Want one goat. Is that impossible?

[cassie]

It is not at all uncommon for a goat to be used as a companion to a racehorse. This has been done for years.

 

[Callender Girl]

I don't think your idea is silly at all. Yes, goats need companions. But my first goat was a bottle baby (my friend had a petting zoo and didn't have time or energy to care for an orphan) who grew up in my house full of dogs and thought he, too, was one of the pack. In fact, when we got him a goat kid companion, Rocky ran away from Artie and back to his best buddy, a Labrador retriever-Great Dane mix.

When Artie got sick, my country vet took him to her place for some intense medical care and had him in her barn. He apparently got lonely, broke out of the stall twice, and both times, she found him hanging out with her chickens.

So, I think a goat-horse friendship would be great, and buying single goats off Craigslist has worked for me. Good luck!

 

[NatJ]

sorry I hit the wrong button it should work now

Does it work when you click on it?

Because it looks right when I see it on the screen, but when I click on it, the : turns into some combination of characters, and it still doesn't work right.

(I already manually corrected it and read the page, just wanted to let you know that, at least on my computer, it's still doing weird things.)

 

[CJLR]

Does it work when you click on it?

Because it looks right when I see it on the screen, but when I click on it, the : turns into some combination of characters, and it still doesn't work right.

(I already manually corrected it and read the page, just wanted to let you know that, at least on my computer, it's still doing weird things.)

ok I think it should work now

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

I think it is a great idea. However I would not get a little breed just b/c of the horses size, maybe a Boer goat?

 

[Weeg]

I think it is a great idea. However I would not get a little breed just b/c of the horses size, maybe a Boer goat?

The Pigme goat we have is treated like our mares baby. Little breeds are great if not better. Any breed from a Nigerian dwarf to a larger breed will work.

 

[Baumshell28]

Several people beat me to the “punch”...if you go to a race track and walk thru the stall area, you are likely to see many of the racehorses have a goat tied by their door. At “home” you wouldn’t find that goat tied up, but usually very close to its horse BFF. Having their friend with them at the track has a calming effect for the horse. If no goat breeders/sellers will sell you one companion goat, and you have a racetrack within driving distance, then go there. If someone there doesn’t have one to sell you for your companion purpose, then they should know someone who will. It is an EXTREMELY COMMON practice, just make sure they know you want the goat as a companion, not a singular pet.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

The Pigme goat we have is treated like our mares baby. Little breeds are great if not better. Any breed from a Nigerian dwarf to a larger breed will work.

Oh, OK I was just speculating

 

[alwaystj9]

Yes, one goat as a horse companion will work well. I have pygmies & Nigi's (miniatures) specifically because they cannot get rear up and get in my horse's feed tub. Consider how you feed your horse and remember that goats are food crazy animals. I would not recommend any goat under 12 weeks, make sure it's weaned, neutered and easily caught! You may want to consider a dehorned goat for safety (for the horse) Make sure your fences are goat proof.
My horse is very protective of her goat herd and can be difficult when separated.

 

[Baumshell28]

Yes, one goat as a horse companion will work well. I have pygmies & Nigi's (miniatures) specifically because they cannot get rear up and get in my horse's feed tub. Consider how you feed your horse and remember that goats are food crazy animals. I would not recommend any goat under 12 weeks, make sure it's weaned, neutered and easily caught! You may want to consider a dehorned goat for safety (for the horse) Make sure your fences are goat proof.
My horse is very protective of her goat herd and can be difficult when separated.

I just saw that you’re from Louisiana too! I live in Gonzales. If you aren’t familiar, it’s just southeast of Baton Rouge. I used to live in Breaux Bridge and wayyyyyy back in the ‘90s my Paint horse was a “pony horse” at the Evangeline Downs Racetrack.
Anyways, just wanted to say Hey Neighbor!