Siesta (registered as Ledgestone's Siesta) arrived at our farm when she was six months old. She is extremely smart, perhaps the smartest llama in our herd. She is also strong willed. She does not kush or perform passive protest when asked to do something she does not like. Instead she plants her feet like a mule and actively resists. She is smart enough that she cannot be coerced. However, she can be bribed. Fortunately she is smart enough that she will accept IOUs (promises). She does not seek human touch, and makes it clear that she does not want to be touched. But, if there is a probable reward she is all cooperation. She always volunteers to be the first in line for shearing, toes, grooming, and so forth. Indeed, when we are setting up the equipment, Siesta voluntarily enters the chute and looks back at us as if to say “Hurry up”.

Siesta cools off on wet sand under a mister.

She is a very vocal llama, and has no hesitation to express her vocal opinion. Though her vocal repertoire is limited, if she does not like the situation, she gives a marvelous “raspberry.” If worried, she has a heart wrenching, tremulous hum. If we are hiking and she recognizes that we are going to a place she does not like, she complains (hums) with almost every step. When we turn to a direction she likes, the complaints stop. She may have to cooperate, but she thinks she has a right to express an opinion about what is happening.

We thought it would be fun to put a bell at the back door as an alternative to the big bell above the front door, which Glacier rings. Siesta carefully watched us install the bell, and as soon as we finished it, she stepped up and vigorously rang the bell. Then she looked at us a moment and walked away. She never rang it again. She knows how and what it means, but chooses not to ring.

Siesta loves to hike. The sight of a halter or the words "walk" or "out" prompts her to go to the gate and wait to be haltered. She rides in the van, but does not seem to enjoy it like some of the other llamas. She is a good PR llama and permits strangers to touch and visit with her.

Siesta likes to come into the house. She knows the refrigerator is a source of carrots, and she is very careful about furniture. High IQ's are great, but they come with a liability. I keep telling her that there are some things in life that you may not want to figure out. I am sure she thinks we are dolts when she uses sounds, postures, and pantomime unsuccessfully to communicate something to us. At any rate, it you want Siesta to do something and she resists, it is time to blow on her nose and make promises of future rewards.