And Llamas Don’t Bother Her at All

 

I just want to tell all of you, who’ve left me such wonderful comments, a huge and grateful thank you for your well wishes, congratulations, opinions and advice on my two most recent posts about finally making Apache my own and interpreting and dealing with her licking. You guys are the best!!!!

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Today was gorgeous with temps close to the 60’s! I would have loved to get out and ride, but I had other plans to do with Apache instead. She’s been in her smaller paddock for the past week and I wanted to get her into the larger paddock/pasture to give her some more exercise, and get her used to the llamas, goats and sheep, and to give her access to the barn and stall, if she so chooses.

As I told you all a few days ago, Baby Doll took several months to get used to the llamas and was very spooked for a long time even to look at them. She eventually did get used to them, but it took a while.

I expected similar reactions from Apache and had prepared myself to deal with them and to just be there to help give Apache courage, even though I was also worried about any potential blow-ups or freak-outs and me getting hurt by them.

But I was still hoping that Apache might act like ‘my’ noble, brave, handsome Rojo did when he first met my llamas, as I took them out for a walk past his pasture.

He was a friendly gentleman and I think he had a crush on my pretty little llama girl, too.

 

(Did you happen to notice that handsome Rojo also wore a heart on his left shoulder…..just like my Apache does, too? I just noticed this as I was posting his picture. wow. Coincidence?)

This is a very special, to me, photo showing how gentle Rojo was with my little girl. Sometimes he would lower his head and let Jenna hug his muzzle and give him a kiss. It was very sweet. Such a terrible loss……….I sure do miss that beautiful boy.

 

Anyway…I digress.

Ranchman John told me that he wouldn’t be surprised if she just took the llamas in stride and wouldn't be bothered by them at all. It’s so annoying when he’s right.

I went up to her paddock and got her haltered and then I spent some time grooming her a little and trimming her bridle path. Her mane is so thick and bushy, it’s impossible not to get it all tangled up in the halter and bridle. I was then prepared to take her for a walk around the larger pasture to show her the fenceline and where all the trees were located….and to introduce her to the llamas.

After walking around the entire fenceline, we came back around to the barn where all the llamas, goats and sheep were hanging out.

When we walked along the woolie’s fenceline, Apache just stood and stared, even when Catlinite was being rude and stared back in his aggressive stance.

I walked her past them a couple times, but was surprised that she was eager to walk up to the fence and meet them face to face. So we did. And she never batted an eyelash.

I could tell Catlinite was disappointed. His glare had no effect on Apache at all.

She was just curious and tried to make friends with everyone.

Cataleya was much more friendly as usual and she rubbed noses with Apache, which was very sweet.

(In llamas, ears laid back is actually a sign of submission, not aggression. But when ears are laid back AND their nose goes up in the air…watch out! Then they are preparing to spit!)

And, of course, the goats and sheep were all happy to make a new friend.

 

Apache kept looking at me, as if she wanted me to know that she was fine with everything, and I just couldn’t stop praising her for being so calm, confident and sweet.

I love her more each day!

So, she passed another test with flying colors. I removed her halter and let her explore the rest of the pasture on her own, with me walking along beside her.

To be continued………………