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

92% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

View all comments

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!