One vehicle/two jobs?? Ponies and goats.

[Ashemont]

Actually it’s one goat for the freezer and two who are definite pets (they earn their keep by clearing brush). The two pet ones might be fun to try to break to harness. I’m sure the grandbaby would love it

The one for the freezer probably won’t go into MY freezer (although, having lived in India I’ve eaten lots of goat meat and do like it). I’m thinking of trading it to Bill’s assistant for some help getting my new pony started He’s been begging me for one of the goats since they were born.

It’s funny about Phoenix and Mehru. The other horses were timid at first and now don’t pay the goats any mind at all. Phoenix will go by them cautiously but if Mehru is anywhere around and snorts… well then heads go up and the little goats become big horse-eating beasties :uhoh:

[gothedistance]

My hubby would love to get some goats, but we already have sheep who are zero problem. We always keep one lamb for the freezer – the rest bring too much money for me to be tempted to keep one or two more.

Frankly, the 1/2 Arab would be a perpetual state of alarm if I had a goat on the place – would not eat or sleep or drink. I would probably come out one morning to find him flat out in a stress induced coma. Idiot pony. Glad none of my neighbors are inclined to have anything that bleats “maaaaah!” My pony would be in the next county in a heartbeat! :lol:

[Painted_Wings]

I have never had a problem with the horses being afraid of my goats. In fact it’s a great training tool as I tie my horses to my trailer for tacking up and the goats come running up behind them all the time. I’ve never had a problem with horses and goats. I’m amazed to hear that other people have. Now Donkeys on the other hand…

[Diamantcats]

hehe I found youtube thing to prove that goats and horses suit togehter :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wi_9n_BxDI

[didgery]

I’ve had a few ponies in with my goats and no one has batted an eye . . . I have a nice old Hony who sometimes chases them when she’s feeling frisky, but she doesn’t get up the speed to do any damage. The goats have a “creep” setup so that they can return to their own paddock and loafing shed without the ponies following, and the eight of them often stand in the shade together in the afternoon.

[nj2]

I pass a gentlemens farmette on my way to work that has:
sicilian donkeys, goats, jacob sheep, alpaca, scotch highland cattle and a few large ponies/arabs. They are kind of mix and match as to who is out in which of the 3 large pastures but usually at least 3 types in each. (They only have 3-4 of each sort, so its not crowded)

We boarded at one place that had goats. They were hell on wheels to anybodys fancy car (liked to slide off the hood) but the horses learned to tolerate them. They could get into the horse stalls that only had stall guard chain closures, so those horses had to be quick with their feed - goats would eat up any leftovers.
The goats were also good at shedding out the horses bellies in the spring, by walking back and forth UNDER the horses. We always had sleek belly hairs in the spring
My old Hackney Mel had a fascination for sheep and would stand for hours watching them at a neighboring farm (on boarding situation) then we moved to a farm WITH sheep. Sometimes hed watch them and others they bored him. They were not turned out together with the sheep.

[Yip]

Do you have to buy harnesses for all 3 right at the beginning?

Before I bought Cookie a harness, I used her regular bridle, a training surcingle, and a set of nylon lines. A get-up like that would work for the pony indefinitely while training till you get a cart, and only cost about $20 for the surcingle and about $25 for the lines. I don’t see any reason you must have a harness until just before you’re ready to train to a vehicle.

Now, I have no idea if they even mfg. that for goats. I expect you’ll have to buy goat harnesses.

Wendy
NC

[Painted_Wings]

I just found thsi photo

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2625151080052639572bmmJSd

Cute goat. I wish I had one that big.

This is another Chronofhorse member SLW

I noticed she also drives a pony

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2754229800052639572dTRvDS

You might try her. She lives near KC. She frequents the foxhunt forum.

[didgery]

Painted Wings - I love the photos! What a gorgeous pony!!

I had meant to come back and update, so I’m glad you bumped the thread. I made a very serviceable goat harness last week out of nylon seatbelt straps, and I bought a heavy duty garden cart at the hardware store. I haven’t spent much at all and I am just about ready to go! My husband is going to help me make a single tree and some shafts. While we wait, I’ll work on teaching my young goat basic manners and leading/tying/steering skills so that he’s ready to be harness trained when he matures.

I figured that with my pony I might start by driving him in his saddle and bridle . . . running long reins through the run-up stirrups . . . since I haven’t a bitting harness or surcingle. I think he’d pick it up quickly, as he’s a sensible, willing little guy.

In any case, thanks for the bump. I’ll let you know how things come along!

[goodhors]

[QUOTE=didgery;3387900]
and leading/tying/steering skills so that he’s ready to be harness trained when he matures.

I figured that with my pony I might start by driving him in his saddle and bridle . . . running long reins through the run-up stirrups . . . since I haven’t a bitting harness or surcingle. I think he’d pick it up quickly, as he’s a sensible, willing little guy. [/QUOTE]

You should practice going by new, scary things while leading the goat, using your commands. Get him quiet while led, and he will be less excitable in harness. I guess they can be as silly as any other animal if new stuff startles them.

I would suggest leaving the stirrups down on the saddle, and then tying them together under his belly, for long reining or long lining work. This makes the stirrups stay in place, not swinging out, sliding down or being up too high on his body with the lines thru them. Swinging stirrups will add a LOT of difficulty, delay time, in how the reins work to his mouth.

We have a ground driving class in our Fair this year. Kids can use saddles or surcingles to drive with. Tied down stirrups are in the list of required items, if using the saddle. Surcingles are ok, but rein/line rings down lower on the side of animal, are required. This keeps the animal BETWEEN the lines. Stirrup can’t come up and flop over his back, swing out. Animal can’t turn around under the lines going along his spine area. Safer for the kids and animals, in learning how to drive.

Glad to hear of your progress.

[Painted_Wings]

I ground drive my youngsters with my Wintec saddle. I switch to a regular driving harness when I go to the drag. I actually built a drag myself out of 4x4s and 1 x 4 s. It works really well if you don’t need wheels. It’s great for really teaching a horse or pony to pull. I used to put a hay bale on it and ride around with it. Haven’t done that in a while though. I would also stand on it surfer style.