Sopris Rigged Ralide Pack Saddle

"When the Ralide saddle was first introduced to the llama market in 1984, I have to admit that I was skeptical. I didn’t like the looks of it; it appeared to be too large and the rigging was a nightmare. Since that time, however, the Ralide has performed day in and day out in commercial pack strings across the country.

Bill Redwood, an outfitter friend of mine, was persistent in telling me that this was a very good saddle. I got to thinking that in the decade that I’ve been in the llama pack business, I’ve never heard of a Ralide saddle causing a sore, nor have I heard of any llama behavior problem associated with this saddle.

Bill’s insistence and the Ralide’s record convinced me that I needed to take a closer look. I rigged the tree to Sopris standards to make it easy to use and interchangeable with all Sopris pack gear. I tested it on a wide range of llamas in Bill’s commercial pack string and on our pack clinic trips.

I found it to be extremely stable in rough terrain while carrying heavy, awkward loads--which means it fits the llama well, which means it’s comfortable. The Ralide is durable and it’s economical.

Now Mt. Sopris Llamas is the only llama equipment dealership authorized to sell Ralide pack trees. If you are an outfitter, if you lease llamas, if you need a heavy use pack for hunting, trail work and so forth, and if you are not overly concerned about aesthetics, the Sopris Rigged Ralide Pack Saddle is for you."   ~Charlie Hackbarth

ABANCÕS Alpaca Extravaganza
February 22-24, 2008 in Longmont, CO

Southwest Regional Alpaca Show
March 7-9, 2008 in Phoenix, AZ

Southern States Llama Association Conference (Charlie will be conducting a clinic at this Conference)
March 27-30, 2008 in Pigeon Forge, TN

Spring Celebrity Llama Sale
April 4-6, 2008 in Oklahoma City, OK

Grand Mesa/Kokopelli Llama Show
April 25-27, 2008 in Grand Junction, CO

Cascade Llama and Alpaca Sale
(Charlie will be conducting a clinic at this Sale)
May 3-4, 2008 in Stevenson, WA

Pack Llamafest
May 15-17, 2008 in Plains, MT

AOBA National Conference
May 21-25, 2008 in Sandy, UT

Estes Park Wool Market
June 11-15, 2008 in Estes Park, CO

National Goat Packing Rendezvous
June 19-22, 2008 in Vernal, UT

LOCC Fall Classic
August 29-31, 2008 in Castle Rock, CO

Taos Wool Market
October 4-5, 2008 in Taos, NM

Grand National Llama Show
October 24-28, 2008 in Lincoln, NE

Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies
November 14-16, 2008 in Loveland, CO

Save 5% when you buy a complete pack system
(saddle, cinches, chest strap & breeching, pad and panniers)