females! During 30 years of rescue I have had to rehab or humanely euthanize a number of these animals. It is truly heartbreaking and one of the many reasons I will NOT sell pregnant females or baby llamas to new owners.

If you have an overly friendly baby, it is important to deal with it immediately. Examples of this issue are coming up with a tail over the back (sometimes making noises too), nibbling on clothes etc., coming up for attention and not moving on, bumping into/ jumping on you, putting their nose in your face. Depending on the way they are behaving will dictate what you should do. It is important to ignore these animals for the most part. If a person comes over, put them in an area where they cannot have this behavior reinforced. When you go into the pen, make it a point to walk through them like they aren't there.

It helps to give a gentle/firm knee bump as you do this so they do not want to be in your space. If they persist, coming unglued like a crazy person (yelling, hands waving, jumping etc.) can help.

Ignore them until you need to do something and make sure that being in your personal space is uncomfortable for them.

Babies that are behaving normally should continue to have basic handling. You may add other experiences to their training like loading into the trailer with mom, walking over other surfaces on their way through normal paths, things put on their back (like a towel), hats on their head and more. This is the best time to slowly introduce them to things they may encounter in their lives.

They should also learn about basic grooming. This can be accomplished by at first running

your hands all over their body, then a horse soft brush and then a slicker brush (this progression should not happen all in one session).

To prevent kickers I like to run my hands all over my animals, and give them regular pats on the rear end and between the front legs. As they eat, I move around them and run my hands over their legs and rear area. If they move, I gently block them with my body and move them back to where they were standing. I do this process over until they stand quietly, then I stop. It is essential for PR animals to not kick when randomly touched in their rear leg area.

Less is best with baby llamas. Do not drag them to PR events, nursing homes and more. I ruined my first batch of babies by taking them to too many shows the first year. Now, I ease them into this by taking them to a few shows and making sure they have someone they know with them at the show. I also only enter just a few classes.

Babies are unpredictable and have no business in a clinical setting like a nursing home. Babies also do not need to be handled by that many people and potentially get too comfortable with humans.

I do a lot of therapy work and am always appalled by to see mom and baby pairs visiting nursing homes.

With proper technique and consistency, most babies can be handled to be appropriate around people. Animals who have proper handling and quiet dispositions are easy to maintain and are more likely to receive routine care. A well behaved animal is a joy to own!

Jeff & Niki Kuklenski kllamas@nas.com 360-592-2603 Reprinted from The GALA Newsletter, published by the Greater Appalachian Llama & Alpaca Assoc.; vol 31, #4, November 2014.

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By Charlene Arendas, DVM Why do I need to know this?

• What YOU do can impact the outcome • What if your vet is far away? With a patient and can’t pick up the phone?

Can’t make it there soon?

• It could save a life!

DISCLAIMER: Do not use this information in lieu of veterinary care for your animal. This information is meant to help you achieve a better outcome for your injured animal while awaiting your veterinarian’s arrival.

Supplies: • Gloves • Towels • Saline Solution • PVC Pipe • Sugar • Needles • Syringes • Betadine/Iodine

• Banamine • Vaseline • Epinephrine • Vet Wrap/Duct tape • Newspapers • String/rope • Scissors • Dose of torb/sedative

Eye Injuries • Early treatment is key!

• Can progress to vision loss or eye loss • Can be very painful • They may try to rub their eyes on ground, fences, etc • Goal: prevent further damage, keep eye clean & moist • Halter & keep from rubbing/scratching

Emergency Eye Care • Saline solution • Large 60cc syringe • Flush out debris, mucus, blood, and moisturize the eyeball • Ophthalmic antibiotics are OK to use if vet can’t come until tomorrow • Otherwise, just keep it moist with saline • Banamine is ok to give, 1cc/100# SQ Eye Ointments • NO STEROIDS unless vet ok’s it!

• Can cause or worsen corneal ulcers • Can worsen infection • Can cause abortion in pregnant females (induces labor) • Dexamethasone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone (steroids end in “-one”) Hemorrhage • Excessive bleeding • Wounds, internal injuries, etc • Principle: stop or slow the bleeding with pressure applied over the blood vessels • Many times, can be done with holding light pressure with gauze, towel, etc

Editor’s Note – A huge thank you to Dr. Arendas for providing these comprehensive notes from her presentation at the 2014 PLAA Annual Meeting. This compilation is an invaluable addition to our barn first aid kit.

‘‘

‘‘

Triage on the Farm...

NOVEMBER 2014

What YOU Need to do in an Emergency!

When is is Serious?

• The bleeding looks like a faucet on full blast • Or, a slow steady drip that is not slowing down over hours • Animal that is down, weak, or depressed • Gum/eye color is light pink, pale, white, blue, or purple • Breathing rapidly, or not breathing at all Possibly Serious Bleeding Injuries: • Nosebleeds – can try to pack the nostrils with rolled gauze, leave in place • Bleeding from the ears – can happen with head trauma & skull fractures – pack ears with gauze • Rectum – severe diarrhea, parasites, internal injuries • Vaginal – dystocias – tears

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

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THE LAMA LETTER

Triage on the Farm

con’t from p. 13

Applying a Tourniquet • Only useful for legs • Clothes, rope, bungee cord, latex gloves • Try to use something gentle on the skin (avoid wire, twine) • Wrap the limb tightly few inches above the bleeding & tie • >2 hours can lead to nerve damage!

Difficulty Breathing • Time is of the essence • Administer oxygen?

• Try different positions of head/neck • Causes: — Heart failure — Pneumonia — Anaphylaxis (allergic reactions) Seizures • Whole body tremors, stiffening, unconsciousness, shaking, kicking/paddling, chewing motions, etc • Keep yourself & the animal safe • Movements will be sudden, unpredictable • Keep the area free of sharp objects, other animals • Blanket to protect the face/eyes Seizures – Causes: • Can occur with any neurologic disease • Head trauma • Severe liver disease • Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances • Severe infection/inflammation in the bloodstream (sepsis), brain (encephelitis), or spinal cord (meningitis) Broken Bones • Leg may be dangling, turned the wrong way, bones may be protruding • You need to prevent any further damage to the leg • Stabilize the fracture if possible • Control pain – torb, banamine • Control hemorrhage

PVC Pipe Splint • Extend the limb out straight and orient in its normal position • Lightly pad the leg with a quick, tight wrap of roll gauze, cloth, roll cotton, etc • Cut the PVC pipe to the appropriate length, and fit the leg inside it • Wrap snugly with duct tape • Wait for your vet, or transport to hospital

Newspaper Splint • May not work on a heavy animal • Keep the newspaper whole • Wrap tightly around the affected limb, centerizing the suspected broken area • Duct tape snugly & wait for your vet, or transport to your vet hospital Prolapsed Uterus • Usually occurs with dystocia • Uterus flips “inside out” and exits through the vulva, hangs • It needs replaced soon, or the tissue will die • Principle: keep it moist, keep it clean, reduce swelling, reduce pain

Making a Splint • Principle: use a stiff object that extends above and below the fractured area to keep it stable and in a normal position • PVC pipe split lengthwise, Newspapers • Duct tape, vet wrap, gauze/cotton/cloth • If the animal is thrashing or extremely PAGE 14 painful, it may be best to leave them alone until your vet arrives

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Triage on the Farm

con’t from p. 14

Prolapsed Uterus • Rinse off with saline, or “hypertonic saline” if you have it, pick off hay/dirt • Dump regular plain table sugar all over the uterus (you can’t use too much) • Sugar draws out moisture & will reduce swelling • Keep the uterus up out of the hay/dirt • Keep it moist until your vet arrives

NOVEMBER 2014

Shearing Nicks & Cuts • Generally not serious • Cuts through the skin, can see underlying fat, tissue, muscle • Cleanse the area with dilute betadine or chlorhexidine, rinse with saline • If small, can use line of super glue along the cut edges & pinch to seal it closed • Antibiotics – Penicillin 1cc/20# daily • If over an inch or two long, may need sutured • A dose of banamine will help with pain & swelling CD & T Vaccine • These bacteria are found in the environment, soil • Important to give annual CD & T vaccine • Need to booster anytime there is a wound, surgery/castration • Sometimes, your vet may want to give Tetanus Antitoxin for a wound, if animal is not current on CD & T vaccine

Paraphimosis (Penis is stuck out of prepuce) • Can occur after breeding, males mating each other, masturbation, injuries • If possible, check for ring of hair • The penis can swell • Like the uterus, keep it moist, clean, & dump sugar all over it!

• Loss of reproductive ability Straining at the Bean Pile • Could be constipation, diarrhea, urinary blockage, or urinary tract infection/inflammation • Very important to observe the animal, & see what does or does not come out!

• Urinary blockage = LIFE THREATENING • Others need addressed, but you have more time to work with Choking • Can block the airway • Causes panic, distress • Many animals will work it out on their own • If the animal is turning white or blue, you need to act fast • You may have to pass a stomach tube • Can deeply massage the whole neck to help dislodge

Hypothermia • Low body temperature • Warm them very S-L-O-W-L-Y • Do not rush in with hot water, heaters, hair dryers, & heating pads!

• Start with very low heat settings • Can give warm fluids orally • Too warm too fast = cell damage/death Hyperthermia • High body temperature • Cool them down S-L-O-W-L-Y • Ice packs, fans, cool liquids by mouth • Water, electrolytes • Move them out of the sunlight • Roll them on their side to allow heat to escape from their belly/underarms

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THE LAMA LETTER

Triage on the Farm con’t from p. 20 Moving Disabled Animals – Sleds, Slings and Things

Here’s a sampling from Dr. Arendas presentation...

CAMELID UPDATE: From the 2014 International Camelid Health Conference at Ohio State University Abortion – Dr. Tibary • Many different causes • Sometimes the embryo is not viable • Twins • 8-way Leptosporosis vaccines • Only way to diagnose the cause is to have the fetus necropsied & samples sent for evaluation • Consider – maybe it was a good thing Male Breeding Soundness – Dr. Pearson • Testicle size, ultrasound • Evaluate sperm • Libido • Penis anatomy, preputial adhesions • Prostate • Compared to S. America, we under-use our males Chorioptic Mange – Dr. McCaslin • Mite infections can be hard to treat • Extremely thick plaques on skin • Solva-Ker gel can help dissolve the thick plaques (6.6% salicylic acid) • Frontline Spray helps kill mites • Will never resolve if the plaques aren’t removed • Sometimes need to mechanically scrape

Be creative, be safe, use mechanical advantage when you can to move your lama safely and efficiently

EPINEPHRINE • Adrenaline • 1cc per 100# IM • Can be used for anaphylaxsis, allergic reactions • Allergic reactions – insect stings, vaccines & other injected drugs – usually occur within an hour BUTORPHANOL (“Torb”) • Sedation, pain relief • Controlled drug (opiate) • Can be given IM, IV, or SQ • Ask your vet if you can keep a dose on hand for emergencies PAGE 16

Minerals & Vitamins – Dr. VanSaun • Blood samples may not accurately reflect a toxicity or deficiency — Liver biopsy samples are better • Selenium requirement >1mg/day • Copper requirement 10-20mg/day • RECOMMENDED LAB: Michigan State University – Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health – Nutrition Section Feeding the ill Camelid • Fever – every 1 degree Celsius increase raises metabolic rate 11-13% • “FEED A FEVER”!

• Crias can tolerate glucose/sugar/starchy supplements • Adults need AMINO ACIDS (protein), NOT glucose/sugar!

• Need higher quality protein during times of increased need: weanlings, lactation, late pregnancy, illness • Oral amino acid solutions • Sick adults may need insulin

Reprinted from The Lama Letter, Newsletter of the Penna. Llama & Alpaca Assoc.; vol. 19, #4, November 2014.

33

Chuk & Vicki Guzman Southern G Llamas 740 Bear Creek Rd

Triple V Ranch Rick & Sharon VanHooser 600 Red Top Road Poolville, Texas 76487

LaGrange, Texas 78945

817-596-9644

979.242.3858

E-mail: Sharonav@peoplepc.com t Quarter Horses t Llamas t Miniature Donkeys t t Miniature Horses t Dwarf/Pigmy Goats

Figment Ranch Llamas

Since 1988 Specializing in performance animals.

We breed pets, show, guard and just-for-fun llamas.

Members of SCLA-ALSA-ILR

17102 Mueschke Rd Cypress, Tx 77433 281-351-1820 Home

www.FigmentRanch.com figranch@flash.net Ruby Herron Robin Turell Sean Price

713-249-8523 713-249-3893 281-830-2368

Diamond D Llamas Rick & Darlene Matthiesen 259 PR 3512 Hondo, TX 78861 Home: 830.741.7023 email: diamonddllamas@gmail.com www.diamonddllamas.com

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Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Lone Star ranch Exotic Imported Show Llamas, Texas Longhorns & Scottish Highland Cattle

Gorgeous Argentine

P.O. Box 1184,Durant , OK 74702 3477 Co. Rd. 338, Melissa, TX 75454 lonestarranchoktx@gmail.com

LlAmAs With rAre genetics

Ranch 580.745.9202 Ranch 469.742.0110 Fax 580.745.9292

BLUEBONNET HILL LLAMAS Bob & Joan Lyons San Antonio, Texas 210.497.3151

Lone Star ranch Exotic Imported Show Llamas, Texas Longhorns & Scottish Highland Cattle

Gorgeous Argentine

P.O. Box 1184,Durant , OK 74702 3477 Co. Rd. 338, Melissa, TX 75454 lonestarranchoktx@gmail.com

LlAmAs With rAre genetics

Ranch 580.745.9202 Ranch 469.742.0110 Fax 580.745.9292

RANCHES Texas & Colorado

Suri, Silky, & Argentine Llamas 512-751-5363 www.sapavecoranch.com

3966 Estate Drive Vacaville, CA 95688 707-447-5046 707-471-4020 f llamainfo@gmail.com www.llamainfo.org

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Owner Receives Help from Network of Volunteers

she said, "I should just kill myself." Her husband of 50 years was in nursing home care and she was left all alone to take care of his favorite animals, llamas, that he had purchased after retiring from the service. Her health was not the best either as a heart attack had left her using a cane. Her two sons lived far away and were not able to help. The house and the llamas and her additional animals plus the worry over her husband and finances was more than she could handle.

Her property was in need of repair with the road washed out and fences down. Several of her llamas had escaped onto nearby open property with hunt-

F.E. Baxter, Southwest Llama Rescue December 2014

Silvia (not her real name) was obviously distraught by her tone from the phone call early one September morning. "I really think dying would be easier.",

ing deer in season. Neighbors had complained.

Animal control was threatening her with fines if she did not contain her animals. Silvia did not want to turn them over to Animal Control for fear of being auctioned or worse. Somehow she found the number for Southwest Llama Rescue (SWLR).

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After listening to her relate her story, it was

obvious that she cared for the llamas but was just overwhelmed with life events. I told her I would help all I could. I told her I would check with Animal Control to see what could be done about the complaints and fines.

I met with Animal Control with information on SWLR to let them know that SWLR was a legitimate rescue organization. This is a small Animal Control that is full to the brim with dogs & cats and did not really have facilities for many large

papers from animal control, took out hay and supplements for the llamas that were still on her property, arranged for a vet to geld the intact males, found someone to help repair fences, sent messages to her sons to let them know she needed help. Another volunteer set up a meeting for Silvia with a VA counselor to help her understand what might be available to her thru the VA.

Animal Control set up pens to catch the 11 loose llamas, many of which were very pregnant.

It took two months to corral them and bring them to my place, usually 3 at a time. The remaining males that she had on her property were corralled with help from SWLR volunteers and transported by arrangement with a local exotic animal transporter with a high clearance trailer. Some of this was paid by SWLR donations. Some was donated on the spot by friends.

That is the adrenaline "rescue" part of the story. Then comes more time & hard work & help from friends and fellow SWLR volunteers with computer skills and ability to raise money and find homes.

animals. But how to catch loose llamas on neighboring large land areas with no fences or corrals?

Animal Control agreed to set up panels, catch the llamas, and then turn them over to SWLR provided that Silvia would sign the necessary surrender papers.

My property needed to be modified by rearranging some of the portable fencing and containment areas plus the purchase of additional

It took a gathering of fellow volunteers (friends), many visits to her property with 4 wheel drive, letting her know that SWLR would not auction the animals but instead would care for them and find them homes. I let her know that if she would surrender the animals to Animal Control, she would not be fined, and Animal Control would turn them over to SWLR. We met Silvia with the 37

supplies of hay and supplements for compromised llamas and vet care. It took two years of caring for the very untrained llamas, watching/ helping with births that occurred at NIGHT in the middle of winter, separating & gelding the males, caring for their new born crias with winter coats and supplements. SWLR was continuously finding homes for the adult llamas that were ready, plus caring for the llamas that remained in foster care.

This included lots of feed, supplements, medications, vet visits, training, toenail trimming, shearing, and transporting sometimes long distance to their new homes. Pictures were taken, added to websites and Facebook pages plus appeals made

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for foster homes, permanent homes, and donations.

Many hours of dedicated energy and time and talent than I thought possible were given to this herd and the remaining llamas on Silvia's property.

Just this Christmas week, the remaining two llamas went to their new home to be guards for goats on a ranch. What a Christmas gift. Thanks to all of you who made this rescue possible with your time, talent, donations. You gave comfort to Silvia, perhaps saved her life, and gave care to a herd of llamas.

Ask The CSU VET Team

By Kathy Stanko & the Colorado State University Camelid Vets & Interns

In This Edition: • Hearing Loss in Camelids • Update: Vitamin E in Camelids • Blood Work at YOUR farm

Welcome everyone! Ever wonder if your lama has a hearing problem? Dr. Elizabeth Topliff-Yee offers us some good advice. Dr. Stacey Byers provides an update on the Vitamin E research that has been going on since 2012. Dr. Byers then explains an exciting new research project to give all of our vets new tools to help our animals.

1.) Question: Do camelids go deaf? How can you tell if they have hearing problems?

Response from Dr. Elizabeth Topliff-Yee: Deafness in camelids can be either an acquired condition, or a heritable congenital condition. Acquired deafness is most commonly caused by trauma or infection of the ear that damages the auditory apparatus or the specialized sensory cells responsible for conducting and interpreting sound. Middle and inner ear infections can result in deafness of the affected ear. Just as in other animals, hearing loss associated with age may occur in camelids but there is limited information describing this.

Congenital deafness occurs in about 80% of camelids that have blue eyes, white fiber coloring, and no other pigmentation of the skin or iris. The association

of deafness in blue eyed white coated animals is well documented in other species as well. This inherited type of hearing loss is caused by a degeneration of the ear's sensory cells during development of the fetus and is believed to be associated with a defect in migration of melanocytes from the neural crest.

Recent genetic research performed in Australia has identified two mutations within a gene as the cause for a "blue-eyed white (BEW)" phenotype in camelids. The gene has also been implicated in other species. Hopefully, genetic research will lead to a commercial screening test for breeders. For the time being, it may be prudent to avoid breeding animals with BEW characteristics or BEW direct relatives until we can better predict outcomes of their offspring.

It can be very difficult to detect hearing loss in camelids, as the acuity of their other senses will heighten to compensate for the deficit. Camelids and other livestock adapt very well to hearing loss through visual and other non-auditory cues that help them stay aware of their environment and other herd dynamics.

Because of this adaptation, hearing loss is not a significant concern in regards to the animal's quality of life.

A subjective evaluation of hearing capacity in an animal can effectively be done in the home environment where the animal is most relaxed and not on high alert. Testing an individual animal using noises, like clapping, shouting, or a horn, may be done while the animal is not able to detect the impending stimulus using other senses. Performed at various distances, this simple tool may estimate the extent of hearing loss as well.

Confirmation and characterization of hearing loss can be achieved with a diagnostic procedure known as Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials or Response (BAEP/BAER) testing. BAER detects waves of electrical output from the brainstem in response to 39

noise stimulation. The equipment needed to perform this test is generally only available at specialty hospitals with a neurology service. To perform the test, the animal is anesthetized or heavily sedated. Headphones are placed over the ears to transmit sound to the ears and electrodes are placed over the scalp to identify the response in the brain to the sound. This test is particularly useful for confirming congenital deafness caused by the BEW phenotype in camelids and other animals.

CSU Research Projects by Dr. Stacey Byers

2)

Update: Vitamin E in Camelids

Drs. Andi Lear and Stacey Byers have completed a 2-phase project evaluating the use of vitamin E by Camelids. Funds were provid ed by a CSU College Research Council grant pro vided by the USDA. The first phase of the project was to determine the collection, storage, and processing factors that could affect the vitamin E levels in a blood sample. Diagnostic laboratories have conflicting information on effects of these factors. We were able to determine proper handling recommendations for veterinarians collecting and submitting blood samples for this vitamin. The results of this project were published: Lear AS, Byers SR, Callan RJ, McArt JAA, 2014, Evaluation of Sample Handling Effects on Serum Vitamin E and Cholesterol Concentrations in Alpacas, Vet Med Int, Article ID 537213, 5 pages, doi:10.1155 / 2014 / 537213.

The second phase of the study was designed to determine if pregnancy, colostrum, or lactation affected vitamin E levels in crias. In cattle we know vitamin E is not transferred across the placenta and calves get their first big dose with colostrum. We were unsure if this was true in camelids as well. In addition, grazing animals on the Front Range of Colorado are typically fed a hay based diet which has very little vitamin E left in it after harvesting. We periodically see cases of juvenile camelids suffering from neurologic conditions 40

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

such as diaphragmatic paralysis and they are found to have very low vitamin E levels.

We monitored blood vitamin E levels in a group of females and their crias from preparturition to weaning. Similar to cattle, we discovered crias obtain their vitamin E primarily from colostrum and their levels decrease as weaning on to forage occurs. We hope to continue the study to determine the most appropriate vitamin E supplementation method (oral versus injections) and how frequently supplementation is needed. Additional funding is needed for this research.

3) New Research: Evaluation of the Heska EPOC Blood Gas and Electrolyte Analyzer Dr. Stacey Byers and Katlin Hornig (Class of 2016 veterinary student) received a $3500 grant from the Young Investigator Grant program in the Center for Companion Animal Studies at CSU to evaluate a new portable device capable of running some basic blood work on the farm. The device is being evaluated for use in camelids and goats.

Animals from small acreage farms often do not receive on farm critical care monitoring due to equipment cost and availability. Most of these animals are cared for by ambulatory veterinarians who typically do not have immediate blood testing capabilities. Blood samples are typically submitted to a clinical pathology laboratory and it can take 24-48 hours to obtain results. In the meantime, the veterinarian institutes medical therapies based on physical exam findings but these therapies may not be appropriate if there are severe derangements in hematology or electrolytes.

Current portable analyzers have been available but the equipment and cartridges are expensive, require special handing, are prone to failure, multiple cartridges are required to test a variety of parameters, and the equipment had not been validated for use in livestock species so results were questionable.

Heska has developed the Element POC TM Blood Gas and Electrolyte Analyzer that is portable, provides rapid results (35 seconds), only requires a single test card for various parameters, and relatively inexpensive ($11-20 per card). The objective of this study is to compare the blood gas and electrolyte parameters measured with this analyzer against a laboratory biochemical analyzer to validate the results of the Heska portable analyzer and if the performance is acceptable, develop reference ranges for these species. The information from this project may be useful for veterinarians providing medical care to a growing population of backyard companion animals.

To date, we have tested over 80 healthy animals (40 alpacas and 40 goats) and are testing hospitalized camelids and goats to expand our data set. Then Katlin gets the fun part of data analysis. Preliminary results are encouraging! We will keep you posted.

If you want to help fund these or other projects, please contact Dr. Byers (stacey.byers@colostate.edu) or Dr. Callan (robert.callan@colostate.edu).

Reprinted with permission from the authors. This article first appeared in The Journal, newsletter of the Rocky Mtn. Llama & Alpaca Assoc. Winter 2014

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Jim and Mary Nell Doyle of Mariko Llamas with help from Zoe Rutledge at the State Fair of Texas.

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David ( Boo ) Rierson has a new way of holding his llamas.

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SCLA Library

Barbara Welch, Librarian

(830) 885-2388 • dbldare@gvtc.com

Books A Guide to Raising Llamas – Gale Birutta (10132) A Well Trained Llama – By Paul & Betty Barkman (10167) Along Came a Llama -- Welsh farmer adds a llama to her farm (10041) ALSA Llama Judging Clinic (10098) Aunt Millie’s Guide to Llama Fiber - By Mike Brown (10166) Body Scoring Llamas & Alpacas, by Bob Beede, DVM (10128) Before and After Llamas -- humor (10086) Building Small Barns, Sheds and Shelters -- Monte Burche (10116) Camel's Zoo Book 2 -- children (10023) Caring for Llamas, A Health and Management Guide (10043) Caring for Llamas and Alpacas - 2nd. ed. (10043) Evaluating a Llama Pack for Comfort and Function (10122) Fifty Things to Do With a Llama by B. James (10147) Felt making Techniques & Projects by I. Evers (10149) Handbook for Llamas -- first aid (10017) Hands On Spinning -- Lee Raven (10107) Harley – by Star Livingston Illustrated by Molly Bang (10173) Heat Stress; Prevention & Management, by Myra Freeman -- (10130) I Care About My Animals – animal rights guide (10124) If I was a Llama -- children (10112) Llamas & Alpacas as a Metaphor for Life - by Marty McGee – (10148) Llama&AlpacaNeonatalCare,byB.Smith,DVM;K.Timm,DVM;P.Long,DVM.--(10131) Llama Babies -- Up, Dry & Nursing -- Anderson (10133) Llama Driving – By Ron Shinnick (10169) Llama Nutrition Clinic Notes -- LaRue Johnson, DVM (10138) Llama Packing for Youth, by the ILA Youth Committee -- (10129) Llama Training on Your Own – Helen Bodington (10168) Living with Llamas -- Rosana Hart (10020) Llamas Can Beat the Heat -- Texas cooling techniques (10035) Llama Medicine and Surgery -- Texas A&M (10022) Llama Medicine, Veterinary Clinics of North America -- (10082) Llama Training, Who's in Charge -- (10027) Llamas: Their Personality and Expressions -- (10114) Llama Tricks -- Step by Step Method -- by Linda Hayes -- 10142 Leaders Manual for 4-H Llama Activities (10156) Love a Llama -- children (10097) Making the Most of Your Llama – By Linda Beattie (10165)

Medicine & Surgery of South American Camelids -Fowler (10135) Medicine & Surgery of South American Camelids – 2nd ed., (10153) Packing with Llamas -- (10048) Raising Llamas in Alberta, Why Are They So Popular? -- (10123) Roberts Rules of Order (10152) Ruminations from the Back Forty - by John Mallon (10178) SCLA 1992 Conference -- ring binder (10104) SCLA 1993 Conference -- ring binder (10079) SCLA 1994 Conference -- ring binder (10100) SCLA 1995 Conference – ring binder (10080) SCLA 1996 Conference – ring binder (10130) SCLA 1998 Conference – ring binder (10150) SCLA 2000 Conference – ring binder, (10163) Scraping Heaven - by Cindy Ross, donated by Teresa King (10179) Secrets of the Andes (10040) So You Share Your Life with a Llama - by Susan Peterson (10177) Speechless Brothers (10106) Spinning Llama & Alpaca -- by Chris Switzer (10134) Spinning Llama & Alpaca 2nd Edition – By Chris Switzer (10171) The Camelid Companion (Handling and Training your Alpacas and Llamas) –

by Marty McGee Bennett (10172) The Field Guide ... In Search of the Ideal Llama – conformation info (10113) The TTEAM Approach -- McGee (10117) The (Mis)adventures of the Llamas at Hunter Hill – Hubbard, Ryberg (10174) Today and Tomorrow Llama Investment Analysis --1990 (10047) Turning Wool into a Cottage Industry -- (10042) The Waldo Chronicles -- a training log -- (10129) Veterinary Llama Field Manual - By Norman Evans (10145) Youth Llama Project -- 4H guidebooks (10045) 4H Instructions -- SCLA (10118) Packing with Llamas 4th edition - Stanlynn Daugherty (10161) Notes from Dr. Norman Evans' llama conference on 4/1/2000 (10164) 3rd Annual Camelid Health Program - Ohio State University (10170)

Newsletters and Magazines SCLA Humming Herald Red Hot Llamas -- Smithsonian 8/94 (10101) Newsletters from other llama associations

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Video Tapes All About Llamas I -- Llama Basics (10007) All About Llamas II, Breeding, Birthing and Newborns -- (10008) Animals on the Farm -- Video aimed at children/4-H clubs - (10134) Basic T.T. E.A.M. with Llamas - by Marty McGee (10005) Camelid Handling Secrets Volume 1 Medical Management - (10025) Click & Reward -- Training Video -- (10141) Click and Reward – Vol. II –(10159) The Competitive Edge in the Showring -- ALSA guidelines (10073) Felt Making by Hand -- Basic Process -- Vickrey (10143) Fences, Barns and Feeders (10085) Five Star Llama Packing (10001) Grooming and Basic Training -- SCLA (10063) How to Use the Kwick and Slick Grooming Tool – (10160) ILA Marketing Video (10111) In Search of the Ideal Llama -- conformation (10095) Inside 4-H Llamas – By ILA (10155) Llama Reproduction -- Part I & II (10009/10) Llama Training with Bobra Goldsmith -- (10003) Mallon Method, The - Difficult to Halter (10180) Mallon Method, The -- The First 24 Hours (10125) Mallon Method, The -- Halter Training Basics (10140) Rolfing a Llama -- (10103) SCLA 1995 Ft Worth Sale -- (10108/09) SCLA 1994 Conference Awards -- (10102) SCLA 1998 Conference Videos (two) – (10151) SCLA Seminar -- (Jensen) heat stress, nail trimming (10011) Spinning Wool, Basics and Beyond -- by P Zawistoski (10139) Step by Step Shearing -- for alpacas and llamas (10126) Texas A & M Seminar -- (Fowler) infectious disease & heat stress (10013) Teaching Your Llama to Pack – Marty McGee with Stanley Daugherty –video – TWO COPIES: --(10158) Texas Country Reporter – featuring John & Linda Keltgen (10157) Training Llamas to Drive -- (10044) Treasures of the Andes -- PBS (10090) "Treating" your Llama Kindly -- handling techniques with Dr. LaRue Johnson and Marty Mcgee (10128) TTEAM Approach to Herd Management -- McGee (10070) Vermonters Just Like to Felt Hats – video (10154) What Do You Do with a Llama? -- photography, Ley (10119) Why llamas? -- (10014) 56

Humming Herald Newsletter Spring 2015

Wonderful World of Llama Wool, The -- McGee (10121) Working In the Round Pen (3 tapes) John Mallon - 10124 Working with Difficult Llamas....by Ken Ploeser, (10162)

DVDs Llama Talk -- Cathy Spalding, Gentle Spirit Llama Training with Bobra Goldsmith Running of the Llamas: a documentary by Heidi Freier c. 2008 (10200) Spinning Luxury Fibers (3 DVD set) Judith MacKenzie Spinning Wool, Basics and Beyond -- by P Zawistoski Mallon Method, The -- Difficult to Halter Mallon Method, The -- The First 24 Hours Mallon Method, The -- Halter Training Basics Vermonters Just Like to Felt Hats -- The Herd of Northern Vermonters Wonderful World of Llama Wool, The -- McGee Working In the Round Pen (3 DVD set) John Mallon

Equipment Tooth-A-Matic rental $20 plus deposit SCLA members can check out items by emailing or calling Barbara Welch, Books may be kept for one month and video tapes for two weeks. Items are mailed at SCLA's expense. You pay the return postage.

Please return to: Barbara Welch 12830 Rebecca Creek Rd. Spring Branch TX 78070 Email Barbara at dbldare@gvtc.com or phone: 830-885-2388.

Updated June 2011

Advertising Rates Payment will reserve your placement and will be accepted for up to four consecutive issues.

Please include $7.00 for each “loose” photo accompanying your ad. Please do not submit ink jet printouts of photos as the quality is sub-standard.

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Membership Application Form

South Central Llama Association (www.scla.us) Name:____________________________________________________________________________________ Ranch Name:______________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________________ City:_________________________________________ State:____________ Zip___________________________ Phone : ( ______) _____________________ Email:_____________________________________________ _____Please DO NOT print my name in the Membership Directory (handed out to the public) Annual Membership Fee: $40.00 per household. All memberships expire January 31st of each year. $20.00 for first-time members who join after July 1.

Please mail a copy of this membership form with your check (payable to SCLA) to: SCLA MEMBERSHIP P.O. Box 163654 Austin, TX 78716

Associate Youth Membership Application Form South Central Llama Association (www.scla.us)

Youth Name:_______________________________________________________________________ Ranch Name:_______________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:________________ Zip___________________ Phone : ( ______)_______________________

Email:_____________________________________

Date of Birth______________________________ Name & Address of Adult Sponsor: ____________________________________________________________________________________ _____Please DO NOT print my name in the Membership Directory (handed out to the public) Youth Associate Memberships are non-voting and expire December 31st of each year.

Annual Membership Fee: $10.00 per youth, ages 5-19. $5.00 for first-time members who join after July 1.

Please mail a copy of this membership form with your check (payable to SCLA) to: SCLA Membership P.O. Box 163654 Austin, TX 78716

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Only if we can learn to work together will we realize our strength in numbers.

Free your mind and think.

Figment Ranch

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