Goat packers

[Kharper]

Meet Dave and Ab, the world's greatest pack goats in training. This is my first attempt at training kids. They are well bonded, stay with me when we run and hike, load in the truck easily and generally everything seems to be going well so far. However, one thing I haven't been able to figure out so far is to get them to lead in a string. I have been attaching them collar to collar, but I'm not sure this is the best way. Any recommendations as to how to train these guys? Collar to collar, do I need to try halters, do I need to wait until they are big enough to attach pack to pack, or what? Also, what do you consider to be the best length of rope between goats? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Jeremyc_1999]

Tagged for interest. Pack Goats has been something that has been intriguing me

 

[mtmuley]

https://www.napga.org/2019/07/07/proposed-packgoat-ban-in-colorado/ This is interesting. mtmuley

 

[brockel]

Meet Dave and Ab, the world's greatest pack goats in training. This is my first attempt at training kids. They are well bonded, stay with me when we run and hike, load in the truck easily and generally everything seems to be going well so far. However, one thing I haven't been able to figure out so far is to get them to lead in a string. I have been attaching them collar to collar, but I'm not sure this is the best way. Any recommendations as to how to train these guys? Collar to collar, do I need to try halters, do I need to wait until they are big enough to attach pack to pack, or what? Also, what do you consider to be the best length of rope between goats? Thanks for any advice.

Lead the lead goat and the rest will follow

 

[brockel]

Testing out the new goat hauler I built

 

[brockel]

Teaching the young goats on being low lined. Also helps to mow around the areas we don’t turn horses out on.

 

[Sawtooth]

Check with @Duck-Slayer as he has had goats for a while and can probably give a few pointers.

 

[brockel]

Lots of info on packgoats.com too. That guy has a lot of YouTube videos too

 

[Duck-Slayer]

All great suggestions. They will naturally follow in a line. Figure out who the lead goat is and just walk. I tether mine together where I live with about 5 1/2 foot long rope w carabiner on each end and hook them together. On the trail there is no need to Tether them together. Also check out Packgoats.com Mark is one of my friends here in the valley and he is a great guy and knows his stuff. If you have any questions you can feel free to PM me and I can help you out. Had fair all week, my son won division champion with Bill, my 2nd in line goat who is a work-a-holic!
Matt

 

[Kharper]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Duck-Slayer]

https://www.napga.org/2019/07/07/proposed-packgoat-ban-in-colorado/ This is interesting. mtmuley

I encourage all of you to write CO and oppose this until there is definitive proof that pack goats are a danger to bighorn sheep. The NAPGA will hopefully get this squashed! Regular sportspersons like all of us need to step up, pretty sure last I checked this is a free country and should be able to take my pack goats anywhere I please! The real problem nobody wants to confront is domestic sheep ranchers are the real problem. And there is definitive proof of that already!
Matt

 

[Trslabaugh]

Look forward to see your progress!

 

[Duck-Slayer]

https://www.napga.org/2019/07/07/proposed-packgoat-ban-in-colorado/ This is interesting. mtmuley

Found this on the meeting they had.
Matt

 

[Kharper]

Took the goats on their longest hike so far over the weekend. They did well, but they were ready to load up once we got back to the truck! Around 5 miles, it's still very hot in Georgia so I'm not wanting to do much more than that until it cools off some.

 

[Duck-Slayer]

Took the goats on their longest hike so far over the weekend. They did well, but they were ready to load up once we got back to the truck! Around 5 miles, it's still very hot in Georgia so I'm not wanting to do much more than that until it cools off some.View attachment 113057

Well? How’s the pack goats working out for you??
Matt

 

[Kharper]

They are doing great, thanks. Pictured is Abe, he is pretty much saddle broke, waiting a little longer to introduce the panniers and a little weight. I have introduced the saddle to Dave, but he hasn't accepted it as well but I think he will be fine with more practice. Got a small buck a few weeks ago, I took them with me on the retrieval to see how they would react around game, no issues at all. Unfortunately I had to do the pack out but their time is coming soon!