4H Goat Projects Compiled by  Adirondack Horse & Goat Lovers 4H Club  Any Questions? >>>518- 637- 5544
	Goat Bowl Questions-Test your Knowledge!   1. How to Build a Goat Cart-website 2. Harnessing Your Goats, Parts of Goat Harness-link 3. North American Packgoat Association website 4. Goat Packing Essentials-What to take on a pack outing  link 5. Training Harness for Goats  link 6. Goat Tracks Magazine , Journal of the Working Goat    website 7. Caprine Supply-Catalog  website 8. Hoegger Goat Supply-Catalog website 9. Training Your Goat to Drive, by CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON link
	Harnessing your goats Parts of the Harness Back Band-Holds everything in place.  Has rings sewn in for holding up the long lines. Back Pad-Acts as a cushion under the back band. Belly Band-Cinch. Breeching-Acts as brakes for the cart.  Should be adjusted as high as possible without interfering with the testicles and not so tight that it rubs sores. Rear Spider-Holds the breeching in place. Chest Piece-Padded piece that actually does the pulling.  Fits across the chest high enough that it does not interfere with the goat's movement but low enough not to choke the goat. Front Spider-Holds the breast piece in place. Shaft Loops-Loops of nylon that hold the shafts up.  Shafts should run through these loops. Tugs-Run from the chest piece to the cart.  Snap on the end should snap to single tree or cart hooks to pull the cart of wagon. Hold Back Straps-Should run from breeching forward to loops on shaft of cart (or can be attached to shaft loops) to anchor the breeching.  When cart stops the hold back straps and breeching work as a brake to stop the cart before it hits the back of the goat. Hold Down Straps-Loop through the Dee rings on the belly band and come up and wrap around the shafts and then buckles to itself.  Purpose is to hold the shafts down so the cart does not flip over backwards. Bridle-Includes a brow band, chin strap, nose band, and bit.  The nose band and chin strap can be removed to make things easier. Long Lines-The reins for steering the goat from behind.  Run from the bit through the rings on the top on the back band. Terrets-Metal loops on top of the backband.  Hold the long lines up, long lines pass through the Terrets to the handler. Other Examples: SINGLE HARNESS  The hold back strap goes threw the loop on the shaft. The cart shafts are run threw the shaft loop and the hold down straps, not shown, goes threw the girth side ring and is wrap around the shaft to keep the cart from tipping up.  The tugs go over the harness and hook to the single tree. TEAM HARNESS  This view shows how reins are attached to a team. In team driving, the harness is attached slightly different than a single harness. The breast strap ring is attached to the tongue of the wagon and the breast strap to the center ring on the girth and hold back strap is attached to the center ring on the girth.
	Packing Essentials: -1st Aid Kit (for humans & animals) -Water!!! -Map & Compass -Waterproof Matches -Whistle & Signal Mirror -ID (on humans & animals) -Knife -Rope -Rain and/or Snow Gear -Space Blanket -Emergency Food (human & animal) -Spare Clothing -Sunscreen & Bug Repellant
	TRAINING YOUR GOAT TO DRIVE By Christine Livingston- 1369 Battle St. Webster, NH 03303 (603) 648-6641 I AM A PROJECT LEADER FOR THE CAPRINE CAPERS 4-H DAIRY GOAT CLUB IN WEBSTER, NH. MY SON MATTHEW AND I HAVE SPENT THE PAST 2 YEARS WORKING WITH DRIVING GOATS. MY BACKGROUND INCLUDES EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING HORSES TO DRIVE SO I SIMPLY TOOK THOSE PRINCIPLES AND APPLIED THEM TO DRIVING GOATS. IT HAS WORKED VERY WELL!  OUR SAANEN DOE HAS DONE VERY WELL WITH HER TRAINING. SHE HAS COMPETED IN SEVERAL DAIRY GOAT DRIVING OBSTACLE COURSES AT NEW HAMPSHIRE FAIRS THIS PAST 2 YEARS AND HAS WON ALL HER CLASSES. MY SON HAS USED HER IN PARADES AND FOR A DRIVING PRESENTATION AT CORNISH FAIR LAST YEAR.  THIS YEAR HE WILL TRAIN HER YEARLING SON TO DRIVE AND TAKE HER PLACE.  THIS IS HOW WE DID IT: REMEMBER THESE KEY WORDS AS YOU TRAIN YOUR GOAT:  REPETITION, CONSISTENCY AND REWARD!!! THERE ARE 6 STEPS IN THE TRAINING PROCESS OF TEACHING A GOAT TO PULL A CART. WETHERS (ALTERED MALES) ARE MOST COMMONLY USED FOR PULLING ANIMALS.  SELECT A WETHER FROM RATHER LARGE PARENTAGE IF POSSIBLE.  THEY WILL SIMPLY BE ABLE TO PULL MORE WEIGHT WITH EASE.  SELECT AN ANIMAL WITH A QUIET, COOPERATIVE AND FRIENDLY TEMPERMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE APT TO WANT TO PLEASE YOU.  GOATS ARE SMART AND EASY TO TRAIN, HOWEVER THE EARLIER YOU BEGIN YOUR TRAINING THE EASIER IT WILL BE. STEP 1: LEAD TRAINING COLLAR TRAINING VOICE COMMANDS HALTER LEADING PUT A COLLAR ON YOUR GOAT AND WORK WITH HIM EVERY DAY FOR A FEW MINUTES. BEGIN BY HOLDING HIM BY THE COLLAR.  NEXT, MOVE ON TO LEADING HIM ALONG BY THE COLLAR. EVERY TIME YOU MOVE HIM FORWARD USE THE COMMAND "GIT UP" AND EVERY TIME YOU STOP USE THE COMMAND " WHOA". WHEN USING THE TERM "GIT UP" RAISE YOUR VOICE TO A HIGHER PITCH AS YOU SAY THE WORD.  WHEN USING THE TERM "WHOA", MAKE YOUR VOICE LOWER AND DEEPER TOWARD THE END OF THE WORD. WHEN YOUR WEATHER LEADS WELL ATTACH A LEAD ROPE TO HIS COLLAR AND PRACTICE WALKING AND STOPPING ON COMMAND. NEXT INTRODUCE THE HALTER.  ALLOW YOUR GOAT TO SMELL IT BEFORE YOU PUT IT ON HIM. WORK WITH HIM TO GET HIM USED TO BEING FUSSED WITH AROUND THE FACE AND HAVING HIS EARS MOVED TO PUT THE HALTER ON. LET HIM WEAR, EAT AND TRAIN WHILE HE HAS IT ON. LEAD HIM AROUND USING THE APPROPRIATE COMMANDS UNTIL HE CAN DO IT ALL.  INTRODUCE HIM TO BACKING UP. TO DO THIS SIMPLY PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE HALTER UNDER HIS CHIN AND GENTLY PULL BACKWARD WHILE GIVING HIM THE COMMAND  "BACK".  SAY THE WORD IN A FIRM AND LOW VOICE. YOU MAY NEED TO PRESS GENTLY ON HIS SHOULDER TO ENCOURAGE THE BACKWARD DIRECTION AT FIRST. THIS COMMAND WILL COME IN VERY HANDY LATER WHEN YOU HAVE HIM HITCHED TO A CART.  IF YOU WANT YOUR GOAT TO BE STEADY OR TAKE IT EASY YOU CAN ENCOURAGE HIM TO DO SO BY SAYING THE WORD "EASY" IN A  SLOW, DEEP, GENTLE  VOICE. THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOUR WETHER LEARN THE BASICS OF LEADING AND RESPONDING TO VOICE COMMANDS WHICH WILL COME IN HANDY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO DIRECT HIM WHILE HE IS HITCHED TO A CART. HE WILL ALSO LEARN TO BECOME COMFORTABLE WITH YOU FUSSING ABOUT HIS HEAD TO PUT ON THE HALTER AND COLLAR. TIP: ALWAYS TRAIN YOUR GOAT IN THE SAME LOCATION EVERY DAY, PREFERABLY AWAY FROM THE BARN AREA. THIS WAY THE GOAT WILL KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, UNDERSTANDS THE BEHAVIOR EXPECTED OF HIM AND GETS INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE WORK WHEN HE GETS THERE. START WITH SHORT TRAINING SESSIONS, LENGTHENING THEM AS THE GOAT MATURES OR CATCHES ON TO THE TRAINING.-  Page 1 INTRO TO TEACHING YOUR GOAT TO DRIVE- Page 2 BY CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON STEP 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE BRIDLE AND HARNESS FAMILIARIZE YOUR GOAT WITH THE BRIDLE INTRODUCE HIM TO THE HARNESS NOTE: YOU WILL NEED A HELPER FROM THIS POINT FORWARD FOR BOTH SAFETY REASONS AND EASE OF TRAINING. BEGIN BY SHOWING THE GOAT THE HARNESS PIECES.   ALLOW HIM TO SEE IT, SMELL IT AND TOUCH IT.  MAKE SURE HE IS TIED OR HELD BY THE COLLAR OR HALTER BY YOUR ASSISTANT.  TAKE THE STRAPS AND RUB THEM OVER HIS BACK AND ACROSS HIS BODY UNTIL HE GETS COMFORTABLE WITH THE IDEA. IF HE IS NOT COOPERATIVE ALWAYS GO BACK A STEP AND THEN TRY AGAIN.  ALWAYS ENCOURAGE HIM WITH YOUR CALMING VOICE. PLACE THE BACKSTRAP OVER HIS BACK AND ATTACH THE BELLY BAND LOOSELY AT FIRST.  IF THE BREECHING IS ATTACHED TO YOUR BACK STRAP BE SURE TO LOOP THE LOOSE ENDS THAT WOULD ATTACH TO THE FILS OR SHAFTS UP THROUGH THE SHAFT LOOPS SO YOUR GOAT WON'T STEP ON THEM. WALK HIM AROUND UNTIL HE GETS USED TO THIS PART OF THE HARNESS AND CAN FOLLOW HIS "GIT UP",  "WHOA" AND "BACK" COMMANDS.  IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS AND MANY TRYS TO GET HIM USED TO THE IDEA. GRADUALLY TIGHTEN THE BELLY BAND AS HE GETS USED TO THE TIGHTNESS AROUND HIS WAIST.  YOU CAN NOW ADD THE BREAST COLLAR WITH ATTACHED TRACES. LAY THE TRACES ACROSS HIS BACK AT FIRST.  LATER YOU CAN LET THEM DRAG ALONG THE GROUND ON EACH SIDE OF HIM SO HE CAN GET USED TO SOMETHING BEING THERE.  IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ADJUST THE BREAST COLLAR SO IT IS NOT TOO HIGH ON HIS CHEST BECAUSE IT WILL PRESS ON THE NECK AND WINDPIPE.  IT SHOULD NOT BE TOO LOW EITHER, AS IT WILL RESTRICT LEG MOVEMENT. ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE HARNESS IT IS TIME TO INTRODUCE THE BRIDLE.  SOME BRIDLES HAVE BITS THAT GO IN THE GOATS MOUTH. IT YOU PURCHASE OR MAKE A BRIDLE THAT HAS A BIT YOU WILL WANT TO BE SURE TO FIT IT PROPERLY IN HIS MOUTH. IT SHOULD JUST TOUCH THE UPPER CORNERS OF HIS MOUTH WITHOUT CAUSING WRINKLES.  PLACE THE BIT IN THE MOUTH VERY GENTLY SO YOU DO NOT BANG HIS TEETH. YOU MUST HAVE A VERY GENTLE HAND ON THE REINS IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE A BIT. MANY PEOPLE THAT DRIVE GOATS USE A BIT.  IN THE 4-H PROGRAM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WE HAVE GOTTEN ALONG FINE WITHOUT THEM AND FIND THE GOATS EASY ENOUGH TO MANAGE.    FOR OUR PURPOSES IN THIS TRAINING WE WILL NOT BE USING A BIT.  LEAVE THE COLLAR ON YOUR GOAT WHILE PUTTING ON THE BRIDLE.  YOUR ASSISTANT WILL FIND IT MUCH EASIER TO HELP YOU KEEP CONTROL OF YOUR GOAT IF THEY USE A LEAD ROPE ON THE COLLAR AND DO NOT PULL ON THE BRIDLE.  IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE YOU GET HIM TO TOLERATE YOUR PUTTING ON THE BRIDLE.                           VERBALLY PRAISE YOUR GOAT OFTEN!     SAY "GOOD BOY".    STEP 3: LINE-DRIVING TRAIN YOUR GOAT TO MOVE BY USING THE REINS TO DIRECT HIM AFTER YOU HAVE ALL THE PIECES OF THE HARNESS ON YOUR GOAT YOU CAN TAKE UP THE REINS AND STAND BEHIND YOUR GOAT WHILE YOUR ASSISTANT HOLDS YOUR GOAT'S COLLAR. DO NOT PUT THE REINS THROUGH THE BACKSTRAP RINGS YET.   PRACTICE YOUR "GIT UP" AND "WHOA" COMMANDS AS WELL AS THE BACK COMMAND.  FOR THE "GIT UP: COMMAND YOU MIGHT TRY GENTLY TAPPING THE REINS ON TOP OF THE GOATS BACK AND FOR THE "WHOA" COMMAND YOU CAN GENTLY TUG BACK ON THE REINS.  REMEMBER THE REINS SHOULD NOT HAVE A CONSTANT PULLING PRESSURE ON THEM HOWEVER YOU contin-   INTRO TO TEACHING YOUR GOAT TO DRIVE- Page 3 BY CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON  STEP 3:  LINE-DRIVING - CONTINUED SHOULD HOLD THEM TIGHT ENOUGH THAT YOU ALWAYS HAVE CONTACT WITH HIS HEAD AND THERE IS NO SLACK IN THE REINS. A NEW COMMAND TO INTRODUCE NOW IS STAND.   AFTER YOU HAVE BROUGHT YOUR GOAT TO A STOP COMMAND HIM TO STAND.  AT FIRST JUST PRACTICE STANDING FOR VERY SHORT PERIODS OF TIME AND THEN LENGTHEN THE TIME AS YOUR ANIMAL BECOMES MORE SUCCESSFUL. NOW YOU NEED TO INTRODUCE THE COMMANDS "LEFT" AND "RIGHT" OR "GEE" AND "HAW". WHATEVER TERMS YOU DECIDE TO USE YOU MUST USE THEM CONSISTENTLY.  WHILE YOUR HELPER IS AT THE GOATS HEAD HOLDING HIS COLLAR YOU SHOULD BE STANDING BEHIND HIM HOLDING ONE REIN IN EACH HAND. THE REINS SHOULD NOT BE THROUGH THE BACKSTRAP RINGS AT THIS TIME.  WHILE USING THE COMMAND "LEFT" OR "GEE" TUG GENTLY WITH THE LEFT REIN, PULLING IT OUT AWAY FROM YOUR BODY AS YOU DO SO.  AT THE SAME TIME YOUR HELPER SHOULD BE GUIDING THE GOATS HEAD AND BODY AROUND TO THE LEFT AS WELL.  DO THE SAME FOR "RIGHT' OR "HAW".  PRACTICE THIS FOR SEVERAL DAYS OR WEEKS UNTIL YOUR GOAT CAN MASTER ALL THE COMMANDS WELL.  WHEN YOUR GOAT BEGINS TO UNDERSTAND YOUR TURNING COMMANDS AND SIGNALS WITH THE REINS YOU CAN TRY RUNNING THE REINS THROUGH THE BACKSTRAP RINGS.  AS YOUR GOAT MAKES PROGRESS IN HIS TRAINING YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE YOUR HELPER HOLD ONLY THE LEADROPE ATTACHED TO THE COLLAR AND FINALLY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE YOUR ASSISTANT STAND BACK WITH YOU BEHIND THE GOAT AND ONLY GO UP TO THE GOATS HEAD TO HELP WHEN NEEDED. IF YOUR GOAT GETS UPSET DURING HIS TRAINING, SIMPLY STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, CALM HIM AND THEN TRY AGAIN. NOTE:  YOU NEED TO BE VERY PATIENT AND ENCOURAGING DURING THIS STAGE OF THE TRAINING. YOU WILL EITHER MAKE IT OR BREAK IT HERE.  IF THINGS ARE NOT GOING WELL, DON'T BE AFRAID TO BACK UP A STAGE IN HIS TRAINING AND CONTINUE FROM THERE.  DO NOT RAISE YOUR VOICE. PAT HIM AND PRAISE HIM OFTEN AND GIVE HIM A SMALL REWARD AFTER A GOOD TRAINING SESSION.  THIS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BITE OF GRAIN OR SOMETHING HE LIKES. SPEND ONLY ENOUGH TIME EACH DAY TO FEEL SOME SUCCESS AND BE SURE TO FINISH EACH TRAINING BEFORE YOUR GOAT BECOMES TIRED, FRUSTRATED, CONFUSED OR DISCOURAGED. KNOW WHEN TO QUIT AND END ON A GOOD NOTE ALWAYS. STEP 4: POLE- SKIDDING OR DRAGGING YOUR GOAT WILL LEARN: TO PULL BY LEANING INTO THE BREAST COLLAR TO HAVE THE TRACES LEANING ON HIS SIDES TO HAVE AN OBSTACLE OF SORTS GOING BEHIND HIM TO PULL EVEN WHEN THERE IS RESISTENCE    NOW THAT YOU HAVE YOUR GOAT WORKING COMFORTABLY WITH HIS HARNESS AND BRIDLE AND LINE DRIVING SMOOTHLY, IT IS TIME TO BEGIN TRAINING HIM TO PULL SOMETHING. BEGIN BY ATTACHING THE TRACES TO A  6 Ft. POLE PLACED HORIZONTALLY BEHIND YOUR GOAT ABOUT 2 FT. BEYOND HIS BACK LEGS.   ATTACH THE TRACES TO THE POLE ABOUT INTRO TO TEACHING YOUR GOAT TO DRIVE-Page 4 BY CHRISTINE LIVINGSTON STEP 4:   POLE- SKIDDING OR DRAGGING-CONTINUED 3 FT. APART, CENTERED ON THE POLE; USING SCREW EYE HOOKS TO ATTACH TO.  WHILE YOUR ASSISTANT HOLDS YOUR GOATS COLLAR AND LEAD ROPE YOU SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE POLE AND COMMAND YOUR GOAT TO "GIT UP".  YOUR HELPER CAN PULL ON THE COLLAR TO ENCOURAGE FORWARD PROGRESS. YOUR GOAT MAY STARTLE AND BOLT FORWARD SO BE PREPARED. PRACTICE MOVING HIM THROUGH HIS PACES UNTIL HE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH POLE-SKIDDING AND CAN MAKE TURNS AROUND OBSTACLES AND DO FIGURE 8'S. AS YOUR GOAT IMPROVES YOU WILL NOT NEED YOUR HELPER AT HIS HEAD.  ALWAYS HAVE THEM NEARBY TO HELP IF NEEDED THOUGH. YOU MIGHT DECIDE TO ATTACH WEIGHT TO YOUR DRAG IN SOME WAY SO THAT YOUR GOAT CAN GET USED TO DRAGGING UP TO 20LBS.  YOU SHOULD PLAN ON WORKING THROUGH THIS PHASE UNTIL YOU AND YOUR ANIMAL CAN WORK TOGETHER SUCCESSFULLY EACH TIME YOU HEAD OUT TO PRACTICE. REMEMBER YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS:  "GOOD BOY" AND "EASY".   SAY THEM SLOWLY AND CLEARLY IN A LOW,  SLOW, KIND VOICE. STEP 5: HITCHING TO THE CART BEGIN CART TRAINING THE EASIEST CART TO PULL IS A 4-WHEELED CART SINCE IT PLACES NO WEIGHT ON THE GOATS BACK.  THE SHAFTS OR FILS SHOULD BE WIDE ENOUGH FOR THE GOAT TO FIT COMFORTABLY BETWEEN THEM.  THE SHAFTS SHOULD ALSO BE LONG ENOUGH SO THE GOAT WON'T HIT HIS BACK LEGS ON THE CART AS HE WALKS OR TROTS. BEFORE YOU HITCH UP YOUR GOAT FOR THE FIRST TIME YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT THE TRAINING AREA TO BE SURE IT IS VOID OF ROOTS, ROCKS, HOLES OR OTHER OBSTACLES THAT COULD BE A DANGER OR IN THE WAY.  PUT YOUR GOAT THROUGH HIS LINE DRIVING AND POLE SKIDDING EXERCISES FOR A SHORT TIME BEFORE INTRODUCING THE CART. BRING THE CART OUT TO THE TRAINING AREA AND ALLOW YOUR GOAT TO SMELL, TOUCH AND CHECK IT OUT.  HAVE YOUR ASSISTANT PULL THE CART AROUND THE TRAINING AREA AND NEAR THE GOAT SO HE CAN SEE IT IN ACTION AND HEAR HOW IT SOUNDS. YOUR HELPER SHOULD HOLD THE GOAT'S COLLAR WHILE YOU HITCH HIM UP TO THE CART.  BEGIN BY SLIDING THE CART UP BEHIND HIM WITH THE SHAFTS UP IN THE AIR.  LOWER THE SHAFTS GENTLY INTO PLACE, PASSING THEM THROUGH THE LOOPS ON THE BACK PAD AND BELLY STRAP, CALLED THE SHAFT HOLDERS.  ATTACH THE TRACES TO THE CART.  YOU WILL THEN NEED TO ATTACH THE LOOSE STRAP ON THE BRITCHING TO THE METAL LOOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE SHAFT ON EACH SIDE. THIS WILL PREVENT THE CART FROM BUMPING THE GOAT WHEN HE STOPS SUDDENLY OR GOES DOWN HILLS.  SHOULD YOUR GOAT HAVE  PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THIS PROCESS YOU SHOULD TAKE A STEP BACK AND WORK FORWARD TO THIS SECTION AS HE BECOMES MORE COOPERATIVE.   THE FIRST TIME OUT YOU MAY ONLY WANT TO HITCH HIM UP AND HAVE HIM MOVE FORWARD A FEW TIMES AND THEN UN-HITCH HIM.  DON'T FORGET A VERBAL PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND A TREAT. STEP 6: DRIVING YOUR GOAT YOUR GOAT WILL LEARN TO: PULL THE WEIGHT OF THE CART FOLLOW YOUR COMMANDS WHILE PULLING A CART PULL YOU IN A CART WORK THROUGH AN OBSTACLE COURSE YOU HAVE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE FINAL STEP IN YOUR TRAINING. YOU AND YOUR GOAT HAVE BEEN WORKING REPETITIVELY, CONSISTENTLY AND PATIENTLY THROUGH ALL OF THE PRIOR STEPS.  NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO RUSH THROUGH THINGS. CONTINUE YOUR METHODICAL APPROACH AND YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL ADVENTURES TOGETHER. BEGIN BY HAVING YOUR ASSISTANT STAND AT YOUR GOAT'S HEAD HOLDING HIS COLLAR WHILE YOU STAND BEHIND THE CART HOLDING THE REINS.  ASK YOUR GOAT TO WORK THROUGH HIS PACES WHILE YOUR HELPER GUIDES HIM AS NECESSARY.  WALK, STOP, LEFT TURNS, RIGHT TURNS AND STAND.  SAVE THE BACKING FOR LATER AFTER YOU HAVE THE BASICS DOWN PAT. YOU CAN STILL PRACTICE BACKING WHILE HE IS IN HARNESS EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER HE HAS BEEN HITCHED TO THE CART.  AS HE BECOME MORE COMPLIANT AND RESPONSIVE TO YOUR VERBAL COMMANDS YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ASSISTANT STEP AWAY FROM HIS HEAD AND COME ALONG BEHIND THE CART WITH YOU.  THE NEXT STEP IS TO ADD SOME WEIGHT TO THE CART SUCH AS A 50LB. BAG OF GRAIN.  WHEN HE HAS NO PROBLEMS PULLING THAT AROUND IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO CLIMB ABOARD AND DRIVE YOUR GOAT FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT!  KEEP YOUR ASSISTANT NEARBY IN CASE YOUR GOAT GETS UPSET AND NEEDS TO HAVE HIS COLLAR HELD TO CALM HIM.  PRACTICE HAVING HIM MANEUVER AROUND CONES AND BETWEEN PLANKS PLACED ON THE GROUND. WHEN HE CAN DO THESE THINGS WELL IT IS TIME TO BEGIN YOUR BACKING TRAINING.  YOUR ASSISTANT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP BY ENCOURAGING YOUR ANIMAL WITH A HAND ON THE COLLAR OR ON HIS SHOULDER TO PERSUADE HIM TO BACK UP.  AT FIRST JUST GO FORWARD A FEW STEPS AND THEN PROGRESS TO 8 TO 10 FT BACKWARD. WHEN HE GETS BETTER AT IT TRY PULLING UP BETWEEN TO BOARDS LAID OUT ON THE GROUND AND THEN BACKING THROUGH THEM. TWO ACCESSORIES TO YOUR HARNESS MAY BE OF ASSISTANCE AT THIS POINT IN YOUR TRAINING. THE FIRST ACCESSORY IS CALLED A MARTINGALE, WHICH ATTACHS UNDER THE GOATS CHIN, AND GOES DOWN AND ATTACHS TO THE BELLY BAND BETWEEN THE GOATS FRONT LEGS.  THIS PREVENTS THE GOAT FROM RAISING HIS HEAD TOO HIGH AND IS PARTICULARLY HANDY WHEN TEACHING THEM TO BACK.  THE SECOND HARNESS ACCESSORY IS CALLED A CHECK REIN.  THE CHECK REIN GOES FROM THE TOP OF THE BRIDLE HEADPIECE BETWEEN THE EARS AND RUNS DOWN OVER THE TOP OF THE NECK AND ATTACHS TO THE TOP OF THE BACK PAD.  THIS WILL PREVENT YOUR GOAT FROM REACHING HIS HEAD DOWN AND GRAZING ON THE GROUND. DON'T ATTACH IT TOO TIGHTLY THOUGH OR HE WON'T BE ABLE TO LOWER HIS HEAD AND STRETCH OUT HIS NECK ENOUGH TO LEAN INTO THE HARNESS AND PULL PROPERLY OR EFFICIENTLY. YOU MAY NOW ALSO BEGIN PRACTICE WITH HAVING YOUR GOAT TROT ALONG WHILE PULLING THE CART. I HAVE GIVEN YOU THE FUNDAMENTALS OF TRAINING YOUR GOAT TO DRIVE. THE STEPS INCLUDE: 1.LEAD TRAINING 2. INTRODUCTION TO BRIDLE AND HARNESS 3.LINE DRIVING 4.POLE SKIDDING 5.HITCHING TO THE CART 6.DRIVING YOUR GOAT Some Great resources for Goat harness equipment and information: JEFFERS P.O. BOX 100 DOTHAN, AL 36301-0100 PHONE: 1-800-JEFFERS    ( 533-3377)    ALTERNATIVE LIVESTOCK SUPPLY 33217 BELLINGER SCALE ROAD LEBANON, OR  97355 (800) 638-4689 THE TACK ROOM 1211 SO. GOLD ST. CENTRALIA, WA  98531 (360) 736-2873
*