Choose one thing, and do it very well...

Ford Zoo · #1 09/21/12, 02:59 PM

I started out in February with the 4 goats I've had for a few years. Then came more. Then my favorite died and we butchered another, then came a few more, and a few more-all part of a master plan. I am currently at 15, quite a leap from February.

I have secretly been thinking that if there were no horses in the big barn, OH the room I would have for more goat pens to make this all come together! I finally told DH my secret plan today. We discussed the pros and cons for some time.

I have just listed my favorite gelding on CL's. I am somewhat out of sorts about it, but everytime I go to the goat barn I find myself where I want to be. I have become a goat addict, something my family (other than my DH and DC's) will never understand.

Dusky Beauty · #2 09/21/12, 03:05 PM

"Choose one thing, and do it very well..."

And with that maxim in mind, I'd advise a fellow homesteader to be careful about maintaining animals that align with your long term goals. If you want milk production, keep and breed only the best milkers, if you want show conformation, keep and breed for that. If you want color, or meatiness, etc.
I'm forever trimming "the fat" from my poultry yard like that.

Minelson · #3 09/21/12, 04:17 PM

The thought has crossed my mind with my horses. But I just love them too and I don't think I could ever sell them. Plus I still do ride. But most of my time, energy and enjoyment comes from the goats. It just would be easier and less expensive without the horses. But I love my horses!

andabigmac · #4 09/21/12, 04:37 PM

I'm having the same issues with my horses. I adore them but when I have an hour to spend outside I prefer to do it with my goats. I don't have anyone to ride with though.

JBarGFarmKeeper · #5 09/21/12, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Zoo

I started out in February with the 4 goats I've had for a few years. Then came more. Then my favorite died and we butchered another, then came a few more, and a few more-all part of a master plan. I am currently at 15, quite a leap from February.

I have secretly been thinking that if there were no horses in the big barn, OH the room I would have for more goat pens to make this all come together! I finally told DH my secret plan today. We discussed the pros and cons for some time.

I have just listed my favorite gelding on CL's. I am somewhat out of sorts about it, but everytime I go to the goat barn I find myself where I want to be. I have become a goat addict, something my family (other than my DH and DC's) will never understand.

Go, go, go...(I love my goats!)

As far as the horses go, my opinion doesn't count. Our neighbors next door own horses. She works to support her horses...seriously. I rarely see her ride them and they produce NOTHING. They are an object lesson for my children. See, we only have animals here that PRODUCE! I do understand your dilemma.

Clovers_Clan · #6 09/21/12, 05:07 PM

I have found my own personal choice to do one thing and do it well... has become diversity. It has been a pleasure juggling all my different critters. It can be a real headache sometimes. But they all enrich my life and enrich each other's lives(In very practical ecological ways!). I find the times I get stressed out most are when I have too much of a good thing. Too many chickens, too many eggs, too many pens, too much feed... I sold all but my best dozen and now I'm enjoying them again. Have a couple of horses that don't get ridden much but they do a good job of mowing the grass(at times I wonder if I should just trade them in for minis and a cart - sounds like fun). Had too many meat goats, trimmed the herd, just right. This year I bought some dairy goats, just enough to enjoy. I know I don't have enough of anything for a serious breeding program of any sort. But that's okay for me.

CaliannG · #7 09/21/12, 06:22 PM

I know the feeling.

I have one, single horse left. Sold all of the others because I started seeing them as critters that take resources away from the goats. Sold all but the bare necessity of tack for that one horse.

I have loved horses for all of my life, and it was very strange for me to realize, deep inside, that my horses were a luxury item and did not fit in with my philosophy. My place is not big enough to justify a team of drafts, or even a single draft.

Maybe I'll train that mare for light draft...although I can't think of anything around here that could not be handled by a cart goat......

My name is Caliann, and I am a goat addict....

Ford Zoo · #8 09/21/12, 06:56 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts. Part of me feels selfish, part of me knows that I need to stay focused on one thing so I have time to relax and enjoy.

Minelson · #9 09/21/12, 08:00 PM

Oh and the guilt feeling when I don't get much riding time in ....blahhhhhh!!!

The Tin Mom · #10 09/21/12, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBarGFarmKeeper

Go, go, go...(I love my goats!)

As far as the horses go, my opinion doesn't count. Our neighbors next door own horses. She works to support her horses...seriously. I rarely see her ride them and they produce NOTHING. They are an object lesson for my children. See, we only have animals here that PRODUCE! I do understand your dilemma.

Gena, you sound just like me! Dh hastily reminds me that there are working horses (but not our neighbor's - and we don't have the knowledge to raise working horses). I don't even have to remind my dc that a horse is just a bigger, less productive animal to maintain, they have helped with the neighbor's and say it themselves!

PKBoo · #11 09/21/12, 09:09 PM

I completely understand Ford Zoo! We have a bunch of everything that we've been dabbling in, but these goats have just gotten under both of our skins!

I feel 'settled' and 'at home' when I'm with them. Peaceful, and content. I love the sheep, but the feeling that I get from the goats is like the feeling I get from spinning - it settles my soul.

So I'm going to downsize the sheep herd, keeping only the best woolies to feed my spinning addiction, and increase the goat herd, to fulfill THAT addiction!

Aahhh, life is good

CaliannG · #12 09/21/12, 09:24 PM

PKBoo, why not just add lots of Cashmeres and Angoras to your goat herd for your spinning addiction?

Not that I am enabling or anything.

Ford Zoo · #13 09/21/12, 09:58 PM

A good horsey friend whom I trust very much has just told me she may have a trusted buyer for my Pepper. I feel a bit of relief. Maybe nothing will come of it and I will find time to ride this winter. Time will tell...