Goat Wagon Questions

myminifarm · #1 04/27/08, 07:57 AM

Does anyone here use their goats to pull a cart or wagon???
I just bought a wagon & don't know what I need to hook the goats up to it. One of the goats I have at one time had pulled carts in the past. If anyone can give me some info I'd sure appreciate it.

Here are some pics of the wagon, not sure if it is set up for one or two animals so I don't know if I need any other parts besides some kind of harnesses if I want to just have one pulling it.

I plan to use the wagon & the goat (any maybe my Dexter cows) at a small farm stand this season, hoping that it will bring in more customers.

Or any info for hooking goats up to this also since I have goats too.

KimM · #2 04/27/08, 08:32 AM

If that is a full-size wagon, it's too big for goats to pull. They would strain too much pulling and the weight and momentum of the wagon would be too much for them to stop it. A team of Dexters might work though.

mpete · #3 04/27/08, 03:07 PM

beautiful wagon, but Kim is right. It looks full size. I would try the Dexters.

Goatguy · #4 04/29/08, 09:31 AM

It think it would work... but your going to need to be much more organized, probably needing a team of 4 full size whethers to pull that cart. Check out the fellow Chet McCartny (I think that was his name) he woudl often harness 10 or more goats to a HUGE cart to pull. It can be done if you want it to be done! Your going to need lots of friendly large wethers to do this, also you will need 6 harnesses or so (they can be purchased online).

To start, i would train 2 goats to pull a smaller cart first, then when they are proficient, add 2 goats behind those two, the goats in the back will catch on very quickly and you will have a very neat and unique set up with that wagon. Good Luck and I'll expect pictures if you decide to proceed!

And just to emphasize one more time, It has been done before, you can do it again, don't be discouraged by the "wagon is too big" crowd, you'll just need a few more goats than expected.

KimM · #5 04/29/08, 02:16 PM

If you want a wagon to hitch goats to, have a mini size wagon made or buy one that fits them. Just because some things have been done before, doesn't mean it's a good idea.