Draft Goat Resources
Our first draft goat was Yin - the first colored kid born on our farm in 1995. Although we thought he was going to be a breeding buck we discovered he had an undescended testicle. We couldn't part with him, but he had to have a job to earn his keep - he became the Public Relations goat by being trained to pull a cart at fairs and festivals.
Since then we have had a variety of goats trained to pull in harness and in yoke. Currently we have a 4 year old gray wether single in harness and he and his new buddy 1 1/2 year old white buck working in yoke.
Anyone interested in using goats for draft - especially in Maine and New Hampshire - for fun, work around the farm, or for exhibition is welcome to contact me. Below is a list of resources I have gathered with links to various sites for more information.
Great New Info:
This is a feature from cheesemaking.com Newsletter
This features a 16 year old goat trainer and videos made by her sister!
http://blog.cheesemaking.com/training-a-goat-to-pull-by-julia-biegel/
Draft Goat Resources/Links:
Books:
The Backyard Goat - Sue Weaver, Storey Publishing, 2011
Equipment
Hoegger Goat Supply
http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/xcart/
Halters, harnesses, wagons
K-9 Carting
carts, shafts, team poles
Dog Works
lightweight single & double trees/levelers
Quality Llama Products & Alternative Livestock Supply
https://www.llamaproducts.com/
Halters, bridles, harnesses, carts
Great Goat Gear
Halters, bridles with bits, harnesses
Carter Pet Supply
Working Harnesses on ebay or at https://carterpetsupply.com/t/goat
Articles & General Information
Working Goats Website
http://www.workinggoats.com/?id=73
Packing and draft, many pictures and training tips
Harness Goat Society – Great Britain
http://www.harnessgoats.co.uk/
Great pictures
Goat Tracks Magazine and American Harness Goat Association
http://northwestpackgoats.com/
4-H Harness Goat Project
http://4h.ansci.cornell.edu/files/2013/11/harness_goat-vk0wdl.pdf
Outstanding information on all aspects training, making equipment, & competitions
DW Farms Harness Goats
http://workinggoats.tripod.com/id2.html
http://workinggoats.tripod.com/id6.html
Good pictures of team set ups, breast & collar style harnesses
Here is a youtube video that shows how simple it can be to do a goat cart and good training steps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC-xvArwrnY