Every year I have kept dairy goats, there have been baby goats.I usually sell them, even though they are always very cute.When there are male goats to sell, I always tell the buyers, that they can be used to pull carts. This year I decided to try cart training myself!
I had several very cute male goats that were altered, becoming 'wethers'. One really stood out by being a little stronger, smarter, and cuter than the rest.He is named Alert, for a Coast Guard Cutter docked here. I worked with him the most, but it turned out to be a better herd leader than a harness goat. He is always first to the pasture, smelling and looking around to make sure it's safe for everyone, and sounds the alarm if there is movement in the bushes (usually just me).
There are two wethers close to Alert's size, Jack and Ace. Since they aren't leaders with Alert around, they were curious, and interested in the the cart. I made the little cart from old bike wheels, some new steel parts from
the hardware store, and some scrap lumber. My mom sewed the harness
straps from some polyester canvas with strips of goat feed bags to
strengthen. The little stand that held my sign just sat on top of the
decking. I couldn't resist little ties so they looked cute for the
parade.
Since they were 4 month old babies at the time, we just practiced a few minutes each day, pulling the cart on the road turnout by my house. The parade route was just one mile long and luckily they got through the whole route, though the last few blocks took some coaxing! I am so proud of them!
Once they are a little bigger, I hope to train one or both to a larger harness I have for a small pony's cart.
