OT...horses and goats, do they get along?

[farmgirl2477]

We recently adopted a couple of retired polo "ponies" and was wondering if it would be safe to move my goats down to the pasture. Right now they are in the acre up next to the house. I wanted them close since I didnt spend awhole lot of time in the pasture or the barn. Well now that we have the horses I spend alot more time down there, and would like to move the goats down there for a couple of reason. First, I can spend time with both horses and goats at the same time, and second, I can put a swing set up for my son. A nice picnic table would be nice too LOL

ANyway, The horses have been here for 5 days, and as of now they seem to get very aggitated just seeing the goats. Will this change? How can I go about introducing eachother without anyone getting hurt?

Thanks,
Shannon

Oh, they are pygmy goats if that makes any difference. Only 2 of them.

 

[kansas_twister]

when i borded my horse we had a goat in the barn, it was the most destuctive goat i've every seen, billy got along well wtih the horses but never went to graze with them, he went were ever he pleased, billy came to a untimly death due to some dog's , my husbands cousine keeps her horses and goat seprete, JUST MAKE SURE BOTH GOATS AND HORSES ARE UP TO DATE ON SHOTS

 

[merryreader]

I always kept horses and goats together w/o problems. Most horses are careful where they step and won't hurt them intentionally. The goats never bothered anything, except to eat all bushes and strip the bark off trees. And if they ever got out of the fence, they always seemed to eat my favorite bush or flower. I love goats! They have great personalities and are affectionate animals. Don't pet the buck unless you like the STRONG smell of goat!!

Merry

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Thats how I inherited my daughters horse. When they first got her (she two) they asked if we would keep her until they got their paddock done. We have three goats. She was put in the same paddock. By the time they got their paddock finished she was ussed to the goats. When they took her home (next door) she hated it so she kept breaking down the fence to come over here to be with the goats. Finally they asked us to just keep her over here where she was happy. Now the four of them graze together. The only time I have to separate them is feeding time I don't want the goats eating the horse feed. But they eat out of the same hay rack. When the goats get to near she chases them and they get out of her way. I have a part of the yard blocked off the goats can get through but she can't.

 

[keljonma]

It really depends on the specific horse and specific goat and their personalities. I have known some that get along well and other that prefer not to be in the same pasture.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Neighbor up the street has both. Was funny yesterday when I was pulling into the subdivision. Horse is a paint white & tan so are the goats. They were all out by the fence grazing. Looked like on HUGE Goat in with the rest of them. All I could think of was they converted the old Troll in 3 Billy Goat's Gruff in to one of them.

 

[chickbea]

I've never had them together myself, but plenty of folks do with great success. Many racehorses and eventers have bonded to goats and they travel together.
I believe goats also have different tastes in pasture forage than horses do, so maybe they will help keep down undesirable weeds - anybody know?

 

[farmgirl2477]

Ok, then Ill give it a try. Probably wait another week though. I want them to see eachother through the fence as much as possible. Besides there are a couple places that Romp could probably get out, so I have to fix those first.

As for eating weeds...well mine are worthless when it comes to that LOL. They are cute, so thats good enough for me LOL

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[CarriBrown]

Quote:
Goats have a way of calming eventing and race horses down. It probably has something to do with the herding instinct. Both are herders and prey animals. I've seen horses and goats get along great. I'm sure, just like everything else, they just have to get used to each other.

 

[bobbieguyette]

I had a billy goat as a kid with my pony and they shared a barn and the goat ate my ponys tail and just last year i had a old mini mare with a beautiful long tail and my goat that I had for 4 yrs ate her tail also so just something to keep in mind goats eat anything including tails and feathers!:|