Draft goats?

Lady89 · #1 12/30/14, 05:29 PM

So I was reading a homesteading book that in the goat chapter put forth the idea of using them as draft animals, and the fact that in some places goats are used this way as a rule. So that got me thinking wethers could earn a keep doing more than just being a friend for your breeding buck. Like pulling a small cart of vegetables at harvest time or helping move feed and bedding. Has anyone tried this and are they hard to train for work?

**mygoat** · #2 12/30/14, 05:38 PM

I have one who is trained as such as a novelty. I don't think there's anywhere that only use goats as cart animals though, but there is a history of using them for that purpose. Mine is trained to pull but he doesn't really like it and if he doesn't want to do it anymore he just lays down and refuses. He's like 250lbs and more than capable of pulling me anywhere I want him to, he just doesn't want to, lol. (I weigh about half of what he does, and heavens knows he hasn't ever been 'worked hard' in his life)

It's mostly a novelty thing, or at least I don't see much practicality in it. If I want to move something, it's easier just to grab the wagon handle myself and move it. The trouble of harnessing and then trying to get anything done while holding one of the leads in my hand while doing whatever it is to fill up the wagon doesn't sound fun. You'd have to have a very well trained or special goat that would voluntarily just stand there bored out of it's mind while you filled the cart or whatever.

billinwv · #3 12/30/14, 05:42 PM

When I was a SMALL child I had a goat that pulled me cart(spoiled child). Nice harness that fit perfectly, light weight cart. Great fun for a trip around the house and such. A few veggies brought from the garden might be doable, heavy bedding I would say no. I just don't think goats are built for it. The goat supply retailers have harnesses and backpacks. A friend had a pair of 300lb plus Saanen wethers though, now that may be another story. I have never encountered a goat that big before or since.

dlskidmore · #4 12/30/14, 05:56 PM

http://workinggoats.com/?id=80

Lady89 · #5 12/30/14, 06:02 PM

I live in a hilly place with lots of little rocky creaks and tree roots so i an concerned that any draft animal less careful of its footing then a goat could end up turning a hoof the wrong way. i was just thinking for light work like fire wood and such a goat would be just the right size and it would be a fun way to bond with my goat boys. If I petted and gave treats i was thinking i could trick the boys into thinking of it as a fun game

where I want to · #6 12/30/14, 06:10 PM

I can imagine that one of my girls might be persuaded to be lead pulling a light load but, since they basically refuse as a matter of principle to take the risk of going anywhere first, I think driving would mean the fastest route back to the hay bunker.

Ford Zoo · #7 12/30/14, 06:43 PM

My internet is not cooperating, but if you go to You Tube and search for "goats pulling stage coach" you should find a team of 4 goats doing just that. (I think the coach may be a bit heavy for them), and there are others. I think with a lot of time and the right goat, pulling anything could be fun! I kept back a wether to do this, plan to start him as soon as it gets warm out

Kasidy · #8 12/30/14, 06:50 PM

My wethers (buck companions) have always been trained to drive and pull a wagon. My sil made a set of shafts that quickly replace the wagon tongue when I want to drive a goat. The grandkids and other children love to go for goat rides--half a mile up the field and back. None of the does drive (ie controlled by reins from a wagon occupant), but any that I have harnessed have always willingly pulled the wagon while they are led.
But it is just a fun summer thing. I think it would take me longer to catch the goat and harness him up than it does to pull the wagon or push the barrow full of hay, dirt, veggies etc. myself!
I have found the wethers very easy to train. I start them on a very small wagon that i walk behind when they are seven or eight months old. Don't expect them to pull much of a load until they are a year and half to two years old. I had a huge Nubian wether who could pull me and the grandkids--over 200 lbs up the pasture and back with no problem at all. But you are right about the speed increasing on the way back to the barn and the COB reward dish!!

dozedotz · #9 12/30/14, 07:08 PM

I hope this is not 'stealing the thread!' Have you considered them as riding animals? We are expecting twin children in our family next spring and have been looking for ponies...it was suggested on the Equine portion of HT that we use wethers for the purpose...that they do great for carrying small kids and do not require the care that ponies need...also, they can be returned to the goat herd when not being ridden. We are still thinking about it...and when I saw your post wondered if that would work in your circumstances??

billinwv · #10 12/30/14, 07:18 PM

Nope. No riding. Just can't see it.

Ford Zoo · #11 12/30/14, 07:26 PM

I think using a goat to get small children used to riding is OK, as long as the goat fits the kid and no harm is done

There's some awful large goats out there that can tolerate a little one for short times!

Farmer2B · #12 12/30/14, 08:00 PM

Have seen and trained a few Nubians to this task - basically began with them as kids and got them to follow me with treats. Worked pretty well but got to be a real pain when I didn't want them to follow me. No lead needed

**mygoat** · #13 12/30/14, 08:45 PM

I can ride my 250lb wether. Just ask him when I try to restrain him by straddling him.

dlskidmore · #14 12/31/14, 05:25 AM

Small children not much different from heavy packs? Look up "pack goat". It is more common than goat driving as the goats can handle terrain that few other pack animals and no cart can.

Clovers_Clan · #15 12/31/14, 07:31 AM

Google "goat man georgia foxfire" :-)

bluefish · #16 12/31/14, 08:44 AM

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t/IMG_1649.jpg

1sttimemom · #17 12/31/14, 11:25 AM

My daughter used to sit on our huge stocky lamancha buck and he would walk all over with her
He didn't even notice the weight and is the gentlest of bucks. She has since moved up to a mini pony and now a Welch. The buck could prob still easily carry her tho. She is 8 but rather petite.

dozedotz · #18 12/31/14, 12:19 PM

OK, OK, you have totally convinced me that we really need to consider keeping a set of wethers for the twins to ride!! LOL. All of those pictures are really cute!

**mygoat** · #19 12/31/14, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thermopkt

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...t/IMG_1649.jpg

Soooooo you steer by grabbing those handles there?

bluefish · #20 12/31/14, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mygoat

Soooooo you steer by grabbing those handles there?

You've heard of 'oh ---- handles' in a car?