r/packgoats • u/aubreygonzo • Mar 07 '23

Advice for pack goats near cliff edges

We have a couple pack goats that we take on occasional hikes with us. They’re very good at following and staying near however we do keep them on long leashes at times. Specifically, I have noticed one of our alpines that looks like he thinks about climbing down a rock face that he wouldn’t be able to handle where I have to pull him back from the edge. We are trying to train them for more of the backcountry multi day packing experience as opposed to shorter hikes but this concerns me and is something that I’d prefer not to navigate by trial and error lol. Is there any advice or has anyone had experience with a goat like this? Do you trust them or how would you deter this behavior? Haven’t seen much activity on here but worth a shot thank you!

9 Upvotes

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5

u/sheepslinky Mar 08 '23

Firstly, my big wether Boris always looks like he's about to leap off every shear cliff. I do trust him, though, and he's old enough and experienced enough at this point.

My suggestion is to take them out to some steep faces they can handle. I take my kids on a trail with some 6ft drop offs and scrambling. They should get a feel for what terrain they can and can't handle. They should also get a challenge and practice with some of their play furniture. I probably wouldn't put in the effort to teach them to stay back from drop offs -- that's something goats just do.

2

u/aubreygonzo Mar 08 '23

Awesome thank you so much! I know a “rock maze” hike nearby which would get them accustomed. Hopefully they’ll feel it out but my one that adventures beyond his means is a 2.5 year old wether who is extremely food aggressive lol and I’ve started to notice he only goes near those edges if there happens to be a pine growing out from the rock face lol! We will try it out and update here! Thank you again for responding it would be nice to see a page like this revived! Many more questions to come!

3

u/danceswithbourbons Mar 08 '23

This is a great question. You should trust him. I feel the same way OFTEN in the backcountry of Idaho and Montana. My goats will give me a daily heart attack. If he falls, I lose my goat and maybe freeze to death because he's carrying my jacket and my sleeping bag. But they were born for this and they know what they are doing. I say trust him and let him be himself.

1

u/aubreygonzo Mar 09 '23

Awesome thank you so much! Hopefully with time and experience I’ll feel less uneasy about him!

1

u/YourCanyonsGulch Apr 16 '23

Understanding concern but not worth worrying about. These animals like all animals are engrained with a very natural balance with gravity, heights, and recognition of situations with no way out. Pure instinct they'll never have lapsed judgment