Sopris Chest Strap and Breeching
       Tack to help to secure the load from front to rear.

            CHEST STRAP
   The chest strap is used to insure that the saddle does not move rearward when your llama is going up steep inclines. A chest strap is also recommended when packing llamas in a string to keep the saddle from being stripped off the rear of your lead llama.

PLACING THE CHEST STRAP
1. Snap the metal chest strap snaps to the front saddle cinch rings.
2. The chest strap should be centered on the llama's chest and adjusted so that it is placed between the windpipe and the shoulder joint. Tighten the chest strap snugly when in use.
3. The DIAGONAL STRAPS on the chest strap hold the chest strap up and in place. Connect these straps to the QUICK RELEASE BUCKLES on the saddle pad.

                                                  BREECHING
   The breeching is used to ensure that the saddle does not move forward while your llama is going down steep inclines. Our breeching also doubles as a training harness: After saddling and attaching the breeching, clip a lead rope on both forward cinch rings and pull your llama through the obstacle or into the trailer.

PLACING THE BREECHING
1. Begin by standing on the llama's left side with the breeching completely disconnected from the saddle.
2. Put the LOOP END of the strap through the arch of the rear saddle horn in the direction of the llama's head, then loop it back over the top of the horn.
3. Connect the appropriate metal snap to the rear cinch ring.
4. Hold the breeching below tail level with the free snap in your right hand and walk around your llama to the other side. He will probably move toward you as you bring the breeching around (this is to your advantage). Connect the snap to the other rear cinch ring.
5. The perfect placement of the breeching is where the testicles used to be on a gelding. The top edge of the breeching should ride below the testicles on intact males and below the vulva of a female.
6. Connect the DIAGONAL BREECHING STRAPS to the rear cinch side release buckles that point toward the rear of the llama. Tighten these straps only enough to keep the breeching from riding up toward the llama's tail.
7. Snugly tighten the breeching straps connected to the saddle when in use.
8. Walk your llama around to get him used to the breeching. He will dance and possibly kick a bit at first. Repeat the process until he is comfortable with it. You are ready for the panniers.