How to Ride a Llama

Last Updated: July 15, 2021

Llamas have been used throughout their history as pack animals. Llamas typically aren't used for riding, but some are bred for this purpose. For the most part, it is recommended that only children under 50 lbs should ride llamas. Most llamas cannot withstand the weight of an adult directly on their spine. While they are bred for carrying cargo, the weight of their packs are well distributed. Anyone riding a llama should make sure it has a well made pack saddle.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting Onto the Llama

1
Have someone else soothe the llama and hold the reins. You can now get on the llama.
- It is important that the llama is calm before you get on the saddle.
- If a llama becomes alarmed and fidgets while you are getting on, you can get injured.
- Having someone else settle the llama while you are mounting the pack saddle can help.
2
Put your hands at the withers (where the neck meets the body). Hoist yourself up onto the animal.
- Swing your leg over the top of the llama to settle onto the pack saddle.
- If you are too short to get onto the llama, try using a footstool for leverage.
- Make sure you are secure in the saddle. If you aren't comfortable, adjust your position.
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3
Steady your position. Your back should be straight and you should be firmly mounted on the llama.
- You want to have a comfortable and steady seat to avoid falling off or injuring yourself during the ride.
- Make sure you can comfortably nudge the animal with your heels before you get going.
- Make sure you can comfortably reach the reins without straining your arms or back.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Riding A Llama

1
Take the reins from your assistant. Hold them firmly. Tap the llama with your heels to get it to start moving.
- Gently nudge the llama with your heels to get it to start moving.
- Don't kick the llama with your feet. This will hurt them and might scare them which might cause you to fall off the llama! You don't want to fall, it might hurt.
- Always be respectful of the animal. A gentle nudge is all the llama will need to know to move forward.
2
Use your reins to steer. You will need to pull them to the left or right to make the animal turn.
- Pull on the left rein firmly but gently to go left.
- Pull the right rein turn the llama right.
- Never pull the reins suddenly or too hard. This can cause the llama some discomfort.
3
Stop the llama when you are ready to dismount. To stop it, squeeze your thighs against the llama's rib cage.
- This squeezing motion signals the llama to stop.
- This movement won't hurt the llama if done gently.
- Don't squeeze the llama too hard. Remember, you always want to treat the animal you are riding with respect. Don't ride without your hands on the llama, you could fall. Safety first!

Community Q&A

Question

How light do you have to be for a llama to carry you?

Community Answer

Only tiny children under 30 pounds could ride a llama, but that doesn't mean they should. Riding a llama could kill it or paralyze it due to the pressure on its spine.
Question

How would I know if the llama is disturbed?

Community Answer

Their ears might be laid flat against their head and they might stick their nose in the air.
Question

How do I soothe a llama?

Community Answer

Be sure not to make the llama excited. Act normal around them and show that you have accepted the llama in your life.

Warnings

Don't aggravate the llama, as it may spit, kick or bite you.

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Helpful 33 Not Helpful 4
Only a trained llama should carry a human and this should be done using a special pack.

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Only ride fully grown, healthy adult llamas.

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Ride in groups of 2 or more people.

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In general, (unless it is a very strong llama) humans over 50 lbs should NOT ride a llama as it could hurt them. Their backs are not developed for heavy weight.

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