Almost Killed my Goat..

stevenryals · #1 01/31/10, 04:34 PM

So, we have 6' fencing around the goat pin.

Oreo, our boy (not so much, he's been banded) snuck out while I was building a partition in the barn.

So, I go to retrieve him.. I grabbed his collar, just like always, and we walked back to the pin. As I got to the gate he bucked back as hard as he could and slung his head back (obviously not too happy about getting caught).. I heard a loud crack from his neck, and instantly he went limp.. he was on his belly with front legs out straight in front flat on the ground and back legs laying uncomfortably behind him. He began to convulse and was shaking like crazy. I was completely frozen and quite freaked out.. this lasted about 15 seconds (seemed like a lifetime).. I sat there thinking "holy ***** I've killed him"..

after about 15-20 seconds, he shook his head quickly and stood up and walked away.. like nothing ever happened?

what in the world was that?

Bearfootfarm · #2 01/31/10, 05:05 PM

Sounds like a pinched nerve

stevenryals · #3 01/31/10, 05:08 PM

It was crazy.. It was like he was having a seizure..

mamajohnson · #4 01/31/10, 06:00 PM

oh man! I know that was scary!
Last summer my hard headed alpine doe was bucking coming in and I think something similar happened. She did the whole shaking thing, but not like a seizure. Now when I grab a collar I lift up towards the chin, just to avoid that.

stevenryals · #5 01/31/10, 06:02 PM

we have drwarfs, so we just took the collar off.. i'll just pick him up from now on..

HappyFarmer · #6 01/31/10, 06:20 PM

Yes there's a pressure point on the neck that when led can make that happen. It happens sometimes when I'm training an adult goat to lead and they resist, then I wrap a rope around the rear (a come-along) and teach them that way. I don't remember the details but I do beleive you can seriously maime a goat.

This is just one reason why I train every single kid how to lead before they are sold, not to mention they are easier to handle & move.
HF

prairiedog · #7 02/01/10, 07:25 AM

Halters work great and don't put so much pressure on the neck

Backfourty,MI. · #8 02/01/10, 07:37 AM

WOW, That would be very scarey! So glad he's alright now!

stevenryals · #9 02/01/10, 07:56 AM

not a single side-effect.. he's fine.. running around and climbing on stuff.. how weird..

fishhead · #10 02/01/10, 08:38 AM

It sounds like a vertebrae shifted and pinched the nerve.

stevenryals · #11 02/01/10, 09:46 AM

guess he shifted it back with all the shaking..??

betsy h. · #12 02/01/10, 11:35 AM

He fainted.

The collar pressed against the pressure point that caused him to 'black out' and he simply went limp. I've seen this in goats that do not want to lead and also those who are overly greedy at the food dish. they just pass out.

stevenryals · #13 02/01/10, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betsy h.

He fainted.

The collar pressed against the pressure point that caused him to 'black out' and he simply went limp. I've seen this in goats that do not want to lead and also those who are overly greedy at the food dish. they just pass out.

Could that also explain the shaking?

betsy h. · #14 02/01/10, 01:26 PM

Yes, been there, done that.